ICRISAT Archival Report 2010
ICRISAT Archival Report 2010
ICRISAT Archival Report 2010
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
<strong>Archival</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />
<strong>2010</strong>
Contents<br />
Project 1:<br />
Project 2:<br />
Project 3:<br />
Project 4:<br />
Project 5:<br />
Project 6:<br />
Project 7:<br />
Project 8:<br />
Project 9:<br />
Improving policies and facilitating institutional innovation, markets and impact<br />
to support the sustained reduction of poverty and hunger in the SAT<br />
Sustaining biodiversity of Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Small Millets, Groundnut,<br />
Pigeonpea and Chickpea for current and future generations<br />
Producing more and better food of the staple cereals and legumes of the west<br />
and Centra; African (WCA) SAT (sorghum, pearl millet and groundnut)<br />
through genetic improvement<br />
Producing more and better food from staple cereals (sorghum and<br />
millets) and legumes (groundnuts, chickpea and pigeonpea) at lower<br />
cost in the eastern and southern African (ESA) SAT through genetic<br />
improvement<br />
Producing more and better food at lower cost of staple cereal and legume<br />
hybrids in the Asian SAT (sorghum, pearl millet and pigeonpea) through<br />
genetic improvement<br />
Producing More and Better Food at Lower Cost of Stable Open-Pollinated<br />
Cereals and Legumes (Sorghum, Pigeonpea, Chickpea and Groundnut)<br />
Through Genetic Improvement in the Asian SAT<br />
Reducing Rural Poverty through Agricultural Diversification and<br />
merging Opportunities for High-Value Commodities and Products<br />
Poverty alleviation and sustainable management of water, land, livestock and<br />
forest resources, particularly at the desert margins of the Sahel and the drylands<br />
of ESA (SSA Desert Margins Program SWEP)<br />
The project has been terminated<br />
Poverty alleviation and sustainable management of land, water, livestock<br />
and forest resources through sustainable agro-ecological intensification in lowand<br />
high potential environments of the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia<br />
1<br />
62<br />
137<br />
173<br />
196<br />
250<br />
317<br />
338<br />
Project 10: Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics in SAT Asia and WCA 356<br />
Publications 364
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> <strong>Archival</strong> <strong>Report</strong> <strong>2010</strong><br />
MTP Project 1:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Improving policies and facilitating institutional innovation, markets and impact<br />
to support the sustained reduction of poverty and hunger in the SAT<br />
Cynthia Bantilan<br />
Project profile:<br />
This project is implemented in accordance with CGIAR System Priority 5 -- Improving policies and facilitating<br />
institutional innovation, markets and impact to support the sustained reduction of poverty and hunger. It<br />
specifically covers priorities 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D. This project provides the essential social science context for<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> research. Strategic assessments for agricultural and economic growth in the semi-arid tropics are<br />
vital. This project also focuses on mapping the complex development pathways and alternative livelihood<br />
options to help make critical interventions to address poverty, vulnerability, marginalization and social<br />
exclusion.<br />
Project 1 is coordinated through the Global Theme on Institutions, Markets, Policy and Impacts. The project<br />
implements social science and policy research at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> with focus on improving policies and facilitating<br />
institutional innovation, markets and impact to support the sustained reduction of poverty and hunger in the<br />
SAT. <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s social science and policy research thrust is to inform and provide strategic direction and<br />
prioritization of research issues within an IGNRM context and to provide appropriate capacity building. It<br />
scrutinizes the key driving factors influencing farmer to market linkages, optimal input and output options<br />
(including seed systems) and more effective policy and impact generation. Through social science and policy<br />
research, the Institute builds an enhanced capacity to help generate pro-poor policies, tools, lessons, and<br />
investment guidelines that contribute to improved food security, livelihood resilience and poverty reduction<br />
while protecting the environment of the production systems in the semi-arid tropics. As the poor faces a wide<br />
range of social and economic constraints, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> maintains a constant communication with them through<br />
village level studies to understand their needs and seek solutions. In this way, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> generates and shares<br />
vital information and analytical tools that provide a rational foundation for decisions that will benefit poor<br />
farmers and consumers.<br />
Objectives<br />
• Evaluate and develop alternative institutional arrangements and policy options for expanding<br />
access and utilization of new technologies and services for smallholder producers for greater<br />
impact of agricultural innovations on poverty and sustainable management of SAT agroecosystems<br />
(links to System Priority 5A)<br />
• Develop and promote strategies that enhance market access and competitiveness of dryland<br />
commodities for smallholder farmers and agro-enterprises and food safety for consumers (links to<br />
System Priority 5B)<br />
• Examine, develop and promote strategies for strengthening rural institutions and pro-poor<br />
institutional change to improve access of smallholders to markets and technologies and reducing<br />
vulnerability of livelihoods (links to System Priority 5C)<br />
• Analyze the effectiveness of agricultural and rural development strategies and identify<br />
development pathways and policies that facilitate poverty reduction and livelihood protection<br />
under chronic and transitory emergencies (links to System Priority 5D)<br />
In the MTP <strong>2010</strong>-2012, Project 1 targeted ten outputs to be achieved through social science research focusing on<br />
four research areas: (1) strategic assessments, (2) rural livelihoods and development pathways, (3) market<br />
studies, outlooks, and institutional innovations, and (4) research priority and impact assessment. The research<br />
area on strategic assessments seeks to identify major changes, emerging trends, driving factors influencing<br />
agricultural transformation in the SAT, and their implications for <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s longer-term research priorities and<br />
overall research strategy. Research in rural livelihoods and development pathways addresses issues related to<br />
poverty dynamics. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> is revitalizing its Village Level Studies (VLS) to track changes in rural poverty in<br />
rural household and village economies. Research in market studies, outlooks and institutional innovations draws<br />
lessons learned from market and institutional studies and prospects for SAT mandate crops, as well as conduct<br />
research on market linkages and commercialization for technology uptake. Finally, the focus on research<br />
priority and impact assessment studies is to continue to develop analytical methods for assessment of impacts,<br />
thereby strengthening institutional capacity for analyzing impact pathways within <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and among NARS,<br />
and provide technical backstopping for adoption and impact assessment research in the other Global Themes.<br />
1
GT-IMPI commenced several major projects classified under 4 research thrusts commencing 2008-09. These are<br />
mainstreamed in accordance with <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s strategic plan. Most are global projects covering South Asia, ESA<br />
and WCA and multi-disciplinary, undertaken in collaboration with the other <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Global Themes, namely<br />
GT- Crop Improvement, GT- Agroecosystems and KMS. These projects usually encompass more than one of<br />
the priority focal areas mentioned above. The major projects with GT-IMPI include<br />
• Village Level Studies:<br />
o Asia: Tracking rural poverty in village and household economies in south Asia funded by the<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with IRRI and NCAP<br />
o Sub-Saharan Africa: (Alastair Orr to give for ESA and Jupiter to give for WCA)<br />
o West Africa: Assessing the dynamics of poverty and land degradation in the Sahelian<br />
countries of West Africa from IDRC<br />
• Vulnerability and Climate Change<br />
o Asia: Climate Change: Vulnerability to Climate change: adaptation strategies and layers of<br />
resilience funded by the Asian Development Bank in partnership with national program<br />
partners in 7 countries of Asia namely India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, Sri Lanka,<br />
Thailand and Vietnam<br />
o Case Studies of Sustainable land and water management Approaches to Mitigate and Reduce<br />
Vulnerability to Climate Change in Sub-Saharan Africa: The case of the Tahoua Region in<br />
Niger<br />
• Targeting for improved crop productivity and delivery<br />
o Enhancing grain legumes’ productivity, and production and the incomes of poor farmers in<br />
drought-prone areas of sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia funded by the Bill and Melinda<br />
Gates Foundation in partnership with IITA and CIAT<br />
o Harnessing the True Potential of Legumes: Economic and Knowledge Empowerment of Poor<br />
Rainfed Farmers in Asia” funded by IFAD<br />
o Programme for Integrated Innovations for Improving Legumes Productivity, Market Linkages<br />
and Risk Management in Eastern and Southern Africa” funded by IFAD<br />
o HOPE for the drylands – Cereals Project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in<br />
partnership with<br />
• Strategic Assessments<br />
o <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Research spillover benefits in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa<br />
o IPG Potential of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> downstream research<br />
o Global Futures for Agriculture: Integrated modeling and scenario assessment for research<br />
evaluation<br />
Highlights for <strong>2010</strong><br />
Significant IPGs<br />
Publications that enhance knowledge of (1) constraints to adoption of improved legume varieties in ESA (2)<br />
markets and economic outlook for chickpea and groundnut in ESA (3) the role of legumes in livelihoods of<br />
resource-poor farmers in ESA.<br />
Outcomes and impacts achieved<br />
Socio-economists from Agricultural Research Institutes in Ethiopia have received training through the HOPE<br />
project on (1) design, pretest and implementation of baseline surveys to gauge adoption and impacts and<br />
(2) conduct value chain analysis and analyse market constraints and potential.<br />
Research partnerships developed with East African Grain Council, KARI, DRD and EIAR to develop shared<br />
research programme to understand the market potential for sorghum and millet in ESA.<br />
ESA socio-economics database was designed and protocols developed to create archive available to researchers<br />
in ESA region.<br />
2
Achievements in <strong>2010</strong><br />
MTP Output 1: Best innovative practices and mechanisms for harmonization and utilization of seed-related<br />
and biosafety regulations and policies suitable for the specific conditions of the SAT piloted, promoted and<br />
adopted with new knowledge shared with partners. [This output is shared regionally with projects 3 and 4]<br />
System Priority 5: Improving policies and facilitating institutional innovation to support sustainable reduction<br />
of poverty and hunger<br />
Priority 5A: Improving Science and Technology Policies and Institutions<br />
Priority 5A, Specific goal 3: Improving incentives for technology generation, access and use<br />
This research area is closely linked to that of Projects 3-6 but as a global generic policy issue it is felt it would<br />
be better to address it as a whole in Project 1 rather than to disarticulate it between 4 other projects.<br />
Project: Seed Policy Harmonization (SCOSA)<br />
MTP Output target in <strong>2010</strong> 1.1.1 Best practices for harmonization of seed-related regulations and policies<br />
suitable for the specific conditions of the ASARECA (<strong>2010</strong>) region promoted<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland,<br />
South Africa, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Seed security is a precursor to food security because its availability and quality determine the potential to crop<br />
production and productivity. In the SADC region, however, good quality seed of improved varieties is not<br />
available, especially to small scale farmers who are responsible for ensuring household, national and regional<br />
food security.<br />
Main findings:<br />
This Project covered the entire SADC countries and worked with several partners—of national and international<br />
character, the main one being Iowa State University. The Project covered all the 15 countries pf SADC but in<br />
practice Seychelles has had no activities because the economy is not basically agriculture. This Project has been<br />
very rewarding in harmonization of variety evaluation, release and registration procedures, seed certification,<br />
phytosanitary measures as well as plant variety protection for the SADC region. Seed can now cross national<br />
boundaries with minimal hassle as the agreements on the aforementioned seed areas have received endorsement<br />
from the highest level of government. The Project was funded by USAID, Southern Africa Office. USAID is in<br />
the process of determining what should be the next set of priorities for the region in this field and at the moment<br />
there is a consulting firm going around the region to identify areas of high impact that will later, then, probably<br />
be funded.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Iowa State University, private sector seed Companies, National Seed Trade Associations in the SADC countries<br />
and the NARES of SADC<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
USAID project funding facilitated this activity at a funding level of US $ 350,000<br />
MTP Output 2: Ex-ante and ex-post impact studies conducted on representative <strong>ICRISAT</strong> NARS innovations<br />
for the SAT to enhance accountability and facilitate priority setting<br />
Priority 5A, Specific goal 5: Enhancing the structure, conduct and performance of knowledge-intensive<br />
institutions<br />
3
Intermediate Output target <strong>2010</strong>: Global Futures for Agriculture: Integrated Modeling and Scenario<br />
Assessment for Ex-ante Research Evaluation<br />
Output Target <strong>2010</strong>: <strong>Report</strong> on ICRSAT mandate crops/systems productivity and potential<br />
Background and Rationale: Rising incomes and globalization place unprecedented demands on agricultural<br />
systems around the world. Natural resource degradation and climate change pose global risks for food security<br />
and the environment. Enhancing the productivity and sustainability of agricultural systems is essential to<br />
improve the well-being of the developing world population and thus reduce poverty.<br />
The goal of this research is to deepen the understanding of complex linkages among socio-economic and<br />
environmental change, the functioning of agricultural systems and human well-being. The product will be a<br />
comprehensive modeling environment integrating socio-economic, bio-physical and technological responses<br />
that can simulate global, regional, and local consequences of policy changes and technology based investments.<br />
The model will provide a much improved platform upon which international organizations, agricultural research<br />
centers, development agencies, and national governments can base strategic planning and investment decisions.<br />
Achievement of output target:<br />
75%<br />
Literature review and documentation of promising technologies developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> were completed and<br />
initiated report drafting on “Dryland crops/systems research in a changing world”<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Global project<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, IFPRI, IRRI, CIMMYT, CIAT, CIP, ILRI<br />
Objectives:<br />
Compilation of relevant literature and report on <strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crop system productivity and potential<br />
Methodology:<br />
To document promising technologies developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, a detailed review of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> annual report,<br />
publications from Global themes like crop improvement, biotechnology and agro ecosystem were carried out.<br />
To understand the current research activities at institute level and the targeting traits to improve the crop<br />
productivity in the changing environment and economic conditions, number of face to face interactions with the<br />
scientists was arranged. Finally to document the promising technologies developed in the last 3-5 years and<br />
promising technologies that are under development, a qualitative survey methodology namely Delphi technique<br />
was used.<br />
Data on biophysical and socio-economic variables for the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops are primarily obtained from<br />
existing data at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and from secondary sources such as FAOSTAT, published documents and various<br />
national reports. The secondary data comprised of aggregate data on global, regional and national production,<br />
yield, area, and data on export and import volumes and global and national price trends over years.<br />
The secondary data for <strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops was also collected from situation and outlook reports prepared<br />
for other project like Tropical Legumes II and HOPE project.<br />
Progress / Results:<br />
Using the Delphi survey information, the promising technologies developed in the last 3-5 years and<br />
technologies under development or ready for dissemination in the next 5 years were documented for <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
mandate crops. The survey results shows that the research efforts is mainly concentrated in using advanced<br />
breeding and biotechnology methods in developing technologies to improve the yield potential of the mandate<br />
crops under the changing environment and economic conditions like climate change, new pest and diseases<br />
outbreak, higher fuel-fodder demand, marginal or problematic soils, etc. The survey also identified the potential<br />
or the advantage of the new technologies over the existing technologies, important targeted traits of the crops<br />
and targeted region for the new technologies.<br />
4
The list of promising technologies<br />
Pearl Millet Sorghum Groundnut Chickpea Pigeonpea<br />
• Drought tolerant • Sweet Sorghum S • Drought tolerant • Heat tolerant • ICPH 2671 –<br />
pearl millet hybrid 35 and NTJ 2 groundnut ICGV breeding lines hybrid based on<br />
HHB 67 Improved<br />
91114<br />
cytoplasmic male<br />
• Stay-green<br />
• Extra-large sterility (CMS)<br />
• Blast resistant sorghum variety S • ICGV 00350 seeded Kabuli system<br />
pearl millet hybrid<br />
HHB 146<br />
35<br />
breeding lines<br />
• Screening for salt<br />
/acid tolerant<br />
parental line<br />
• ICMV 221<br />
• ICMV 95490<br />
• Resistant cultivars<br />
for shoot fly, stem<br />
borer, sorghum<br />
midge<br />
• Super-early<br />
chickpea<br />
breeding lines<br />
• Helicoverpa<br />
resistant cultivar<br />
in chickpea<br />
• Helicoverpa<br />
resistant cultivar in<br />
pigeonpea<br />
These results were presented in the Virtual Crop Model workshop organized by IFPRI on 22-24 th October, <strong>2010</strong><br />
at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Hyderabad to discuss and select the important promising technologies to develop virtual crop<br />
model using DSSAT crop simulation model. The virtual crop model is used to generate relevant crop yield<br />
coefficients for the target regions to incorporate in the International Model for Policy Analysis of Agricultural<br />
Commodities and Trade (IMPACT) model to evaluate the ex-ante benefits of the technologies under different<br />
climate change and socio-economic scenarios.<br />
To undertake the research evaluation using the integrated modeling framework like IMPACT model, a series of<br />
training program was conducted in October, <strong>2010</strong> for the project partners on DSSAT crop growth model, Spatial<br />
crop modeling using HPC and advanced IMPACT model.<br />
Special project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.2.1 Early adoption studies on chick pea, pigeon pea and groundnut in selected<br />
countries<br />
ESA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Countries Involved: Ethiopia (Tropical Legumes II), Tanzania (Treasure Legumes), Malawi (Treasure<br />
Legumes/Tropical Legumes II)<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Identify scale and determinants of adoption of target legumes<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
In Ethiopia a combination of stratified and purposive sampling methods was used to select the three districts<br />
included in the survey in the project target areas, namely Gimbichu, Lume-Ejere and Minjar-Shenkora. These<br />
districts represent one of the major chickpea growing areas in the country where new varieties are beginning to<br />
be adopted by farmers. Eight kebeles from each of Gimbichu and Lume-Ejere districts and ten kebeles from<br />
Minjar-Shenkora district were randomly selected from where a random sample of 700 households was selected<br />
for detailed household survey. This include 400 households in the two districts (Minjar-Shenkora and<br />
Gimbichu) targeted under the TL-II project and 300 households in the one district (Lume-Ejere) selected for<br />
IFAD project. Village level data was also collected from about 40 villages that fall within the 26 kebeles.<br />
EIAR/DZARC took the lead for the baseline survey in Ethiopia. While the larger datasets help understand the<br />
5
oader production and market constraints for chickpea in Ethiopia, the data from the 400 households will be<br />
relevant in evaluating the adoption and impact of the TL-II project.<br />
A repeat survey for the same households was made in <strong>2010</strong>. Only 663 households could be interviewed, giving<br />
an attrition rate of about 5 %. The main reasons for attrition were refusal to be re-interviewed and missed<br />
identity of the household, where the identity of the household did not match that of the first survey.<br />
Table 1: Regional distribution of survey respondents<br />
Districts<br />
Total<br />
households<br />
(Number)<br />
Total<br />
Kebeles<br />
(Number)<br />
Sample<br />
Kebeles<br />
(Number)<br />
Sampled households<br />
(Number )<br />
2008 <strong>2010</strong><br />
Gimbichu 12,316 10 8 149 148<br />
Lume-Ejere 14,563 13 8 300 275<br />
Minjar-Shenkora 14,991 18 10 251 240<br />
All 41,870 41 26 700<br />
663<br />
In Malawi, the baseline survey had been conducted in 2008. A combination of stratified and purposive sampling<br />
methods had been used to select four districts (Chiradzulu, Thyolo, Balaka and Mchinji) that were included in<br />
the baseline survey. An early adoption / repeat survey was conducted in July-August <strong>2010</strong> in the same districts<br />
and the same households. This has led to the creation of a panel data for the sampled households. In each of the<br />
selected districts, during the baseline, the first stage in household selection involved the purposeful selection of<br />
the four largest groundnut-producing Sections (for the groundnut producing zones), or the four largest<br />
pigeonpea producing sections (for the pigeonpea producing districts). This led to the selection of four (4)<br />
sections in each district and consequently 16 sections for the study area. Second, a complete list of all the<br />
villages in each section was drawn with the help of the heads of Extension Planning Areas (EPA) and their staff.<br />
Three villages were randomly selected from each section. Third, a complete list of all farm families was then<br />
drawn for each of the randomly sampled villages. Thirteen farmers were randomly sampled from a list of farm<br />
families in each village. This led to the sampling of 594 households for the baseline household survey.<br />
In Tanzania, the data for the baseline had been collected by the International Crops Research Institute for the<br />
semi-Arid Tropics (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>), in collaboration with the Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) between<br />
November and December 2008. The data were collected through a household survey conducted in four key<br />
pigeonpea growing Districts in the Northern Zone: Kondoa, Karatu, Babati and Arumeru. In each District, three<br />
major pigeonpea growing Divisions were selected and two Wards sampled in each of the Divisions. Twenty five<br />
farmers were then randomly sampled from a list of farm families in each village and ward. A total of 613 farm<br />
households were surveyed using a standardized survey instrument administered by trained enumerators.<br />
An early adoption / repeat survey was conducted in October-November <strong>2010</strong> in the same districts and the same<br />
households which has led to the creation of a panel data for the sampled households. Data collected includes<br />
household composition and characteristics, land and non-land farm assets, livestock ownership, household<br />
membership in different rural institutions, farmer knowledge and cultivation of improved varieties, inputs used<br />
costs of production, yield data for different crop types, indicators of access to infrastructure, household market<br />
participation, household income sources and major consumption expenses.<br />
Main findings/Results:<br />
Data for Ethiopia was entered in SPSS for analysis. Due to the resignation of the lead scientist a consultant was<br />
hired to make the analysis and write the report for Ethiopia, which will be completed by February <strong>2010</strong>. The<br />
analysis will use data for the 633 households for which we have panel data.<br />
Data from a repeat survey collected from Malawi was entered in SPSS for analysis. The analysis of the data has<br />
just begun and a report on early adoption and Impact will be completed by March <strong>2010</strong>. The analysis will use<br />
data for the households for which we have panel data. The data from Tanzania is not yet entered in SPSS as data<br />
collection will end on the 15 th of November <strong>2010</strong>. However, results based on the baseline data analysis indicate<br />
that there is significant potential for increasing the adoption of improved legume varieties in Eastern Africa.<br />
Lessons from this analysis showed that a critical constraint to the adoption of improved legume varieties was<br />
that farmers were not aware of these varieties. In Malawi, for example, where the overall adoption rate for<br />
improved pigeonpea varieties was 14 percent, while we estimated that, if all growers were aware, the adoption<br />
6
ate would be 41 percent. Hence, about one-third of the adoption gap (the difference between current adoption<br />
and potential adoption if farmers were fully aware) was explained simply by the fact that growers were ignorant<br />
about the existence of these new varieties. Similar results were found for groundnuts in Malawi, and pigeonpea<br />
in Tanzania, where the adoption gaps due to non-awareness were 12% and 34%, respectively. In Kenya the<br />
adoption gap of improved pigeonpea varieties due to non-awareness was 12%.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
Although there have been delays in conducting repeat surveys, we plan to complete data analysis and to write<br />
the report within the next 3 months.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Selian Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) in Tanzania<br />
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)<br />
Bunda College of Agriculture in Malawi<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
WCA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Data collection, entry and descriptive statistics completed.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Assess the level of diffusion of improved technologies (groundnut varieties) and innovations in Tropical<br />
Legumes sites and identify constraints limiting the diffusion of technologies and innovation.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Data were collected from the Dosso region in Niger in the TLII project region. A total of 33 villages were<br />
surveyed of which 11 villages were purposely selected i.e. where participatory variety selection was undertaken<br />
and seed production initiated. Eleven villages were selected 10 km around the project villages and 10 other<br />
villages 40 km from the project villages. In each project village, 15 households were selected and in each nonproject<br />
village, 5 households were selected. Therefore a total of 275 households were interviewed. Questions<br />
focused on similar questions as in the baseline survey. Thus questions included modules on (1) socioeconomic<br />
and demographic profile of the HHs, (2) diffusion mechanisms pathways including knowledge of varieties and<br />
sources of first information and adoption and dis-adoption of groundnut varieties; (3) household land stocks,<br />
equipment and livestock ownership; (4) household access to credit, (5) utilization, consumption and<br />
commercialization of groundnut, (6) household market transactions, and (7) input and output groundnut plot data.<br />
During the lifetime of the project in the Dosso region, more than 250 tons of certified and 1000 tons of quality<br />
declared seed have been producers by individual seed producers and farmers’ associations in the Dosso region.<br />
More than 100 farmers have been trained in seed production technology and crop management practices and 30<br />
farmers have been trained in small-business skills and marketing.<br />
Main findings/results & policy Implications:<br />
Preliminary results showed that the area cultivated with groundnut has increased from 1.82 ha to 2.20 ha per<br />
household from 2007/08 to 2009/10. (1) the proportion of farmers exposed to modern groundnut varieties<br />
(developed or adapted less than 20 years ago) has increased from 11.78% to 78.83%. About 70.91% of<br />
households are planting new groundnut varieties in 2009/10 against 23.99% in 2007/08. The proportion of area<br />
planted with modern varieties more than doubled ie. from 21.85% in 2007/08 to 49.12% in 2009/10.<br />
The quantity of groundnut sold more than doubled ie. from 289 kg/household to 622kg/household. The<br />
proportion of households net sellers increased slightly from 91.30 to 93.77% in 2009/10. The average yields of<br />
farmers increased significantly from 26 to 52% for male farmers in the neighboring and control villages<br />
respectively. Women farmers increased groundnut yields from 28.90% to about 32.22% in neighboring villages<br />
and control villages respectively.<br />
7
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
The project is generating some social gains that will be largely increased after 3 more years on project<br />
intervention.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
The Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), the traditional extension services (DDA<br />
– Direction Départementale de l’Agriculture), farmer’s associations or group seed producers.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Tropical Legumes-II (TL-II); IFAD<br />
MTP Output 3: Database and new methodologies addressing the impact of bio-physical and social science<br />
research developed<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.3.1 Impact pathways approach applied in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> planning and M&E process for<br />
enhancing relevance of R&D interventions in the SAT<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
for the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP) of the SEED-WASA project and 75% of the<br />
PMEP of the AGRA Microdosing project<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal and Ghana in the SEEDS-WASA project and Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso for<br />
the AGRA Microdosing project.<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To develop the monitoring and evaluation plan of the SEEDS – WASA project.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Both M&E were developed using impact pathways.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
None<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
The Institut National de Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), The Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) du<br />
Mali, the Institut National de l’Environnement et la Recherche Agricole (INERA) of Burkina Faso and the<br />
partners and stakeholders involved in the SEEDS-WASA project. University of Carl Pray.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Developing Monitoring and Evaluation Systems for Seed Alliance Activities in Sub-Saharan Africa - Case of<br />
West Africa Seed Alliance" (YUSU40) funded by USAID<br />
“Achieving Pro-Poor Green Revolution in Drylands of Africa: Linking Fertilizer Microdosing with Input-Output Markets to Boost<br />
Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger” funded by AGRA.<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.3.1: Updated impact database shared in the website<br />
Intermediate target output <strong>2010</strong> Impact database on guess-estimates on uptake of pearl millet, sorghum and<br />
groundnut varieties in 6 countries in West and Central Africa<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Burkina Faso and Chad.<br />
8
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To gather information on varieties released in the 6 countries during the last 20 years, get guess-estimates on<br />
adoption by expert opinions in countries, and assess the strengths of the pearl millet, sorghum and breeding<br />
programs.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Questionnaires were addressed to experts in the 6 countries targeting the characteristics of varieties, expert<br />
estimates of area covered by varieties and the human resource availability in the 6 countries.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Preliminary results from expert survey showed that during the last 20 years, there have been few variety releases<br />
for pearl millet, sorghum and groundnut in WCASAT. In Chad, virtually no release in the last 20 years. This<br />
differs significantly by crop.<br />
It is noted that during the last 20 years, for pearl millet for example, no release has occurred in Senegal and<br />
Chad, Varieties released in Mali, Nigeria and Niger result from joint work between NARS and <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. The<br />
same observations can be made of sorghum. As for groundnut, all the releases occurring so far result from joint<br />
partnership between <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and NARS. However, efforts to release varieties remain a major constraint in the<br />
region because the rate of release is very low. In Senegal for example there has been few releases on groundnut<br />
through more than 10 varieties are ready for release.<br />
All countries a very weak to acceptable breeding programs. There is currently no pearl millet breeder in Niger or<br />
Chad, no groundnut breeder in Niger, Mali and Chad. Even in the countries endowed with breeders, they are<br />
splitted into many other cereals making their contributions often not high or they do not have the educational<br />
level necessary to run breeding programs. Overall, all breeding programs are constrained by operational costs<br />
even to maintain germplasm.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
All countries involved.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
DIVA project<br />
2011 1.3.2 New methodologies Impact evaluation methodologies tackling social processes and capacity<br />
building, along with lessons learnt from analysis of impact pathways developed and shared with national and<br />
sub-regional agricultural systems.<br />
Intermediate target output in <strong>2010</strong><br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Determine ex post impact of improved groundnut and pigeonpea varieties on consumption poverty reduction.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
In Malawi, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Kenya, papers were written on determinants of technology adoption and the<br />
Impact of improved legumes on market surplus and poverty. The papers were based on household surveys<br />
conducted in the respective countries in 2007. A weakness of many studies that evaluate the impact of improved<br />
technology is that they do not control for differences between adopters and non-adopters. If these groups are<br />
significantly different, results may over-estimate impacts on farm income. To overcome this problem, the study<br />
used the propensity score matching (PSM) method to identify treatment and control groups with similar<br />
characteristics, except that one group (adopters) adopted new technology while the other (non-adopters) did not.<br />
The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke poverty indices were used to compare impact on poverty for the two groups while<br />
the quantity of groundnuts sold by the household was used to measure the extent of market integration my the<br />
household.<br />
9
However, by only controlling for the observable covariates the PSM only removes the part of the selection bias<br />
called “overt bias” (Lee, 2005; Rosenbaum, 2002). PSM may not remove what is called “hidden bias” which is<br />
caused by the unobservable covariates that may also affect the individual’s self-selection into the program and<br />
the outcomes indicators (Rosenbaum, 2002). . This warrants the estimation of the Local Average Treatment<br />
Effect (LATE) Abadie, 2003; Imbens and Angrist, 1994) as opposed to the Average Treatment Effect (ATE).<br />
The local average treatment effect (LATE), introduced by Imbens and Angrist (1994) identifies the causal<br />
effect of program participation on a restricted sub-sample of potential participants that can comply to the<br />
assignment as program participants. Consequently in Malawi the estimated the LATE as opposed to the ATE<br />
using parametric estimation procedures to assess the impact of improved groundnut adoption on market<br />
integration.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
In Malawi, adopters of improved groundnut technologies had higher consumption expenditure than nonadopters.<br />
After PSM matching to identify equivalent adopter and non-adopter groups, the results showed that<br />
groundnut adoption in Malawi positively and significantly increased household expenditure. The Incidence of<br />
poverty, depth of poverty, and severity of poverty were significantly lower among adopters. The findings<br />
suggest that by raising farm productivity improved groundnut technology can significantly contribute to poverty<br />
reduction. However, the Impact of cultivating improved pigeonpea was not significant. In Ethiopia,<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO),<br />
National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM)<br />
Intermediate target output in <strong>2010</strong>: Environment for Development Initiative<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Uganda<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Determine ex post impact of improved groundnut varieties to crop income poverty reduction.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The study was based on a random sample of 945 households from 7 districts, representing four farming systems,<br />
surveyed in 2006. A weakness of many studies that evaluate the impact of improved technology is that they do<br />
not control for differences between adopters and non-adopters. If these groups are significantly different, results<br />
may over-estimate impacts on farm income. To overcome this problem, the study used the propensity score<br />
matching (PSM) method to identify treatment and control groups with similar characteristics, except that one<br />
group (adopters) adopted new technology while the other (non-adopters) did not. The Foster-Greer-Thorbecke<br />
poverty indices were used to compare impact on poverty for the two groups.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Adopters of improved groundnut technology had higher incomes than non-adopters. After PSM matching to<br />
identify equivalent adopter and non-adopter groups, the results showed that groundnut adoption positively and<br />
significantly increased crop income. Incidence of poverty, depth of poverty, and severity of poverty were<br />
significantly lower among adopters. Although the effect on poverty indices was not dramatic, by raising farm<br />
productivity improved groundnut technology can significantly contribute to poverty reduction.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS), National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Swedish Cooperation Agency<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.3.3: Lessons learnt from analysis of impact pathways of representative <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
NARS technologies<br />
10
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Development of hypotheses that will determine the IPG potential of<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s downstream work on technology development, testing and adaptation<br />
- Working paper published that covers review of the concept of IPGs and innovation systems including<br />
analysis of earlier adoption, constraints and impact studies.<br />
- Case studies on <strong>ICRISAT</strong> research, development and innovation pathways for participatory watershed<br />
management in Asia including spillovers to Africa.<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
90%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
The work plan covers three regional in-depth case studies (Asia, East and Southern Africa (ESA), and West and<br />
Central Africa (WCA)). The <strong>ICRISAT</strong> projects suggested include: a) development and deployment of the<br />
watershed-based approach in South Asia; b) seed supply systems in ESA; and c) fertilizer micro-dosing and<br />
African market Garden work in WCA.<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
This initiative emerged from the EPMR recommendation #5, i.e. “The Panel recommends that GT-IMPI work<br />
on the development of hypotheses that determine the IPG potential of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s downstream work on<br />
technology development, testing and adaptation.”<br />
With increasing focus on impacts and broader mandate of the CGIAR, and considering the weakening capacity<br />
of NARS in most developing countries, international agricultural research centers (IARCs) engage in research<br />
for development to address the range of issues facing the poor. Although development-oriented work is location<br />
specific, there is need to ensure that new knowledge is generated in line with the goal of producing IPGs that<br />
have wide applicability across countries. These IPGs may be developed by consciously developing indicators<br />
that assess how economic and social value can be extracted from knowledge and the processes by which this is<br />
achieved. This study reviews the concept of IPGs in the CGIAR and the global agricultural research community<br />
including an analysis of earlier <strong>ICRISAT</strong> adoption studies, constraints analysis and impact assessments.<br />
Synthesis of case studies will synthesize lessons learnt from past <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s downstream work and set the pace<br />
for embracing a culture of institutional learning and change.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The approach uses process documentation, institutional histories and impact pathway analysis to identify lessons<br />
and testable hypotheses that offer new insights to facilitate scaling up of technologies. It is complemented by the<br />
analysis of research spillovers (relating internationality and IPGs) across the Asia and sub-Saharan regions.<br />
Technical information relating to the research processes is elicited through wider dialogues among scientists<br />
across research themes and locations and with partners and target farmers to reconcile impact-oriented<br />
downstream work with the delivery of IPGs.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Analysis of discussions in various fora on the concept of IPGs indicates that balance between developmentoriented<br />
research and IPG delivery is still a contentious issue. However, a thorough examination of studies<br />
undertaken in the past including adoption studies, constraints analysis and impact assessments reveals that<br />
lessons of IPG value can be learnt from downstream work.<br />
Insights from study sites re-affirmed the fact that multi-stakeholder partnerships are important drivers in the<br />
research-development and adoption process of improved agricultural technologies. In Ethiopian, the<br />
government, EARI, development agencies especially Sasakawa Global and the private sector that<br />
commercialized the production of BBMs were key in sustaining the development and continuous adaptation and<br />
promotion of the BBF technology. Some of the drivers of uptake identified include: Problem orientation and<br />
identification of attractive entry point, promotion of technologies that favor the applicability of readily available<br />
inputs and systems, demonstrations of the technology package to risk averse farm households, consideration of<br />
attitudes and cultural practices at the local level, the role of leadership and champions, consistent support from<br />
the government, ownership of the research by contributing partners and proper co-ordination, multidisciplinary<br />
and common interest, stable financial support and accountability, strategies for scaling up and exit developed<br />
beforehand. In China, the pre-disposition of the farmers to work collectively has resulted in massive gains<br />
through adoption of crop and resource management technologies and diversification into vegetable production<br />
and marketing.<br />
11
Partner Institutions:<br />
Implementation of the case studies will be coordinated by GT-IMPI with the support of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Research<br />
Committee (all GTLs, Directors of ESA and WCA and the DDG).<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
DG’s Special Fund<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> –Literature review of Research Spillovers in Asia and Africa<br />
- Review of literature on research spillover benefits including the methodological approaches in<br />
determining quantitative estimates of research spillover benefits across targeted research zones<br />
- A short documentation for each selected <strong>ICRISAT</strong> innovation for systematic analysis of research<br />
spillovers<br />
- Database on key parameters validated for the estimation of research spillovers<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
The work plan covers regions of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> (Asia, East and Southern Africa (ESA), and West and Central Africa<br />
(WCA)). The introductory background and review process of this study include following projects: a) breeding<br />
programs of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops in Asia and Africa; b) participatory community watersheds in Asia and<br />
Africa; c) VASAT in Asia; d) technology transfer through institutional systems in Asia (CFC); e) fertilizer<br />
micro-dosing in Africa; f) integrated NRM - Sahelian Eco-Farm and African Market Garden in Africa; g)<br />
sustainable land management in Africa; h) nutrient management extension practices – mother-baby approach,<br />
farmer field schools, junior farmer field schools, organic matter (OM) management in Africa.<br />
Objectives/Rationale: This initiative emerged from the EPMR recommendation #3, i.e. “the Panel recommends<br />
that a thorough analysis of past and likely future research spillovers between Africa and Asia to guide <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
resource allocations between those two regions.” Panel was of the opinion that, a thorough analysis of the past<br />
and likely spillovers may be taken between Asia and SSA, starting with production statistics on an agroecological<br />
basis, which would help to inform priority setting for <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and its partners, and also help in<br />
allocating research resources between the two continents.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
- A thorough literature review has been used to identify focus technologies for analysis. Several key<br />
parameters have been collected for estimating transfers and spillover effects. Where necessary, socioeconomic<br />
surveys will be conducted across regions. GIS technologies have been used to renew<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> groundnut and sorghum domains in order to delineate transfers within the target domains and<br />
spillover effects outside the target domains. This will be done for the other technologies analyzed in<br />
later stages. To estimate spillover and transfer benefits several models and approaches (Davis et al.;<br />
Maredia et al. / DREAM model; Gravity model; Deb et al) are being reviewed and will be applied to<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> technologies. Finally, key findings will be synthesized and lessons will be drawn for the<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> research prioritization and resource allocations.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
- As a basis for the detailed analysis of transfers and spillover effects a short report on the dissemination<br />
system of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> research output was prepared. This included a complete documentation of<br />
groundnut and sorghum varieties released in more than one country as well as a brief review of the<br />
potential contribution of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> LSU.<br />
- A paper and poster on the generation of more systematically, more transparent and more relevant<br />
domains have been developed and presented at international conferences. They provide the basis for<br />
the delineation of transfers and spillover effects. Furthermore, the developed domains form the basis to<br />
the transferability of technologies which assist scientists in more efficient targeting and partnering in<br />
regions that are most likely to be suitable for a specific technology.<br />
- Collected review of literature on <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Spillovers research benefits in Inter-Regional Technology<br />
transfer in the SAT<br />
- Collection and development of database on key parameters for estimation of spillovers has been<br />
progressing.<br />
12
MTP Output 4: Current agricultural growth trends and future outlooks for the SAT analyzed and shared<br />
with key stakeholders<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.4.1: Global/Regional outlook (supply, demand, trade, prices) reports of<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong><br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To compile and document historical trends in the production, trade and consumption of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops<br />
and forecast future trends for India.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Compile and analyze secondary data and use the IMPACT WATER model developed in collaboration with<br />
IFPRI to forecast future trends in production, trade and consumption<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Groundnut:<br />
During the last two and a half decades, Asia’s production of groundnut grew at an impressive rate. Groundnut<br />
production increased at an annual rate of 3.1%, from 12.5 million t in 1981-83 to 24.0 million t in 2005-07. This<br />
increase, however, was not sufficient to meet the increasing demand for edible oils and oilcakes, forcing many<br />
countries, notably China and India, to import increasing quantities of the same. Yields of groundnut are lower in<br />
Asia than in developed countries because of a number of biotic and abiotic stresses, lack of access to quality<br />
inputs, improved technologies and information. More importantly, groundnut is grown in marginal<br />
environments characterized by poor soils, low and uncertain rainfall and poor irrigation infrastructure that<br />
restrict realization of their true potential.<br />
Only 5 percent of the world groundnut output is traded in the international market. Groundnut is traded as edible<br />
nuts, edible oil and oilcake meal, but edible nuts account for two-thirds of the total trade. Between 1993-95 and<br />
2003-05, trade in groundnut and groundnut products declined because of increasing food safety concerns over<br />
their contamination with aflatoxin. Asia is a net exporter of groundnut, but at the margins.<br />
Demand for groundnut is likely to remain buoyant in Asia, as the factors underlying demand growth (income<br />
growth and urbanization) have been quite robust in recent past in much of the Asia, and the trends therein are<br />
unlikely to subside in the near future. Demand for groundnut in 2020 is expected to be 1.6 times more than that<br />
in 2000. However, domestic production is unlikely to keep pace with increasing demand, and about half the<br />
demand in Asia will be met through imports. But bulk of imports will remain concentrated in China.<br />
Chickpea and Pigeonpea:<br />
Chickpea and Pigeonpea are important grain legumes and play a significant role in the food and nutrition<br />
security of the poor in developing countries of Asia. Together, these crops account for 41% of Asia’s pulses<br />
production. Asia accounts for 88% of global chickpea production and 90% of global pigeonpea production.<br />
Within Asia, India is the largest producer of both crops, accounting for 75% of Asia’s chickpea as well as<br />
pigeonpea production.<br />
Global yields of both chickpea and pigeonpea are low and have been relatively stagnant for much of the last two<br />
decades. India has a dominating influence on these trends owing to its large share in the global production of<br />
these crops. A number of biotic and abiotic factors limit realization of yield potential. The sluggish growth in<br />
chickpea and pigeonpea yields in India can be attributed to: (i) the shift in crop area from favorable to marginal<br />
environments; (ii) the slow uptake of improved varieties and other production technologies; and (iii) its<br />
cultivation on poor soils under erratic rainfall conditions.<br />
On the demand side, however, buoyed by increasing incomes in both Asia and Africa, demand for both the<br />
crops is set to increase in the medium term, doubling in Asia and Africa over the period 2000 to 2020. Trade in<br />
13
chickpea is relatively robust and has been growing over time. Close to 10% of the total chickpea produced in<br />
2003-05 entered the international market. For pigeonpea, Myanmar is a major exporter followed by Malawi,<br />
Kenya, Uganda and the Dominican Republic. International prices of both chickpea and pigeonpea declined in<br />
real terms until 2006. Since then, prices for both crops have increased in line with the general rise in prices of all<br />
agricultural commodities.<br />
Conclusion:<br />
Factors underlying demand growth in the recent past have been quite robust and these are unlikely to subside in<br />
the near future; indicating that demand for pulses, edible oils and oilcakes will continue to grow. Asia is land<br />
scarce; and the scope to bring additional area under cultivation of legumes is extremely limited. The main<br />
challenges for research and policy are to narrow down the yield gap by enhancing farmers’ access to quality<br />
inputs, improved technologies and practices and information; to enhance competitiveness of groundnut,<br />
chickpea and pigeonpea through domestic and border protection measures in relation to their substitutes and<br />
competing crops.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
SAU’s on TL II project<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) under Tropical Legumes II project and<br />
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Mapping of target areas and crop production zones<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Define major production areas and target areas for project.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Collection of official statistics.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Spatially disaggregated data for all the target crops was collected from all the three countries – chickpea<br />
(Ethiopia), groundnut and pigeonpea (Malawi) and groundnut and pigeonpea (Tanzania). Whereas information<br />
is available at the local level in areas or districts where project activities have started, such disaggregated data is<br />
not available at district and sub-district level for the country as a whole.<br />
We have initiated discussions with Harvest choice to see how the remaining gaps for the legume crops can be<br />
filled.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
EIAR (Ethiopia), DRD (Tanzania), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (Malawi)<br />
Publications: Nil.<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Situation and outlook analyses for targeted legumes<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Ethiopia, Tanzania, Malawi<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Analyse trends in production and trade to identify market potential for legume target crops in the region.<br />
14
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Descriptive statistics with FAOSTAT data and futures modeling using IMPACT (International Model for<br />
Policy Analysis of Agricultural Commodities and Trade) developed by IFPRI.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
<strong>Report</strong>s were produced for chickpea (Ethiopia), and groundnut and pigeonpea (Malawi). Results for Ethiopia<br />
suggest that chickpea area and production will show significant growth in the coming years. Results for<br />
groundnuts in Malawi revealed weaknesses in the current seed systems as well as in the enforcement of quality<br />
standards. The technology delivery and the grain marketing systems are underdeveloped, leading to the low use<br />
of improved technologies and the production of poor quality of nuts with high levels of aflatoxins that make it<br />
unacceptable in the international markets. Although the volumes of groundnut exports remain lower than the<br />
levels seen in the late 1980s, the review has shown that Malawi maintains a comparative advantage in groundnut<br />
production and competitiveness in exports suggesting that there is scope for increasing groundnut exports once<br />
required quality standards are met. Results for pigeonpea in Malawi show growth in harvested area, yield and<br />
production. Furthermore, the outlook analysis based on production and exports simulations shows that area,<br />
production as well as domestic demand will continue to rise. However, weaknesses in seed and technology<br />
delivery and grain marketing systems are constraints on diffusion and adoption of improved technologies.<br />
Policy implications: In Ethiopia, policy changes are needed to open up the seed sector and assist private seed<br />
companies and community seed producer associations by improving access to agri-business development<br />
services and empowering cooperatives and village agro-dealers. Performance of the chickpea value chain can be<br />
improved by strengthening farmer linkages with the industry and exporters, reducing transaction costs and<br />
targeting the development and distribution of large-seeded kabuli varieties that offer price premiums in<br />
international markets. In Malawi, the policy implications are similar and suggest the need for faster productivity<br />
enhancement, strengthening seed delivery systems to reach more farmers and the development of existing value<br />
chains.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
EIAR (Ethiopia), DRD (Tanzania), Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (Malawi)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong><br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
All countries in West and Central Africa<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To assess regional groundnut supply and demand trends and market prospects in West and Central Africa.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
FAO data from 1961 to 2009 in addition to secondary literature were used to compute production, area, and<br />
yield levels as well as growth parameters. Using the same data set, demand for groundnut products (oils, cakes)<br />
are estimated and compared to competing products.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
West and Central Africa lost its world groundnut production and export shares during the last 4 decades.<br />
Groundnut production shares declined from 27% to 20% whereas groundnut oil export shares decreased from<br />
55% to 24%. China, the leading producer, has increased its world shares by fourfold from 10% to 38%.<br />
Argentina, the leading oil exporter, has doubled its world share from 12% to 23%. Senegal remains the lead<br />
groundnut oil exporter (19% of world exports) in West and Central Africa followed by Nigeria (1.20 % of<br />
World exports). India is the lead exporter of groundnut cakes accounting for 65% of world exports followed by<br />
a distant second Senegal with 10% and Argentina with 6%. Exports for confectionary groundnut increased by<br />
about 65% from 1979-81 to 2005-07 but most of this came from Asian countries accounting for about 47% of<br />
15
world exports. West Africa contribution to confectionary groundnut exports felt by half from 43,956 tons to<br />
27,495 tons from 1979-81 to 2005-07 respectively.<br />
The European Union still remain the major importer of oil, cakes and confectionary groundnut. France is the<br />
lead oil importer accounting for 23% of world oil imports followed by Italy 17% and the USA, 14%. As for<br />
cakes, China is major importer of groundnut cakes accounting for 35% of world imports, followed by France<br />
16% and Thailand, 11%. West and Central Africa are importing slightly more cakes. Whereas in 1961-65, there<br />
were no imports, this is increased to 2.54% of world imports.<br />
While imports from other oil seeds such as soya bean oils have more quadrupled (4.85% to 16.31%) in WCA,<br />
palm oil significantly decreased from 48 to 28% of Africa’s imports. The supply of palm oil has almost doubled<br />
while prices of these 2 oil seed are about half groundnut oil process in the global market making groundnut less<br />
competitive. However, since 1984, groundnut production in West and Central Africa has been increasing by<br />
about 4.60% annually mainly due to area expansion. Senegal and Nigeria remain among the largest world<br />
groundnut producers. Groundnut still remains a major source of employment, income and foreign exchange in<br />
many West and Central African countries. Therefore there is a need to reassess market prospects and highlights<br />
opportunities for West and Central Africa to regain to its market shares.<br />
The competitiveness of West and Central African groundnut in the domestic, regional and international markets<br />
has been limited by the low productivity, aflatoxin regulations, and stricter grades and standards in addition to<br />
trade distortions caused by 2 largest developing countries, India and China. Relative prices of groundnut oils are<br />
higher in the international markets making these products less competitive compared to oil palms, cotton oil and<br />
others oil fruits. There are market niches for confectionary groundnut. Access to this market would require<br />
knowledge of market requirements especially EU markets. To regain its competitiveness, groundnut<br />
productivity and production has to increase significantly, technologies to reduce aflatoxin contamination have to<br />
be promoted and grades and standards satisfied.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
The Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER) and the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger<br />
(INRAN)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation - Tropical Legumes II.<br />
MTP Output 5: Investment and policy options for increasing agricultural productivity and mitigating climatic<br />
related shocks identified and shared with key stakeholders.<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.5.1 Policy options for increasing agricultural productivity to mitigate HIV<br />
susceptibility<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Results:<br />
This research was undertaken as part of PhD dissertation. The dissertation is completed and submitted to the<br />
University for review.<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.5.2 Constraints, challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation in R&D and<br />
alternative regional research and development strategies in southern Africa report<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Three SADC countries—Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia in terms of field research. However, when it comes<br />
to capacity strengthening and sharing of research results, 15 countries participate and benefit<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
ReSAKSS-SA ultimate goal is to contribute towards improving policy and strategic planning and<br />
implementation in the agricultural sector. Therefore the primary measure of its value lies in the extent to which<br />
16
policy makers use the information and analyses being generated. Specifically both CAADP and RISDP call for<br />
an annual growth rate of 6% in agricultural GDP if agriculture is to play a central role in economic growth,<br />
poverty reduction and food security in southern Africa. The overall objective of the Project is to provide<br />
governments and private sector with credible data and analysis that will enable them to make investment and<br />
policy decisions based on evidence.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
This is part of a consortium of SAKSS-Africa and ReSAKSS-SA covers only the southern Africa countries—<br />
mainly SADC. The first phase started in October 2006 to December 2009. The main countries of operation in<br />
terms of research focus were Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia. However, the rest of the countries benefitted<br />
almost equally in capacity development. For the whole of <strong>2010</strong>, this Project in reality did not function. After the<br />
end of first phase in December 2009, there were several versions of proposals that were developed and<br />
submitted to the original donors of the Project as well as new ones. It is informed (no official letter yet) that<br />
some minimal funds are now available to continue with phase 2 of the project as we await more funds. It is<br />
unclear what role and at what level of effort will <strong>ICRISAT</strong> be requested to play a part in this. The clarity on role<br />
of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in phase 2 of ReSAKSS-SA is yet to be defined.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Universities in the region, International Universities such as Michigan State, National Policy Analysis think<br />
tanks, private sector, and NARS<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
The funding was obtained from three key donors—USAID, DFID and SIDA<br />
Intermediate target output <strong>2010</strong> Mozambique-SAKSS:<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
20%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Mozambique<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The overall objective of is to provide Mozambique government and private sector with credible data and<br />
analysis that will enable them to make investment and policy decisions based on evidence.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
It first started as a pilot phase for 18 months –2008 to 2009 and late in 2009, a more detailed and longer program<br />
lasting for three years began. There are three CGIAR centers implementing this program—IFPRI with fiduciary<br />
responsibility in reporting and finance, IWMI and <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. The main implementing year for this project has<br />
been <strong>2010</strong>.This project continues through December 2011 and it has a high probability of extension into a<br />
second phase.<br />
Main findings/Results:<br />
This is a capacity building project for the Ministry of Agriculture which is implemented mainly through its<br />
Department of Economics. This is an off shoot of the Regional SAKSS but now only for Mozambique. SIDA<br />
got interested in supporting a Mozambique country-based SAKSS after seeing the results of the regional SAKSS<br />
and the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Team comprising John Dimes, Kizito Mazvimavi and Isaac Minde have been implementing<br />
the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> part of the program with Mozambican counterparts. The <strong>ICRISAT</strong>s agenda in the project is on<br />
Expanding Input and Output Markets and this is divided into three key components as agreed upon jointly by<br />
the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and the Mozambican team.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Universities in the region, National Policy Analysis think tanks, private sector, and NARS<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
SIDA<br />
17
MTP Output target 2011 1.5.1 Adaptation strategies and layers of resilience to climatic related shocks in Asia<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Review Visits and Annual Planning Meetings<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
90%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The overall objective of the project is to identify and prioritize the sectors most at risk and develop gender<br />
equitable agricultural adaptation and mitigation strategies as an integral part of agricultural development in the<br />
most vulnerable areas.<br />
Expected outputs from the project are:<br />
• Improved understanding of climate variability and adaptation-coping strategies of the rural poor in<br />
SAT region<br />
• Best practices and institutional innovations for mitigating the effects of climate change<br />
• Strategies to address socioeconomic problems relating to changing weather patterns and availability of<br />
a range of initiatives for their alleviation<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
The project had review visits to all partner countries along with the Annual Planning and Review Meeting in<br />
May, <strong>2010</strong>. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> organized the Second Annual Planning and Review Meeting of the project Vulnerability<br />
to climate change: adaptation strategies and layers of resilience on 3 and 4 May, followed by an International<br />
Policy Dialogue hosted by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture in<br />
Asia” on 5 and 6 May in Dhaka, Bangladesh.<br />
At the review meeting, the project was described as an opportunity for all partner countries to empower the<br />
people to use the layers of resilience along with empowerment of the key stakeholders. The Steering Committee<br />
members of the project, emphasized the need for using past experiences of the farming community and tracking<br />
changes in the grassroots across seven countries: India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, China, Thailand and<br />
Pakistan. This was followed by country-wise presentation of progress reports.<br />
The review focused on a range of topics from climatic data analysis, variability and change, vulnerability<br />
analysis and insights from the field on farmers’ perception to climate change and their adaptation strategies. The<br />
review ended with the discussion on progress of activities as per the work plan. Timelines were revisited and<br />
established for the other activities in <strong>2010</strong>-2011.<br />
The Policy Dialogue, held from 5-6 May, saw the who’s who of policy and planning of Bangladesh share a<br />
common platform with the research community across seven countries led by CPD and <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Uttam Deb,<br />
Research Head of CPD and Project Collaborator from Bangladesh was a key player in conducting the event.<br />
Mustafizur Rahman, Executive Director of CPD, Rehman Sobhan, Chairman of CPD, AMM Shawkat Ali,<br />
Former Adviser to the Caretaker Government and Begum Matia Chowdhury, Agriculture Minister of<br />
Bangladesh, spoke on the occasion. The closing session was chaired by M Syeduzzaman, former Finance<br />
Secretary of Bangladesh and attended by Members of Parliament. MCS Bantilan presented the synthesis of the<br />
two-day dialogue in this session.<br />
Further, during 10 – 14 October, <strong>2010</strong> and later during 22 November to 06 December <strong>2010</strong>, review visits were<br />
undertaken in Bangkok, Thailand, Guiyang (Guizhou Province), China, Hanoi Vietnam and ADB, Manila,<br />
Philippines by MCS Bantilan, Naveen P Singh, Prabhakar Pathak and Kamanda Josey. The reviews centered on<br />
follow-up on the application of integrated watershed management concept in the previous ADB RETA 5812 and<br />
6067 “Participatory Watershed Management for Reducing Rural Poverty and land Degradation in SAT Asia” to<br />
a) draw lessons from <strong>ICRISAT</strong> development research initiatives and measure the spillover research benefits<br />
across regions. This feature also addresses the 6th EPMR recommendations 3 and 5; and b) identify technology,<br />
cultural and social dimensions influencing viable strategies for enhancing resilience and adaptation to increasing<br />
water scarcity and climatic variability in the village sites. An invited seminar was also delivered at the Asian<br />
Development Bank Headquarters in Manila entitled “Building Resilient Agriculture in Asia: Lessons from<br />
Cross-Country Studies” to show case the initial findings and discuss the future work plans and activities. During<br />
18
ADB feedback, it was reiterated to extend the project for another six month, which was acceded to with ADB<br />
emphasizing on more policy level interactions so that the findings can be mainstreamed in the government<br />
programmes in the partner countries.<br />
The salient features of the review mission were as under:<br />
Thailand: Project partners from participating departments of the Field Crops Research Institute of DoA,<br />
Thailand presented three project reports covering vulnerability analysis, climatic analysis (national, district and<br />
village levels) and farmer perceptions to climate change and adaptation strategies. Research gaps were identified<br />
and workplan for next year was finalized with focus of dissemination of results through development of policy<br />
briefs, stakeholders’ meeting and policy dialogue.<br />
In a tour of Northeastern Thailand, it was observed through focus group meetings (FGMs) that farmers do not<br />
put high priority in planning for the long term even as they are increasingly aware of climate-related changes.<br />
They emphasize concerns and priority in the short-term, addressing the conditions faced during each season<br />
each year. When asked about any practice(s) that they perceive will improve their resilience to climate change,<br />
those exposed to government forestry programs mentioned their community involvement in afforestation. Two<br />
factors – community group action and leadership were highlighted during the FGMs as essential to improve<br />
resiliency to increasing climate variability, and even extreme events (drought, flood). Recognition of the role of<br />
women was also highlighted: two women - one a member of the village committee and the other a leader of the<br />
women self-help group - contributed points with priorities to reducing household cost through training in<br />
agricultural practices and collective action (e.g. bio-extracts and household detergents to reduce the use of<br />
pesticides in their vegetables.)<br />
China: The project review in China included field visits in two villages in Guizhou Province: Lucheba Village<br />
in Pingba County and Yingzhai Village near Guiyang. In Lucheba village, access to water for irrigation and<br />
drinking water (introduced through the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> watershed concept in earlier ADB RETA) has opened greater<br />
opportunities for agricultural innovations in the village which benefited the households of this agriculture-based<br />
community. Since the initiation of the first <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-GAAS participatory watershed projects funded by ADB in<br />
RETA 6067, there have been significant developments. Six farmer groups were organized, each electing a<br />
committee to plan and execute projects depending on the farmer group’s priorities; and additional support from<br />
the Chinese government also augmented the initiative. Most importantly, farmers achieved a sense of ownership<br />
by virtue of the fact that they also contribute to the community project implementation funds, and this has been<br />
critical in ensuring the project’s sustainability even beyond the project horizon. The average farmer income has<br />
increased from about ¥1800 per person in 2002 to nearly ¥6000. Neighboring villages are following to replicate<br />
the Lucheba model and the village has evolved to become a market center for vegetables. The discussion with<br />
farmers during this visit revealed villagers’ emerging realization and higher priority for better roads and faster<br />
access to markets, as well as new innovations to sustain the benefits from market-driven agricultural<br />
diversification. The visit of Yingzhai Village near Guiyang gave an additional exposure to the review team of<br />
other initiatives in rural Guizhou. The advances in technology adoption (biogas, waste water treatment, solar<br />
lighting and insect traps for IPM) were definitely sustained through participation of village collectives with<br />
sustained government support.<br />
Like the other country project reviews, partners from GAAS presented their progress reports, primarily on<br />
analysis of long-term climate data, and farmers’ perceptions on climate change. Review comments were<br />
discussed with specific recommendations given for each project report.<br />
Vietnam: In Vietnam, the project review team saw presentations by three groups of partners from VAAS, each<br />
working on the three components: macro and micro climatic analysis, vulnerability analysis, and farmers’<br />
perceptions and adaptation strategies. The change in climate was observed in terms of increasing incidences of<br />
extreme events like droughts and floods, the latter being of greater concern especially in South Central Province<br />
of Vietnam. Sea water intrusion has resulted in soil salinity at the coastal areas due to sea level rise and<br />
reduction in water levels in the river basins. The water table has also gone down drastically and these changes<br />
seem to have impacted the crop calendar. Additionally, it was perceived by farmers that the number of winter<br />
days has seemingly drastically reduced in the last 40 years. Specific to the queries relating to watersheds, it was<br />
informed that due to lack of maintenance, silt accumulation is increasingly a problem in watershed villages and<br />
hence some check measures needed to be adopted in the upper portions of the watershed in Huoang Dao.<br />
19
Philippines: Dr. Bantilan delivered an invited seminar on “Building Climate Resilient Agriculture in Asia:<br />
Lessons from Cross-Country Studies” on 3 Dec <strong>2010</strong> at ADB Headquarters in Manila. The seminar addressed<br />
cross-country perspectives and farmers’ adaptive capacity to change. It was well received with good feedback<br />
especially on the key contribution of the project in drawing insights from the grassroots level through village<br />
level studies. Key results were recommended for high level dissemination at the national and international<br />
levels. Development of a book for publication that will synthesize the key lessons learned from the project was<br />
set as priority. ADB further reiterated the targeting of global fora wherein outreach for policy dialogue can be<br />
made highlighting the grass root level adaptations in the south and southeast Asia.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
The review team discussed the preliminary results emanating from the project and made suggestions for the<br />
enrichment of the reports. The way forward and next steps to be undertaken were finalized in each countries.<br />
Thailand: The results will be strengthened by matching the key findings from climatic and vulnerability<br />
analysis with the farm level observations and assessment of adaptation strategies in response to perceived<br />
increase in climate variability. The Thai team will prepare for stakeholder consultations and policy dialogue<br />
during February-April, 2011.<br />
Vietnam: Apart from similar recommendation given above, it was felt necessary to properly link the LGP<br />
analysis with the changes in cropping pattern and the conclusions of the farmers perception survey be linked to<br />
data and empirical observations (like rainfall changes, higher peaks, short run period, shorter rainfall season and<br />
longer dry season to name a few). The work will need to be enhanced by downscaling the HADCM3 scenario<br />
for the SCC region/ Ninh Thuan Province for rice, groundnut, soybean, maize and cassava crop.<br />
China: Lengthy discussion was pursued to address the research issues and specific critical technical suggestions<br />
to improve the current versions of the project reports. The analysis of vulnerability in the targeted research<br />
domain has not been completed. The team was advised to take steps to complete this project component as well.<br />
It was suggested to complement ongoing crop modeling with efforts in modeling at a watershed scale. In<br />
addition, it was advised that analysis be enhanced by identifying the enabling factors as well as constraints to<br />
adaptation.<br />
Like the other teams participating in the ADB project, the team from China was also encouraged to commence<br />
early preparations for the planned stakeholder consultations and policy dialogues to be held in Guiyang in 2011.<br />
It is important for <strong>ICRISAT</strong> to also take up the points noted by the President of GAAS, Prof. Zuo-yi Liu as he<br />
expressed the value of partnership with <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. He noted that Guizhou Province is drought prone, and<br />
sorghum is used as a major raw material for the region’s wine industry. He specifically advocated strengthened<br />
cooperation with <strong>ICRISAT</strong> through continuing scholar exchange visits especially on crops like sorghum, millet<br />
and groundnut.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
1. Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture in India;<br />
2. Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences in People’s Republic of China;<br />
3. Council for Agricultural Research and Policy in Sri Lanka;<br />
4. Centre for Policy Dialogue in Bangladesh;<br />
5. Pakistan Agricultural Research Council in Pakistan;<br />
6. Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences in Vietnam; and<br />
7. Chiangmai Field Crops Research Station, Department of Agriculture in Thailand<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Asian Development Bank (ADB)<br />
In kind contributions from partner organizations.<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Climatic analysis in semi-arid tropical regions of India<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam<br />
20
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
One of the important activities of the project is the collection and analysis of long term secondary weather data<br />
in different districts of semi-arid regions of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra in India. As part of this,<br />
description of characteristics of important weather parameters, like rainfall and temperature and also derived<br />
water balance parameters like soil moisture Index (SMI) and index of moisture adequacy for SAT regions of<br />
India have been carried out. The endeavor is been downscaled further at Mandal/tehsil level to provide the local<br />
level contexts in terms of adequacy of crop mix/choices and devising the technological interventions in crop<br />
improvement programmes.<br />
Expected outputs from the project are:<br />
• Improved understanding of climate variability<br />
• Strategies to range of initiatives for crop combinations for improving the livelihoods<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
The study on trend analysis of rainfall of Anantpur and mehboobnagar revealed that no Mandal in both districts<br />
showed neither increasing nor decreasing tendency in south-west monsoon and annual period under more than<br />
100 mm category except two mandals in Anantpur district which showed decreasing trend at 90% level of<br />
significance. Under 75-100 mm rainfall category, one Mandal each from Anantpur and Mehaboobnagar district<br />
showed increasing trend on annual basis. It indicates that both the districts are not in the risk from heavy rainfall<br />
in the order of 75 mm and more. However, increased occurrence of heavy rainfall events under 50-75 and 25-50<br />
mm category, on an annual basis, was noticed in more number of mandals. This increased tendency was<br />
observed in more number of mandals in Anantpur districts than Mehboobnagar districts. The information on the<br />
heavy rainfall trend during crop season would help farmers community of a particular location to take necessary<br />
steps to minimize the crop losses. It also gives an insight for farmers and policy makers towards soil<br />
conservation measures as the heavy rainfall aggravates soil erosion. Qualitative, location specific forecast is<br />
needed very much to reduce the impact of heavy rainfall on crop yield. In addition, effective and timely<br />
dissemination of value added agro advisories among the farming community and promoting weather insurance<br />
schemes to cope with losses due to heavy rainfall events. Although prediction of such extreme weather events is<br />
still fraught with uncertainties, a proper assessment of likely future trends would help in setting up of<br />
infrastructure for disaster preparedness.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
• Similar climatic analysis reports were published in each partner countries<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- The Link between Climate Variability, Cropping Pattern and Revenue:<br />
Insights from Kanzara Village, India<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Rationale: Ascertaining the link between climate, cropping pattern and farmers livelihoods<br />
Countries involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives:<br />
The objective of this preliminary study is to observe changes in the cropping pattern for an SAT district in India.<br />
A village that is representative of the district and whose data available in the VLS database will be selected and<br />
its cropping pattern analyzed. Reasons for changes in cropping pattern will also be determined through village<br />
visit.<br />
This will serve to validate/ invalidate the assumptions that changes in cropping pattern are often driven by<br />
reasons other than climate. The implications of these drivers of change in cropping pattern on each household<br />
will be identified and a hypothesis that may alleviate the implications be proposed. Focus will be given to the<br />
2001-2007 VLS data so as to give relevance to study. It is envisioned that the findings of this study will result in<br />
a better economic wellbeing for the relevant stakeholders, in particular the rural households involved in<br />
agricultural activities. It is hoped that it can also serve as a reference for future studies in the area of rural<br />
development.<br />
21
Progress/Results:<br />
Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing mankind now. On the agricultural side, climate change<br />
may reduce crop yield. Change in cropping pattern is one of the adaptation strategies to climate change.<br />
However, revenue and expenses considerations, not climate change, are the main drivers of change in cropping<br />
pattern.<br />
This study has validated the assumptions that change in cropping pattern is driven by reasons other than climate.<br />
Specifically for Kanzara, the adoption of soybean is driven by revenue and expenses considerations, not climate<br />
change. Given the riskaverseness of households, the role of experience adds another dimension to the decisionmaking<br />
process of cropping pattern change. Two implications of the current decision-making process are<br />
identified: 1) Delay in reaping the benefits of change in cropping pattern and 2) No significant changes in<br />
cropping pattern unless significant gain in revenue can be observed from the early adopters even though climate<br />
necessitates change.<br />
However, by linking climate to revenue, households show willingness in giving more weightage to climate as a<br />
factor to change cropping pattern. Three main points can be obtained from this part of the study: 1) Households,<br />
regardless of size, stand to gain by switching from cotton to soybean. 2) By not changing their cropping pattern,<br />
small households tend to lose more than medium and large households. A valid explanation for this observation<br />
is that there is a difference in resources, access to technology, irrigation facilities, etc between households of<br />
different sizes. This is in line with the widely accepted statement that the poor loses more than the rich. 3)<br />
Combining the first and second points, small households can minimize their losses by switching and/or<br />
increasing their soybean proportion and once they cross a certain threshold of soybean proportion, will start to<br />
see a positive increase in their revenue per acre. As for medium and large households, although they do not lose<br />
anything by not changing their cropping pattern, they stand to gain even more revenue per acre if they decide to<br />
switch and/or increase their soybean proportion. This could be a seed to alter the decision-making dynamics.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
London School of Economics and Political Science<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
: Andre Wirjo<br />
: Naveen P Singh, MCS Bantilan<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Asian Development Bank (ADB)<br />
In kind contributions from partner organizations.<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> – Adaptation to Climate Change: An Investigation on the Effectiveness of<br />
Formal Institutions in Kinkheda Village, Maharashtra, India<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives:<br />
The main objective of the study was to determine the effectiveness of the formal institutions for facilitating<br />
climate change adaptation in a village level setting.<br />
The three main questions the research study attempted to answer were:<br />
• What is the extent of the impact of formal institutions on the farmers' ability to adapt to climate change.<br />
• What are the factors constraining the success of the already initiated formal methods of adaptation for<br />
the farmers, if any.<br />
• How can governance of formal institutions, like Panchayati Raj, be made more effective in helping<br />
farmers cope with climatic shocks.<br />
Hypotheses:<br />
Three hypotheses were set for this study, correlating to the study's focal questions:<br />
1. Formal institutions play an important role in adapting to climatic shocks in Kinkheda Village.<br />
2. The extent to which one benefits from the formal institutions in place correlates to their social status.<br />
3. Increasing the role of the farmers in policy-making decisions would have a positive impact on the operating<br />
schemes.<br />
22
Methodology:<br />
The study required a thorough examination of the Kinkheda village in July <strong>2010</strong>, entailing interactions with<br />
farming households through focus group discussions and individual interviews. Case studies were completed on<br />
five farming households, chosen using the purposive sampling method. The sampling was done with regard to<br />
farm size/ownership and sex. The different groupings of farmers were large, medium, and small-scale farmers,<br />
including landless laborers and women.<br />
The focus group discussions, comprised of about fifteen to twenty members each, served a dual purpose in the<br />
collection of research. They increased the significance of the study by providing an opportunity for the voices of<br />
more farmers to be included in the study, and allowed for a triangulation process to verify the responses<br />
received in individual case studies. Four focus group meetings were held: one with members of the Gram<br />
Panchayat, one with the large and medium farmers, one with the small farmers and landless laborers, and one<br />
focus group solely for women. Institutional mapping was carried out in the focus groups, which illustrates the<br />
most important institutions to each grouping. Carrying out the qualitative, semi-structured interviews in<br />
Kinkheda enabled a better understanding of the effectiveness of institutional schemes. In addition, secondary<br />
resources and <strong>ICRISAT</strong> village level studies (VLS) data from 2001-2004 were referenced and utilized in the<br />
study.<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Climate change is a reality that is adversely affecting poor farmers, particularly those in the arid and semi-arid<br />
tropics. A wide range of institutions exist to facilitate climate change adaptation in village level settings, but the<br />
institutions are often lacking in their implementation. This study investigated the effectiveness of the various<br />
formal institutions for adaptation to climate variability and change. Analyzing the processes of the formal<br />
institutions and examining their impact on the farmers' adaption strategies helped determine how effectively the<br />
institutional schemes are operating. This qualitative case study analyzed the impact of the formal institutions on<br />
the farmers' ability to adapt to climate change in Kinkheda village, Maharashtra, India. The study involved focus<br />
group discussions and interviews with farmers and other key informants in the village to assess the formal<br />
institutions present in Kinkheda. Through the study, the formal institutions were observed to determine how<br />
they work to protect the farmers from the ecological and socioeconomic effects of climate variability and<br />
change. The study has demonstrated that all existing institutions must be properly integrated into society in<br />
order for farmers to receive the much-needed institutional benefits.<br />
The effects of climate variability and change severely decrease farmers' abilities to obtain a sufficient harvest to<br />
provide for their needs, particularly in the Semi-Arid Tropics. Many scientists further predict that current<br />
climatic variability will be exacerbated by the continued process of global warming, stimulating more<br />
difficulties with rain fed agriculture in India. Due to climatic challenges, formal institutions must play a vital<br />
role in assisting the farmers with adaption strategies. The farmers involved in the study did not perceive long<br />
term climate change as much as they did climate shocks and variability. Therefore, future questionnaires should<br />
focus on shorter term effects of the long and systematic climate change occurring.<br />
The study determined that although formal institutions play an important role in facilitating adaptation to<br />
climate change in Kinkheda Village, many leakages are present in the system. In order for farmers to<br />
successfully combat negative effects of climate change, the institutional sector must be significantly bolstered.<br />
An <strong>ICRISAT</strong> grant partnership with Kinkheda could be instrumental in creating access for farmers to schemes<br />
which would better their livelihoods. While moving forward with the proposed program, however, many lessons<br />
learned from this study must be taken into consideration.<br />
The main factors hindering the success of institutional interventions in Kinkheda are: few existing checks and<br />
balances in the system, poor policies, and discriminatory access to institutions. The institutional sector in<br />
Kinkheda is manipulated and controlled by the dominant members of the village. To allow a greater institutional<br />
access for the poor and socially isolated, the status of the vulnerable members of society must be increased. An<br />
excellent method to increase the voice of the villagers is to encourage collective action by providing social and<br />
economic incentives. Opportunities for farmer-government interaction must increase in accord, as the<br />
institutional sector is required to remove the veil which has been masking its operations. Transparency,<br />
accountability, and universal institutional access are three themes which need to be integrated into Kinkheda's<br />
institutional operations. By following the recommendations provided in the body of this report, the institutions<br />
in Kinkheda will be able to better assist farmers in adapting to climatic changes and challenges in the future.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Borlaug~Ruan Intern<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
: Leah Lucas<br />
: Naveen P Singh, Bantilan MCS<br />
23
Special Project Funding:<br />
Asian Development Bank (ADB)<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: NARS partners Capacity building: Training Course on Cropping System<br />
Models Cropping System Models: Application in Land Resource Management<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
The course was attended by 32 participants from India, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China,<br />
Colombia, USA, Vietnam and Botswana. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Govt. of India, has<br />
sponsored 10 participants for this course, the ADB-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> project on `Adaptation Strategies to Climate<br />
Change’ has sponsored 6 participants, and IFPRI sponsored 3 participants.<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The ADB funded project also aims at developing a more informed coping strategies and safety nets which can<br />
be honed specifically by developing the knowledge and capacity of implementing agencies implementing the<br />
project on Vulnerability to climate change: adaptation strategies and layers of resilience. This will help the to<br />
consolidate the best practices and institutional innovations for mitigating effects of climate change, and develop<br />
strategies to address socio-economic problems relating to changing weather patterns, improved livelihood<br />
resilience of risk-averse farmers and concurrent investment by stakeholders. This effort will be greatly enhanced<br />
through a better quantification of the temporal and spatial impact of climate risk. Such an effort will enable<br />
identification, promotion and adoption of innovations that have a high probability of success and impact in the<br />
context of variable climates This will science-based solutions and pro-poor approaches to adapting agricultural<br />
systems to climate change for the benefit of the rural poor and the most vulnerable farmers in the semi-arid<br />
regions of Asia, particularly Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the People’s Republic of China (PRC),<br />
Thailand and Vietnam. Hence, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> (EA) trained NARS staff in modeling activities on biotic, abiotic and<br />
socio-economic variables in order to improve the understanding of climate change variability and its impact on<br />
agriculture.<br />
Methodology:<br />
The areas where capacity building training workshop include:<br />
• Geostatistical methods for the spatial analysis of environmental during 5-9 April, <strong>2010</strong><br />
• Cropping System Models: Application in Land Resource Management during 18-22 October, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The capacity of national program partners as well as key staff benefited significantly through the training<br />
programs undertaken through ADB project. After conducting training of partners in the areas like;<br />
Methodologies and Conduct of Surveys, vulnerability ad agro-climatic analysis, data collection through<br />
qualitative and quantitative tools including social tools and familiarity with rapid rural appraisal instrument<br />
developed exclusively for data collection in 2009, it was felt necessary to provide somewhat advanced training<br />
incorporating both theoretical and practical knowledge regarding different research methods, simulation<br />
modeling, geospatial analysis and issues associated with climatic studies. Hence, two trainings with expert<br />
trainers from University of Florida were organized under aegis of Knowledge, Management and Sharing<br />
(KMS). The details are as under:<br />
(a) Training on Geostatistical Analysis of Environmental Data from 5 to 9 April <strong>2010</strong> <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru,<br />
Andhra Pradesh<br />
Resource Person: Dr Pierre Goovaerts, Associate professor, University of Florida<br />
This course introduced a suite of geostatistical methods for the spatial analysis of environmental data.<br />
Participants learn how to apply geostatistics for the description of spatial patterns and identification of scales of<br />
variability, spatial interpolation and stochastic modeling of environmental attributes, creation of risk maps and<br />
their Use in decision-making. After completion of this course, trainees are provided skills to enable them to<br />
Import, visualize and analyze your own data in a space-time information system.<br />
24
The important topics covered were:<br />
(1) What is Geostatistics?<br />
(2) Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis<br />
(3) Description of Spatial Patterns<br />
(4) Modeling the Spatial Variability<br />
(5) Spatial Prediction<br />
(6) Accounting for Secondary Information in Kriging<br />
(7) Risk Mapping and Incorporation in Decision-making<br />
(8) Stochastic Simulation<br />
(9) Space-time Geostatistics<br />
The benefits accrued from the training course to the participants were as follows:<br />
(1) Learned how to conduct a complete geostatistical analysis using the new software developed at Stanford University<br />
(2) Gained a basic understanding of state-of-the-art geostatistical methods for stochastic simulation and spacetime<br />
interpolation<br />
(3) Received specialized, hands-on training in geostatistics<br />
(4) Learned when and how to choose the interpolation technique that makes best use of the information available<br />
(5) Learned about exploring and visualizing local relationships between environmental variables<br />
As a sequel to the above training, five day training workshop from 18-22 October <strong>2010</strong> on Cropping System<br />
Models: Application in Land Resource Management, was organized in <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru for the selected<br />
project staff from the 5 partner countries. The training comprised of lectures, presentations, group activities and<br />
hand-on exercise. The details are as under:<br />
(b) Training on Cropping System Models Applications in Land Resource Management (DSSAT crop model)<br />
from 18 to 22 October <strong>2010</strong> <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh<br />
Resource Person: Dr. James W. Jones, Distinguished Professor in the Agricultural & Biological Engineering<br />
Department at the University of Florida (UF) and Dr. Kenneth J. Boote Institute of Food and Agricultural<br />
Sciences, USA.<br />
The program described a practical approach for simulating effects of soil, weather, management, and pest<br />
factors on crop production. Instructors explained how crop growth and development, water use, uptake of water<br />
and nutrients and carbon dynamics are simulated. It covered procedures for collecting and managing crop,<br />
weather and soil data for adapting models for applications. Participants analyzed the management alternatives<br />
for single seasons and for crop rotations. Applications of models for studying water and nutrient management<br />
and adaptation to climate change were emphasized.<br />
Lectures were delivered alternatively with hands-on assignments using the DSSAT crop models and software<br />
package. Ample time was provided to discuss capabilities and limitations of the models and appropriate<br />
methods for their use.<br />
1. Overview of cropping systems models and DSSAT software<br />
2. Modeling climate effects on crop growth and potential yield<br />
3. Simulating soil water dynamics and crop responses<br />
4. Analysis of crop water requirements and water productivity as affected by climate, soil properties,<br />
and management<br />
5. Simulating soil N and carbon dynamics and crop responses to N<br />
6. Experiments and data requirements for adapting and using crop models for new regions and<br />
situations<br />
7. Genetic factors affecting crop productivity, water & nutrient use<br />
8. Analyzing yield & economic risks due to climate variability<br />
9. Simulating crop rotations for sustainable production<br />
10. Hands-on analyses of cropping systems for these topics<br />
The benefits accrued from the training course to the participants were as follows:<br />
a. Learnt the basic functions of a Cropping System Model<br />
b. Gained understanding of basic concepts of modeling crops and soils<br />
c. Received specialized, hands-on training in the DSSAT Cropping System Model and its applications<br />
d. Learned how to make use of cropping system models to evaluate long term field experiments<br />
e. Learned how to use the models for applications in water & nutrient management and climate change<br />
issues<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
25
Asian Development Bank (ADB)<br />
MTP Output 6: Strategies for increasing competitiveness through identifying preferred market traits and<br />
introducing quality control systems to meet social, food safety and environmental standards for dryland crops<br />
established and promoted<br />
Priority 5B: Making international and domestic markets work for the poor<br />
Priority 5B, Specific goal 1: Enhanced livelihoods and competitiveness for smallholder producers and food<br />
safety for consumers influenced by changes in national and international markets<br />
Priority 5B Specific goal 2: Improved marketing environment for smallholders by improving the efficiency of<br />
domestic markets<br />
MTP output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.6.2: Preferred market traits identified for livestock (in southern Africa) and dryland<br />
cereals in WCA region<br />
Intermediate Output Target <strong>2010</strong> Characterizing sorghum and pearl millet village economies in Northern<br />
Nigeria: Uptake of modern pearl millet and sorghum varieties in Northern Nigeria<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
85%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Nigeria<br />
Objectives/Rationale: To characterize sorghum and pearl millet village economies, assess the level of uptake of<br />
sorghum and pearl millet varieties, identify the drivers to uptake and assess the level of impact of sorghum and<br />
pearl millet on the livelihood of the poor.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
A survey consisting of a data set of 1136 households from 113 villages living in 6 states of Northern Nigeria to<br />
assess the current and potential adoption rates as well as the impact of modern sorghum and pearl millet<br />
varieties released during the last 20 years. The survey included 994 pearl millet and 998 sorghum producers in<br />
the 6 states of Northern Nigeria mainly Borno, Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe and Zamfara. These states account<br />
for about 50% of sorghum and pearl millet production and/or area in Nigeria. With a target of 1200 households<br />
to be collected on the 6 states, the number of villages selected by state was a prorata of population size at state<br />
level. Thus, 19 villages were randomly selected in Borno State, 12 in Yobe, 23 villages in Katsina, 29 villages in<br />
Kano, 20 villages in Jigawa, and 16 villages in Zamfara state. Within village, 10 households were selected based<br />
on a census list provided by the village chief.<br />
Survey were conducted at both the village and household levels in selected villages. At village level, generally<br />
a group of 10 to 15 respondents was assembled, representing village leaders as well as people of different<br />
genders, ages, occupations and social status in the village. The village questionnaire asked questions about<br />
access to markets, infrastructure and services, projects and organizations having operated or currently operating<br />
in the villages, local prices of inputs and outputs, and perception on welfare and resource changes,<br />
The household survey was conducted essentially with the household head, Information on household<br />
demographic characteristics, and endowments of physical, human, natural, financial and social capital, plot<br />
tenure and quality characteristics, and input/output table, knowledge and exposure to varieties, household<br />
perception to changes in welfare and resources.<br />
Improved sorghum varieties include ISCV400, ICSV111, Hybrid varieties, SK5912 and local varieties. Pearl<br />
millet varieties include SOSAT C88, GB8735, LCIC 9702, LCIC 9703, ICSM IS 89305, Ex Borno, and local<br />
pearl millet varieties.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Results showed that the observed adoption rate for improved pearl millet varieties is estimated to 32.95% and<br />
that of improved sorghum varieties is estimated to about 20.20%. The area planted to pearl millet varieties is<br />
higher for SOSAT C 88 (28.49% of pearl millet area), and less than one percent for other modern pearl millet<br />
26
varieties. For sorghum, ISCV 400 and ISCV 111 are the most widely adopted accounting for 8.46% and 7.07%<br />
of area cultivated to sorghum. Sorghum hybrids account for about 1.48% and SK 5912 for about 1.66%.<br />
Using the average treatment effect estimation, the potential adoption rate for pearl millet varieties is estimated to<br />
55.76% whereas that of sorghum is limited to 26.36% implying that the adoption gap is estimated to 22.82% for<br />
pearl millet and only 6.16% for sorghum. Potential for increasing adoption of sorghum is limited. Further<br />
investment in the exposure and promotion to modern sorghum varieties is not likely to warrant its costs.<br />
Farmers’ assessment of constraints limiting the use of sorghum varieties point to yields as a significant<br />
constraint to adoption if ISCV 400 for example,<br />
However, there is still room to increase the returns to investment on modern pearl millet varieties. In fact, the<br />
adoption gap estimated to about 23% is still very high suggesting a large potential adoption impact that could be<br />
realized by a successful promotion and dissemination of modern pearl millet varieties.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
LCRI, Nigeria, IAR Nigeria<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> Assessing drivers of demand for sorghum and millet in WCA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger, Mali and Nigeria<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To assess drivers of demand for sorghum and pearl millet by consumers in Mali and Niger and estimate the<br />
consumer price and income elasticities of demand.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Data were obtained from the Enquete Nationale Budget Consommation (ENBC) by the Institut Nationale de<br />
Statistique (INS) in Niger and the Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT) in Mali. In Niger, 4000<br />
consumers of which 1916 consumers living in urban areas and 2084 living in rural areas from the eight regions<br />
collected in 2009. Data included age and sex of the consumer, the household size, level of education, socioprofessional<br />
groups, income groups, food expenditures and poverty level (poor and non-poor). In Mali, data<br />
consists of 4454 households of which 2702 consumers in the urban area and 2996 consumers in the rural areas.<br />
Akinleye and Rahji (2006) used the most comprehensive National Consumer Survey (NCS) dataset collected in<br />
2005 of the Federal Office of Statistics (FOS), Nigeria. This data consists of 8676 households 1294 households<br />
in the urban area and 7382 consumers in the rural areas.<br />
The price and income elasticities were calculated using the Almost Ideal Demand Systems (AIDS) of Deaton<br />
and Muellbauer, 1980. Deflators were estimated by the National Statistical Units of Niger and Mali.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
In Mali, the average consumption of cereals (rice, sorghum, pearl millet and fonio) is estimated to about 338<br />
kg/per person/per annum where 42% account for sorghum and pearl millet. The same trend is observed in both<br />
rural and urban areas. In Niger, the trend is different. Sorghum and pearl millet are largely consumed the poor.<br />
In urban area, sorghum and pearl millet consumption account for all 20% of non-poor urban consumers whereas<br />
in rural areas, sorghum and pearl millet account for about 87% of total cereal consumption.<br />
In Niger, in rural areas and in the poorest group, among non-price and income factors, demanders for pearl<br />
millet are likely to younger, living in larger household sizes, and illiterate. In Mali, in the same group, factors<br />
explaining pearl millet consumption are older and are polygamus.<br />
As a whole in Niger, sorghum and maize are price inelastic with elasticities between -1 and 0 while pearl millet<br />
and rice are price elastic with elasticities less than -1. Sorghum is found to be a substitute for rice, and rice a<br />
substitute for millet. However, maize is found to be a complement for sorghum, Rice is found to be a normal<br />
27
good while sorghum, maize and millet are income elastic. The consumer behavior changes as we move from<br />
urban non-poor to rural poor. In fact, rice becomes a giffegn good in the rural area in<br />
In Mali, rice and millet are not price elastic with elasticities between more than -1 and less than 0. However,<br />
sorghum and fonio are price elastic. Sorghum and fonio behave as substitutes, rice as substitute for sorghum,<br />
maize as substitute for sorghum, rice and fonio and millet as a complement for fonio. Rice and fonio are normal<br />
goods and income inelastic with expenditure elasticities positive but less than 1. Wherereas, sorghum, maize and<br />
millet are income elastic with elasticities greater than 1. The consumer behavior changes as we move from<br />
urban non-poor to rural poor. In fact, rice becomes a giffen good in the rural area. Millet maize and sorghum are<br />
price elastic but fonio is inelastic. In addition, fonio is highly income elastic<br />
In Nigeria, Akinleye and Rahji (2006) showed that rice and yam are luxury goods for low income households.<br />
Own price elasticities for sorghum, pearl millet and beans are price elastic. Cross-price relationships indicate<br />
that beans is complemented by other food items except yams; millet is a substitute for rice, sorghum, yam and<br />
maize and maize is a substitute for millet, sorghum, gari and beans. For mid-income households, rice, yam and<br />
millet are luxury goods while sorghum and maize are essential goods. Garri and beans are inferior goods.<br />
Sorghum is price elastic. Rice would substitute millet, yam and maize and sorghum would complement rice,<br />
millet, garri, beans and maize would substitute for rice, millet, sorghum and garri. For high income households,<br />
garri, beans and maize are inferior good. Sorghum is price elastic while other food are price inelastic. Cross<br />
price relationship showed that beans would substitute sorghum and yam and maize and yam would substitute for<br />
every other food item.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
ENBC-INS in Niger and INSTAT (Institut National de Statistique) au Mali.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Mapping marketing channels and measure transaction costs for selected<br />
value chains (food, feed, fodder) including competing crops (maize) (HOPE)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Tanzania and Ethiopia<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Identification of target markets and value chain survey for sorghum and finger millet<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Rapid market appraisal in selected major sorghum and finger millet production areas and at major wholesale and<br />
retail markets in Tanzania and Ethiopia. Preliminary data collected on the five levels of a value chain (technical,<br />
spatial, governance and economic structure as well as actors). In depth interviews with traders and processors<br />
will be based on this information.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Tanzania: Sorghum is a traditional staple food in the villages in Singida and Kondoa district and mainly grown<br />
for home consumption. Finger millet was some decades ago introduced as a cash crop and is mainly grown for<br />
commercialization purposes and not consumed by farmers in the village. There are no crop markets at the<br />
village level. Markets for finger millet are in urban centers like Singida town and Kondoa town, but also<br />
Dodoma, Dar Es Salaam, Arusha, Moshi and Mwanza. Rural assemblers collect finger millet in the villages and<br />
take it to the district towns from where it is shipped by traders from other areas (Moshi, Mwanze, etc.) to the<br />
respective final destination. There are some variations of this market channels. In some cases farmers supply<br />
district town markets directly, in other cases traders from e.g. Moshi purchase directly from farmers in the<br />
villages. In very few cases farmers and traders have some kind of longterm agreement with traders. Traded<br />
products are grains (at the farm level and on traditional wholesale and retail markets), pure or blended flour (on<br />
traditional retail markets either loose or packed, the latter either branded or non branded, and packed and<br />
braded in modern supermarkets) and local brews (that was not found at the market during the RMA). Flour is<br />
produced either on a household level or by some local small-scale enterprises but also by large-scale processors<br />
in Arusha and Dar Es Salaam. Flour is mainly used for porrdige. In some areas it is common to take porridge<br />
28
instead of tea in the morning, in other areas porrdige is mainly consumed by kids, pregnant women and<br />
diabetics. Local brews are also produced by individual households. Moreover, there is a processing industry for<br />
local brews in Arusha and Moshi.<br />
Ethiopia: In East Harege Zone, sorghum is mainly produced for home consumption, but still around 20% of the<br />
production is sold. There are several crop markets in each woreda (equivalent to district) of the Zone, where<br />
farmers can sell sorghum. Large markets were retailers as well as wholesalers are found are in the major town of<br />
the respective woreda (e.g. Fedis in Fedis woreda). The two major markets for sorghum from East Harege Zone<br />
are in Harer and Diredawa. In all markets only grain is traded. Processors were not found. In Awi Zone, finger<br />
millet is produced for home consumption and as a cash crop. Awi Zone has 32 Kebeles (administrative unit<br />
below woreda) and local or cooperative markets for crops are found in 20 Kebeles. The major markets are<br />
however three town markets. Some finger millet is also shipped outside Awi Sone to Gonder, Mekele and<br />
Wollo. Only finger millet grain is traded, which is than milled by households either at home or at a public mill.<br />
Finger millet flour is used for pancake (injera) or porridge. The grain is also used for local beverages. A<br />
processing industry does, however, not exist.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
This activity is the base for in depth interviews with selected traders and processors. The interviews will<br />
particularly provide information about the economic structure of the value chain and constraints and potential<br />
for the future market development.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
EIAR (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research), ARARI (Amhara Regional Agricultural Research<br />
Institute), DRD (Department of Research and Development, Tanzania), URI (Ukiriguru Research Institute, Lake<br />
Zone, Tanzania)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Mapping distribution of target crops in target countries (HOPE)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, Eritrea, southern Sudan.<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Identification of target areas for sorghum and millet<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
District-level current agricultural statistics were obtained for Kenya, but are not accessible for Tanzania,<br />
Ethiopia, and Uganda. District level data for these countries was obtained from the published data from<br />
Agricultural Censuses, conducted in 2002/3 (Tanzania), 2008/09 (Ethiopia), and 2005/06 (Uganda). The<br />
Censuses for Tanzania and Ethiopia were downloaded from the web. The Agricultural Census reports for<br />
Uganda are available from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics. No disaggregated crop statistics could be located for<br />
Eritrea and southern Sudan. The data was entered into an Excel database for mapping. District level maps for all<br />
countries were obtained from <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Unit, WCA.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Mapping of district level data is ongoing.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
This activity will contribute to development of a regional database for <strong>ICRISAT</strong> ESA, as recommended by Tom<br />
Walker, Challenges and Opportunities for Agricultural R&D in the Semi-Arid Tropics (March <strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
KARI (current crop statistics, Kenya); NARO (Uganda Agricultural Census reports).<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
29
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Baseline surveys of sorghum and finger millet production in Ethiopia<br />
and Tanzania (HOPE)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
60%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Tanzania and Ethiopia<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Collection of data on the production portfolio, input and output utilization and socio-economic aspects to<br />
characterize farmers, their trait preferences and the current farming system in the target areas.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Tanzania: Household surveys of 180 farmers in Singida district and Kondoa district respectively. In both<br />
districts the sample consists of 90 farmers from project intervention villages, 45 farmers from villages in the<br />
diffusion and 45 farmers from villages in an control area. In both districts sorghum and finger millet are grown.<br />
Ethiopia: Household survey of 130 famers in two sorghum growing areas and in one finger millet growing area<br />
(the latter is already conducted). In the finger millet area the sample consists of 90 farmers from project<br />
intervention villages and 40 farmers from villages in an control area. The samples for the sorghum growing<br />
areas still need to be defined.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Data was collected in three out of five areas. Data from the survey in Tanzania is entered at the moment, data<br />
from Ethiopia will be entered when surveys were conducted in all three sites. Data analysis will be done in<br />
2011.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
EIAR (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research), ARARI (Amhara Regional Agricultural Research<br />
Institute), DRD (Department of Research and Development, Tanzania), URI (Ukiriguru Research Institute, Lake<br />
Zone, Tanzania)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.6.3: Determinants of smallholder market participation and marketed surplus of<br />
grains in selected markets in ESA, WCA and SA<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> Market surveys for groundnut, pigeonpea and chickpea in India<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Information on preferred traits and utilization patterns will provide useful feedback to the breeders and<br />
extension workers, making dissemination of cultivars easier. Further detailed information on market-preferred<br />
traits will aid in priority development and to better understand technology uptake constraints. This will<br />
progressively inform technology design and adaptation and facilitate scaling-up of identified and promising<br />
options to the wider impact target domains beyond the pilot areas.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Market surveys conducted in important trading centers of groundnut, pigeonpea and chickpea to determine<br />
average flow of goods and peak and lean seasons. Interviews with farmers, traders, wholesalers, processors and<br />
consumers were carried out in order to gauge preferred traits for the targeted crops and the important bottlenecks<br />
30
in the marketing system. For sorghum and pearl millet analysis of secondary data on consumption was<br />
undertaken using data published by the Government of India. Such an analysis would give insights on the uses<br />
of these crops in non-food uses.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Groundnut:<br />
Groundnut is one of the most important food and cash crop of India. Almost every part of groundnut has<br />
commercial value. India markets and exports groundnut kernels, groundnut in shell, HPS groundnut, and oil<br />
cake. Groundnut haulms and leaves serve as a rich source of cattle feed and raw material for preparation of<br />
silage. This study uses a value chain analysis approach to identify the opportunities and challenges that prevail<br />
at different stages of groundnut subsector in Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh spanning a full range<br />
of economic activities.<br />
Andhra Pradesh is an important groundnut growing state and one of the largest groundnut markets in India.<br />
Salient results of a value chain analysis for groundnut in the state are presented:<br />
Adoni, Gadwal and Jedcherla are some of the biggest groundnut markets in AP. Almost 85% of the produce<br />
from 40-50 villages is brought by the farmers to these market yards. Commission agents in these market yards<br />
usually facilitate the sale of produce by inviting the traders and oil millers to the bidding process.<br />
In the bidding process the traders and oil millers assign prices to the produce depending on various<br />
characteristics. All the bids are then taken to the market yard officials who then announce the highest bidder.<br />
Most of the traders and millers from local area and traders from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu participate in this<br />
process.<br />
Most of the produce in the 90s was usually bought by the oil millers or by traders who decortify and sell it to the<br />
oil millers. However due to the high level of integration with the Mumbai markets and participation of traders<br />
from Maharashtra the utilization of produce has shifted toward confectionary purpose in these markets.<br />
Due to premiums attached in the confectionary trade most of the traders now prefer selling their decortified<br />
produce to the Maharashtra market. This has resulted in increase of the prices at the farmers’ end. On the other<br />
hand, the oil millers have not been able to buy high quality produce since the prevailing prices are well above<br />
the parity prices. This has resulted in oil millers shifting towards trading for confectionary markets or shifting to<br />
crushing of other crops like sunflower and soybean. These markets have also seen most of the local oil milling<br />
units shut down in the last 4 years. Adoni which once was regarded as an oil capital for Andhra Pradesh now<br />
imports oil from Maharashtra and Gujarat.<br />
The trading and price determination has also seen significant changes in these markets due to its integration with<br />
export and Mumbai markets. While shelling percentage was considered the most important factor for<br />
determining the price, the count per ounce which is the price determination factor for exporters is now being<br />
practiced while buying the produce at the farmers end.<br />
Chickpea:<br />
Chickpea in India is marketed either as a whole grain or in dal form or as futana (fried dal). Desi chickpea is<br />
marketed as whole grain dal and flour, while kabuli chickpea is marketed only as whole grain. Kabuli chickpea<br />
is exported to either north Indian states or other countries. The demand for the kabuli chickpea in north Indian<br />
states is gradually increasing. The processors procure the dal and futana in the markets through prevailing<br />
marketing channels. The Indian Government has implemented the export ban on pulses and zero per cent import<br />
duty. Due to this policy, imported desi chickpea is available at lower price than domestically grown desi<br />
chickpea.<br />
Salient findings from chickpea market survey in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
The marketing channel for chickpea and its processed products is marked by a few important bottlenecks.<br />
1. A majority of the harvested produce is sold to the village traders owing to prior input- credit contracts.<br />
The market price that the farmers get in this situation is typically lower than when they their produce<br />
directly to the commission agent.<br />
2. There is no organized market yard that records chickpea arrivals, and prices. The different actors are<br />
spread out geographically and information about prices is not available in one place.<br />
3. In the absence of an organized market yard, information on prices and arrivals is not available. The<br />
only information that is available is the data that is record at the district check posts. However, it has<br />
31
een noted that these check posts are bypassed frequently. Further, the data that is maintained at the<br />
check post is for pulses or for chickpea, rather than for desi and kabuli varieties.<br />
4. There are additional links in the chain between chickpea farmers and dal processors that further erode<br />
the farmer’s share in the consumers’ rupee. Dal processors prefer to buy whole grain in bulk in order to<br />
cut down on their transaction costs. However, since a lot of the chickpea farmers are small scale<br />
farmers with small marketable surpluses, a commission agent who collects all the grain from the<br />
farmers, and sells it to the dal millers in bulk quantity becomes an important actor in the value chain.<br />
There are six different market chains identified revealed by the survey and the two most common / popular ones<br />
are:<br />
1. Farmer --- Commission agent----Trader --- Processor ---- Wholesaler ----Retailer ----Consumer<br />
2. Farmer --- Trader --- Processor ---- Wholesaler ----Retailer ----Consumer<br />
Data on the preferred traits and the most common production constraints in the cultivation of chickpea were<br />
collected from important markets in Kurnool and Prakasam districts of Andhra Pradesh and Dharwad and<br />
Gulbarga districts in Karnataka.<br />
The processing firms are located near the chickpea production area, and further growth in value addition is<br />
possible. Due to the existence of processing plants at the district headquarters, value addition is done to the raw<br />
gram involving primary and secondary level of processing.<br />
Pigeonpea is mainly marketed as decorticated grain dal in India. Market surveys were undertaken in important<br />
markets in Ranga Reddy and Mahabubnagar districts of Andhra Pradesh and Akola district in Maharashtra. Data<br />
on the preferred traits and the most common production constraints in the cultivation of pigeonpea were<br />
collected. The ruling varieties differed in both the project states with Maruti ruling in Maharashtra while Asha<br />
was the most popular cultivar in Andhra Pradesh.<br />
The pigeonpea marketing chain in Maharashtra comprises a variety of numerous market intermediaries such as<br />
commission agents, traders, wholesale traders, processors, retailers, exporters, etc., between the producer-sellers<br />
and the ultimate consumers. The market intermediaries here are very powerful and control the entire regulated<br />
market. The intermediaries get the lion’s share of the profit.<br />
The most significant constraints that the farmers faced when choosing to purchase seeds were the lack of<br />
information about recommended varieties and the non-availability of required variety. The low quality of the<br />
purchased seed was also cited as a reason. Farmers preferred to sell their produce in the village itself to village<br />
traders and payment was received soon after the conclusion of the marketing transaction.<br />
High tariff for the power supply and lack of labour for pigeonpea processing activities were the major problems<br />
confronting them as processors and had telling effect on the prices of pigeonpea dal.<br />
Sorghum:<br />
By and large food consumption of sorghum exhibits a declining trend across all the major sorghum producing/<br />
consuming states both in rural and urban India, but the decline is variable across states. The largest decline in<br />
consumption is seen for the states of Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh both in rural and urban areas.<br />
Though these states were important sorghum consuming states during 1970s and 1980s, the availability of<br />
cheaper staples such as rice in Andhra Pradesh and wheat in Madhya Pradesh has contributed to the increased<br />
substitution of sorghum.<br />
However, while food use of sorghum has declined sharply at the all-India level, its use as food is still<br />
important in major producing states like Maharashtra and Karnataka after rice and wheat although at levels 50%<br />
below that in 1972–73 level. The decline in per capita food consumption of sorghum however seems to be<br />
plateauing at this lower level as indicated by data between 1999 and 2005. At the same time, the use of sorghum<br />
in alternative uses has increased from about 5% since 1993–94 to 30% or more between 1999 and 2005. Our<br />
estimates further indicate that of the total food use of sorghum only 50% is accounted for by rainy (kharif)<br />
sorghum while the rest is from post-rainy (rabi sorghum). Thus, close to 50% of kharif sorghum goes for<br />
alternative uses. These include demand from animal feed industry mainly poultry and to some extent dairy,<br />
alcohol industry, starch industry, food processing and export demand. Almost the entire production of rabi<br />
sorghum (except seed and waste) is used for human food. The potential demand for food processing, though at a<br />
nascent stage, presents encouraging prospects for value addition.<br />
32
Pearl millet:<br />
Pearl millet utilization pattern is changing in India where its use is growing as feed, alcohol, and in processed<br />
food industry. With the introduction of cheaper rice and wheat through Public Distribution System (PDS),<br />
consumers of pearl millet in rural and urban areas have shifted away from pearl millet to consumption of wheat<br />
and rice. However, in the major growing states of India its utilization as food is still important though declining.<br />
Pearl millet consumption particularly in rural areas still forms an important component of the consumption of<br />
low income consumers. The increase in pearl millet production in India juxtaposed with its declining food use<br />
implies that its use in alternative uses has been increasing as indicated by the data from less than 5% to 55% in<br />
2004–05. Armed with the above information a reconnaissance survey was carried out of pearl millet markets<br />
and its users. The market surveys indicated considerable trade in pearl millet grain both intra state and interstate.<br />
The drought in Rajasthan (particularly western Rajasthan) is one of the key factors determining pearl<br />
millet trade for food use.<br />
Pearl millet fodder is an important feed resource in the crop–livestock systems where the crop is grown.<br />
Chopped pearl millet fodder is an important feed resource in rural area particularly in winter and summer<br />
months.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
The consumption demand for sorghum and pearl millet will provide information on availability of these cereals<br />
for alternative uses and for processing. The utilization patterns will be corroborated through reconnaissance<br />
surveys of markets and finally a survey of the markets and processors will be carried out using a structured<br />
questionnaire.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>; University of Agriculture Sciences, Bangalore; University of Agriculture Sciences; Dharwad;<br />
Punjabrao Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (PKVK), Akola; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, (TNAU) Coimbatore;<br />
Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural University, Hyderabad<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
BMGF<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Groundnut in Malawi<br />
In Malawi, a study was conducted to examine the causal impact of the adoption of improved groundnut varieties<br />
on marketed surplus. The study was based on a household survey data of 400 groundnut producing households<br />
in rural Malawi collected by the International crops research Institute for the semi-Arid tropics in the year 2008.<br />
The counterfactual outcomes framework of modern evaluation theory was applied to the data to estimate the<br />
Local Average Treatment Effect (LATE) of adopting improved groundnut varieties on the amount of marketed<br />
surplus and that of marketable surplus of groundnuts. Results indicated that 45% of the groundnut producers are<br />
autarkic while the rest are net sellers. The econometric analysis shows that the adoption of improved groundnut<br />
varieties has a positive and significant impact on the amount of marketed surplus as well as that of marketable<br />
surplus. The adoption of improved groundnut varieties significantly increases the amount of marketable surplus<br />
by 12kg per capita and it increases the amount of marketed surplus by 8kg per capita. We also find that<br />
increased production and higher prices are some of the other important determinants of the quantity of marketed<br />
surplus. The findings suggest that there is a scope for increasing the participation of farmers in the marketing of<br />
groundnuts through increased cultivation of improved groundnut varieties.<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Groundnut in WCA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger, Nigeria and Mali<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Assess the level and determinants of market participation by groundnut farmers in the 3 countries.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical legumes II (TL II)<br />
33
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> Preferences for groundnut traits and varieties in West Africa: Cases of<br />
smallholder farmers in Mali, Niger and Nigeria<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Mali, Niger and Nigeria<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To systematically evaluate farmers’ preferences based on plant and seed characteristics and overall preference<br />
for varieties.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Mother trials located in 6 project village sites in each country were used as the basis of choice for traits and<br />
varieties by farmers at harvest. The villages were selected based agro-ecological zone and prior knowledge of<br />
key informants or links with other initiatives in these villages. Based on potential characteristics likely to<br />
explain choice for varieties, a discussion was held in each country with groundnut experts as well as groups of<br />
farmers in order to evaluate alternative question formats, contents and elicit general advice from consumers for<br />
different traits. The last stage in the process involved the development of the survey instruments. Only<br />
characteristics that were ranked high via the expert meeting and focus-group meetings were included in the<br />
questionnaire. Accordingly, 15 plant and seed characteristics were included. Growth habit, disease resistance,<br />
plant vigor, color of the leaves, plant maturity, number of pods, pod filling, pod beak, pod reticulation, pod<br />
strangulation, pod and haulm yields, pod size, sees size and seed color were cited as important plant and seed<br />
characteristics for groundnut. An expert panel of 30 male and female farmers were used in the survey.<br />
In Mali, the varieties JL24, Fleur 11, ICGV 86124 and ICGV 86 015 were chosen. These varieties are resistant<br />
to drought and less susceptible to foliar diseases, and different based on plant type, plant maturity, pod<br />
reticulation, pod constriction; seed color and yields. In Niger, 6 varieties were used in the PVS. These varieties<br />
selected were 55-437, TS32-1, ICG 9346, J11, JL 24 and RRB and were different based the growth type,<br />
drought tolerance, color of the leaves, pod constriction, pod beak, pod reticulation, seed color and pod yield<br />
show some variability. In Nigeria, 5 varieties were selected namely ICIAR 19BT, ICIAR 7B, ICIAR 6AT,<br />
SAMNUT21 and SAMNUT 23. These varieties are resistant to groundnut rosette and are of the erect type<br />
except for SAMNUT 21 (semi-erect). They are all early maturing except for SAMNUT21 (medium maturity),<br />
with the same number of seeds per pod except for SAMNUT 21. Differences in varieties are found based on pod<br />
beak, pod reticulation, pod constriction, seed color and yields.<br />
Ordered Probit model was used to identify factors driving the ranking of farmers on varieties and measure the<br />
value of varieties plant and seed characteristics.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Color of the leaves, maturity (short cycle), number of pods, pod size, constriction, pod yield, pod filling<br />
and taste were the important attributes explaining farmers ranking for varieties in Mali. In Niger, the color<br />
of the leaves, the number of pods per plant, pod filling, pod beak, and pod yield were the most important<br />
traits sought by farmers. In Nigeria, plant vigor, plant maturity, plant type, number of pods per plant, pod<br />
size, haulm yield and pod yield. These traits should be used to identify varieties most likely to be adopted<br />
by farmers in large germplasm collection. Varieties with traits sought by farmers should be promoted and<br />
used to build sustainable seed supply systems. Attributes such as color of leaves, pod reticulation and pod<br />
beak tend to be overlooked and should be included in future breeding programs.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
INRAN, Niger, IAR Nigeria and IER, Mali.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes II (TL II)<br />
34
MTP Output 7: Institutional innovations for reducing transaction costs and improving coordination in input<br />
and output market chains for dryland commodities in domestic and international markets identified and<br />
promoted<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.7.1: Policy recommendations for improving market institutions, linkages and<br />
coordination for selected commodities developed and shared with policy markers and partners<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> Survey on farmer’s cooperatives in ESA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya<br />
Objectives/Rationale: Determine extent to which farmer cooperatives have maintained democratic and<br />
transparent governance, avoiding capture by local elites.<br />
Methodology/Approach: Interviews with producer marketing groups (PMGs) using a pretested module were<br />
made in Kenya in 2008-09, and in Malawi and Tanzania in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
In Kenya, a study on Farmers' Informal Crops Marketing Groups was conducted and results revealed strong<br />
desire by farmers to form informal self-help groups to seek economies of scale. However, results indicated that<br />
the equilibrium sizes of informal groups tended to be small (only 5-50 members per group) and that there was<br />
limited or lack of trust and problems of leadership. This study also found evidence of a non-linear relationship<br />
between group size and members’ entry and exit decisions. Small groups tended to grow, while large groups<br />
tended to shrink, suggesting that there existed an optimal size for informal self-help groups. This optimum may<br />
depend on the nature of group activities. Smaller groups are generally perceived as more effective and larger<br />
ones as less transparent. The study also found evidence of a non-linear relationship between group size and<br />
turnover in the leadership, an indicator of having a functioning democracy. Very small groups have very low<br />
turnover, maybe a result of a binding human capital constraint due to numbers. Very large groups also have<br />
lower turnover than medium-sized groups, maybe because leading larger groups is more skill demanding,<br />
generating a new binding human capital constraint. It may also reflect that the largest groups are more attractive<br />
to capture for corrupt individuals, who will try to hang on to their lucrative positions of group exploitation once<br />
established there. Highly educated persons and persons with experience from well-paid public-sector<br />
employment are over-represented among leaders of self-help groups relative to their numbers in rural<br />
communities, especially among groups that were formed in response to NGO initiatives. This suggests that rural<br />
elites are quicker to respond to such initiatives. Thus, rural elites may enhance NGO initiatives to the benefit of<br />
poor villagers, but they may also influence implementation of NGO projects in ways that favor their own<br />
interests at the expense of the intended beneficiaries.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Molde University Norway<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.7.1: Synthesis of pilot market and institutional innovation studies in Asia using<br />
coalition approach completed<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong><br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, China<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Innovative forward and backward linkages that are fostered under the coalition approach ensure the fulfillment<br />
of the overarching project objective while meeting individual stakeholder sub-goals.<br />
35
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Strong communication protocols and bringing all stakeholders on a common platform are essential in the<br />
smooth functioning of the Coalition approach. Frequent meetings, workshops and email exchanges foster the<br />
consensus approach by encouraging open discussion.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Presently two projects involving coalition approach are being implemented in India and one in China. The two<br />
projects involve linking sweet sorghum farmers to the ethanol industry. The coalition partners involved in the<br />
projects include both research and non-research partners besides farmers. The first project in India funded by<br />
NAIP (ICAR) on Value chain model for bio-ethanol production from sweet sorghum in rainfed areas through<br />
collective action and partnership includes crop scientists from <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and the Directorate of Sorghum<br />
Research, agricultural engineers from Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture, biochemists from<br />
Indian Institute for Chemical Technology, animal nutritionists from International Livestock Research Institute<br />
and Sri Venkateshwara Veterinary University, and private sector (Rusni Distilleries). Additionally the coalition<br />
includes credit agencies, fodder traders, and fodder processors. Using the coalition approach, two different<br />
models for linking farmers to the distillery are being tested. These include the centralized model and the<br />
decentralized model. Under the centralized model, farmer in a 50 km radius of the distillery deliver the sweet<br />
sorghum stalks directly to the distillery. While in the decentralized unit, farmers outside the 50 km radius take<br />
the sweet sorghum stalk to the decentralized crushing unit and later deliver the syrup to the distillery. The<br />
forward linkages established under this model include technical support to farmers on crop production, output<br />
contract agreements between the farmers and the distillery, and research and development collaborations<br />
between CRIDA, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and ILRI. The backward linkages include formation of Farmer’s Associations,<br />
supply of seed and fertilizer, training of farmers, pricing of stalk and syrup. This Coalition thus emphasizes<br />
public-private sector partnership so that needs of the industry for a sustainable supply of feedstock and the<br />
farmers for a fair share of the value generated from sweet sorghum ethanol value chain are simultaneously met.<br />
Some of the partnerships established for the success of the value chain include seed supply from established<br />
seed companies, manufacturers of crop machinery, credit agencies to support financial needs, feed processors to<br />
process bagasse to feed pellets/blocks, markets and marketing of syrup to food industry besides for ethanol<br />
production.<br />
The second project titled Enhanced Livelihood Opportunities of Smallholders in Asia: Linking Smallholder<br />
Sweet Sorghum Farmers with the Bioethanol Industry is being implemented in India and China. Under this<br />
project, the coalition partners in India include Marathwada Agricultural University, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, local NGOs, and<br />
Tata Chemicals Ltd and seed companies from the private sector. In China, Sorghum Research Institute in<br />
Lionging Academy of Agricultural Sciences is collaborating with farmers and distillery under a contract farming<br />
arrangement.<br />
Under both projects in India and China, national planning meetings were held wherein project activities were<br />
classified month wise and the responsibilities for the individual partner institutions were clearly delineated.<br />
Regular follow-up meetings with the partners were also organized to monitor monthly plan of activities, which<br />
were used as reference guides to carry out the activities.<br />
Village level meetings were organized in collaboration with partners wherein the objectives and activities of the<br />
project were discussed with the participating farmers. These meetings were helpful in clarifying the doubts of<br />
farmers and in bringing higher clarity about the project in toto. The local village level workers, leaders and Non-<br />
Government Organization (NGO) from the cluster villages under both projects played a key role in further<br />
explaining and clarifying the project objectives.<br />
In order to ensure the production of sweet sorghum, the farmers groups have been formed in each village and all<br />
support for strengthening these groups by imparting training on improved crop production methods are being<br />
given by the participating Partner Institutions (PI) and PEA. On-farm advice and field support was extended to<br />
the farmers group during the entire cropping season. Periodic field visits conducted by the subject matter<br />
specialists from PI, and training programs ensured the confidence building among the farmers. A microentrepreneurship<br />
training on DCU establishment and operation was conducted at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NAIP funded project: Directorate of Sorghum Research, Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture,<br />
Indian Institute for Chemical Technology, International Livestock Research Institute, Sri Venkateshwara<br />
Veterinary University, Rusni Distilleries<br />
36
CFC funded project: Marathwada Agricultural University, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, local NGOs, Tata Chemicals Ltd, private<br />
seed companies, Sorghum Research Institute in Lioning Academy of Agricultural Sciences.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
National Agricultural Innovation Project (NAIP) and Common Fund for Commodities (CFC)<br />
MTP Output 8: Policies and strategies that enhance agricultural diversification into high value products<br />
(e.g., legumes, livestock, biofuels, vegetables, etc) to harness emerging demand opportunities and facilitate<br />
agribusiness enterprises developed and promoted<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.8.1 Research report on economic feasibility of diversification into high value<br />
products with emphasis on biofuels (ESA, Asia) and vegetables (WCA) completed<br />
Intermediate Output target in <strong>2010</strong>. Economics of sweet sorghum cultivation and crushing units<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
1. Assess economic competitiveness of sweet sorghum as a feedstock for bio-ethanol with sugarcane<br />
molasses and grain<br />
2. Economics of sweet sorghum cultivation vis-à-vis competing crops.<br />
3. Economic assessment of decentralized crushing unit (established at Ibrahimbad) for crushing sweet<br />
sorghum and production of syrup from sweet sorghum<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Comparative economic analysis is carried out to assess the competitiveness of sweet sorghum in relation to<br />
competing crops at Ibrahimbad, Andhra Pradesh.<br />
Ex-post and break-even analysis is carried out to evaluate the economic feasibility of the unit.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
The following are the main findings of economics of sweet sorghum cultivation vis-à-vis crops replaced Nanded<br />
district, Maharashtra under the centralized system.<br />
Cropping Pattern: Among rain-fed crops in Nanded district, sole crops of sorghum, soybean and intercrop of<br />
cotton-red gram, were the competing crops with sweet sorghum for cultivation. Apart from these crops wheat<br />
and soybean are also grown with supplement irrigation during post rainy season (Rabi) in this region.<br />
Cost of cultivation of sweet sorghum and competing crops: Total cost of cultivating sweet sorghum was Rs.<br />
14,285 / ha while that for competing crops like sorghum it was 12,797 / ha and Rs. 17,202 / ha for sorghum-red<br />
gram intercrop. Activity-wise, sowing and seed with 28 per cent was the highest component of cost of<br />
cultivation of sweet sorghum followed by land preparation and composting with 23 per cent and harvesting and<br />
threshing activity with 15 per cent. Among resources utilized for cultivation of sweet sorghum, human labor<br />
with 38 per cent was the highest resource component followed by fertilizer (farm yard manure and chemical<br />
fertilizer) with 28 per cent.<br />
Net Returns of Sweet Sorghum Cultivation and its competing crops: The average stalk yield was 20 ton / hectare<br />
and grain yield was 0.6 ton / hectare. The low grain yield was due to some of the sample farmers harvesting the<br />
crop at an early stage of maturity. Net returns of Rs. 9,503/ ha (excluding family labour) was obtained from<br />
sweet sorghum. Returns realized from sorghum & red gram intercrop was the next highest with Rs. 7,765 / ha<br />
followed by grain sorghum with Rs. 5,084/ha. Net returns realized from cultivation of high value crops like<br />
cotton and soybean was Rs. 24,982/ha and Rs. 18,664 /ha respectively. Returns realized from cultivating cotton<br />
– redgram intercrop was the highest among all the crops in Nanded district. Among the competing crops, sweet<br />
sorghum costs & returns are comparable only with grain sorghum.<br />
A brief draft note was prepared on the likely impact of the decentralized sweet sorghum unit for ethanol at the<br />
micro and macro levels based on findings from economic analysis in 2008 and 2009. In India, it is expected that<br />
37
at 10 percent mandatory blending of petrol with ethanol and assuming sweet sorghum would meet 5 % of<br />
ethanol requirement in the initial years increasing to 20 % in later years, the projected area under sweet sorghum<br />
cultivation would be 16.6 thousand hectares by 2020 @ current productivity of 20 t ha-1 . With increase in<br />
productivity larger area could be brought under sweet sorghum cultivation and blending requirement from sweet<br />
sorghum would also increase in the long run. The current production cost of sweet sorghum syrup at Rs. 26 / kg<br />
needs to be reduced by increasing the juice recovery, Brix % content, reducing unit cost of processing by<br />
improving labor efficiency and selling a portion of the product in alternate markets like food and pharma will<br />
have a big impact in reducing the unit cost of syrup.<br />
The critical areas identified for the success of the ethanol program from sweet sorghum under the decentralized<br />
unit include access and availability of improved cultivars for high juice and syrup recovery, capacity building in<br />
terms of formation of farmers association, stalk transportation chain, improving efficiency of crushing and<br />
promotion of alternative uses of bagasse. Sustainable up scaling of the decentralized units for sweet sorghum<br />
would impinge on favorable policy interventions related to pricing of stalk and end product of ethanol and<br />
institutional support linking farmers to industry.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, NRCS, CRIDA, IICT, ILRI, SVVU, MAU, TCL and Rusni Distilleries,<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
NAIP and IFAD<br />
MTP Output 9: Alternative institutional innovations to strengthen rural institutions that facilitate and<br />
enhance adoption of technological and market innovations and policy recommendations developed and<br />
shared with partners.<br />
Priority 5C, Specific goal 1: Identify mechanisms for the strengthening of producers organizations and for<br />
modes of participatory research<br />
Priority 5C, Specific goal 2: Identify new forms of partnerships with NARS, the private sector, public<br />
extension agencies, NGOs and producers organizations, and public agencies from other sectors, such as<br />
environment and health to enhance the conduct and impact from agricultural research<br />
Under this MTP output all output targets have been achieved by 2009 and <strong>2010</strong>. Hence there are no details<br />
reported here in this archival report. However , an output target under MTP output 10 (Output target 2011<br />
1.10.4) has relevance to this output also. The details of this are reported under MTP Output 10.<br />
MTP Output 10: Livelihood, institutional and policy options for investment and risk management for SAT<br />
poor developed and promoted with associated capacity building for partner<br />
MTP Output target <strong>2010</strong> 1.10.2 Uptake pathways of SAT technologies documented based on case studies and<br />
shared with national program partners in Asia<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>. Case studies on livestock and livelihoods in Zimbabwe published<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
95%<br />
The Livestock and livelihoods (LiLi markets) has been finalized, technical and financial project reports are<br />
completed, regional reports and policy briefs available in draft formats and will be used for peer reviewed<br />
journals. The project on livestock and water productivity phased out, with 1 PhD thesis completed, 2 papers by<br />
MSc students accepted in a peer reviewed journal and 3 papers in draft format to be submitted. The SLP project<br />
on optimization of crops residues started in <strong>2010</strong>. Research process and methods of data collection were<br />
designed and partnerships in the Southern African region established. Data collection and regional reports will<br />
be completed in 2011. The data characterize crop livestock systems, livelihoods and institutional context in<br />
southern Africa and led to further project development; achievement is therefore 95%.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
• LiLi markets: Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe<br />
• Livestock and water productivity: Zimbabwe<br />
• Optimization of crop residues: Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe<br />
38
Objectives/Rationale: The projects aim at improving the incomes and livelihoods of small-scale livestock<br />
producers in drought-prone areas in southern Africa. The overall working hypothesis that given the right market<br />
incentives, subsistence cattle and goat producers will move towards a more commercial orientation, with better<br />
management and higher off-take rates. Follow on projects focus more on identifying drivers of change, multipleuse<br />
technological options for improved crop-livestock productivity and trade off analysis in the allocation of<br />
crop residues for livelihood or environmental benefits.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
• LiLi markets project was implemented by a consortium of partners, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and ILRI, national<br />
research and extension services, farmers, local policy makers, NGOs and the private sector. The project<br />
developed an innovation systems approach (Innovation Platforms, IPs) that engages sub-sector<br />
participants (input suppliers, farmers, traders, market intermediaries, service providers, regulators) in a<br />
process of consultation to analyze their area specific challenges and opportunities in livestock<br />
production and marketing and develop concerted action to generate solutions and improve existing<br />
systems. Classical research tools (household surveys, participatory appraisals) were combined with the<br />
documentation of multi-stakeholder discussion and analysis.<br />
• Livestock and water productivity project focused on applied on-farm and community based research as<br />
well as strategic on-station research, primarily through post-docs, PhD and MSc students.<br />
• Optimization of crop residues project combines minimum data sets of key bio-physical parameters,<br />
village and household surveys, trend analysis, ex-ante tradeoff modeling, and identification of potential<br />
technical and institutional solutions.<br />
Main findings, results and policy implications:<br />
1) Context specific understanding of constraints and opportunities in livestock production and marketing<br />
The IP approach is the most important public good produced by the project. It aims at enhancing communication<br />
and knowledge sharing among key value chain actors and informs appropriate interventions for improving<br />
livestock markets along with appropriate technology development, dissemination and use. The approach was<br />
embraced by the different country teams and now contributes meaningfully to other initiatives in the countries.<br />
Baseline diagnostics and value chain analysis confirm that there are significant opportunities in the entire region<br />
to increase livestock production, enhance value addition by farmers (Figure 1), and thereby impact at household,<br />
local and regional level. Livestock plays a major role contributing significantly to the livelihoods and food<br />
security of households. The market itself offers strong opportunities for livestock, which motivates the sector<br />
participants to engage further in the IP process.<br />
3000<br />
Price and cost items (ZAR/goat sold)<br />
2500<br />
2000<br />
1500<br />
1000<br />
500<br />
Value Added<br />
Other costs<br />
Transport<br />
Inspection<br />
Animal Health<br />
Feed<br />
Purchase price<br />
0<br />
Producer<br />
Tshlotslo<br />
Producer<br />
Gwanda<br />
Trader<br />
Retailer<br />
Figure 1. Value addition by actors in goat value chains in Zimbabwe<br />
Main production constraints are unacceptably high mortality rates up to 30% – the first step to increase<br />
production and productivity would be to reduce mortality. More animals could thereby be availed for sale and<br />
market participation substantially increased. The nexus between a household’s livestock herd sizes, off-take and<br />
the need to sell to address household cash requirements is a critical dynamic. Farmers with small herds sell a<br />
greater proportion of their herds to makes end meet, while farmers with larger herds sell more animals, but this<br />
constitutes a small proportion of their herds.<br />
39
Since mortality is primarily a function of animal husbandry, disease and dry season nutrition are entry points. In<br />
most areas, access to inputs, technologies and support services are however major challenges, with poor or<br />
lacking government support services and lack of incentives and security for private sector investment. Farmers<br />
have poor knowledge and skills in supplementary feeding and animal health control, and rely mainly on<br />
information from other farmers. Membership in producers associations is generally low, but higher in countries<br />
like Namibia, with better developed livestock markets, indicating a strong probability that market development<br />
can stimulate collective action.<br />
Livestock markets are poorly developed and basic infrastructure not available in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.<br />
Most farmers sell livestock at the farm gate by default and do not understand essential market processes. In<br />
certain areas, livestock numbers do not warrant the time and effort for buyers to attend, resulting in low number<br />
of buyers resulting in reduced competition and therefore also reduced prices.<br />
2) Increased knowledge base of improved product marketing systems<br />
The key outcome of this project component is to increase the understanding towards challenges to improved<br />
market systems, and highest priority for making basic infrastructure accessible to communities, along with<br />
addressing institutional constraints so that market infrastructure can become functional. In Mozambique and<br />
Zimbabwe the emphasis was more on basic market infrastructure and organization, as compared to Namibia<br />
with better developed markets and priority on enhancing the performance and efficiency of these market<br />
systems. It is the IPs role to strengthen partnerships among the local market participants and strengthen<br />
confidence among them. This can be the beginning of enhancing investments in market infrastructure and<br />
services. Policy makers need to create opportunities for such partnerships through public support programs or by<br />
attracting private sector engagement. Country examples are:<br />
In Mozambique the IP played a vital role in raising awareness of these challenges to the relevant authorities. The<br />
participants requested government and other development partners to assist the communities with funds to<br />
support the construction of the necessary infrastructure. The investment partners responded positively through<br />
the financing of two projects, sale pens in Changara (Tete province) and an abattoir in Chicualacuala (in Gaza<br />
province).<br />
In Zimbabwe the IPs decided for the establishment and rehabilitation of conventional auctions as the best way of<br />
selling off livestock. The country teams engaged successfully in new initiatives for developing auctions in<br />
Gwanda (Matabeleland North Province), which materialized in goat sales of a total value of USD 53,000 at one<br />
newly constructed sale pen 2009. In Tsholotsho (Matabeleland North) the activities were inhibited by<br />
institutional constraints, showing that facilitating strong social relationships among local government, sellers,<br />
buyers and service suppliers is critically important so that market infrastructure can become functional.<br />
In Namibia, Omatjete (Erongo region) the IP encouraged farmers to appreciate the possible value buyers could<br />
add by providing market information to farmers and jointly develop more efficient market systems. In<br />
Hoachanas (Hardap region) highlighted the need to improve the operational efficiency of the farmers<br />
associations’ marketing committee by advertising market events, mobilizing farmers to supply sufficient number<br />
of quality animals, and organizing the actual market days.<br />
3) Increased knowledge base of improved input delivery systems<br />
IPs defined closer access to production technologies, training and inputs as most critical challenge for farmers to<br />
increase livestock productivity. Most technical options, inputs and information are available within the national<br />
research and extension systems but not accessible for farming communities. The role of government in<br />
providing support services in technology dissemination is dwindling as a result of limited resources, lack of<br />
skilled and experienced personal. In Mozambique and Zimbabwe NGOs are slowly taking up livestock<br />
production in their programs and recognize market led input delivery as more sustainable strategy than hand<br />
outs, e.g. promoting investment in community infrastructure or rural agro-dealer programs. In Namibia, where<br />
farmers’ associations and private sector played a greater role in market development processes they were<br />
initiated to form a new partnerships in running a veterinary outlet, and thereby made inputs, information and<br />
technologies available to farmers.<br />
The project demonstrated the importance of investing in capacity building and delivery systems, towards<br />
integrated and market oriented input and technology dissemination. Should small scale farmers engage in<br />
increased procurement of inputs, the private sector can provide these services where it is to their benefit, i.e.<br />
livestock traders display technologies and information at livestock market places or agro-dealers stock<br />
agricultural inputs (for crop and livestock production) at rural business centres and sell them at livestock market<br />
40
places where farmers are concentrated and with cash in hand. The input market potential in the small-scale<br />
farming sector has been largely underestimated and need to be demonstrated to the private sector.<br />
It is strongly recommended to enable input suppliers to make their services (with regards to information and<br />
products) available at the point of livestock sale. Preliminary information clearly illustrates farmer’s<br />
preparedness to purchase inputs the point where animals are sold. By providing inputs at the market place will<br />
create the incentive for further investments in production.<br />
IPs by facilitating the dialogue among value chain participants are instrumental to create the link between<br />
market development and improved input delivery systems. Thereby they can make livestock production<br />
technologies and services accessible to the communities. Policies need to encourage partnerships that gradually<br />
build and improve alternative forms of input delivery.<br />
4) Improved information dissemination and evaluation of technology and market opportunities<br />
The project successfully established a communication strategy that engages relevant stakeholders in an area to<br />
share information, and jointly make decisions and plan new initiatives. IPs facilitated direct links between<br />
farmers and other sub-sector participants (private and public), with operational structures defined by the local<br />
IPs themselves. Once established, the IPs engaged in iterative processes of consultations through form of<br />
workshops during which they defined their own agenda, diagnosed problems and options for improvements.<br />
These workshops were interspersed with project activities agreed upon by the IP, e.g. surveys, trainings,<br />
exchange visits. Initially the IP was strongly facilitated by the project, and funded through the project. Ideally<br />
stakeholders can gradually take over this role as the benefits to the role-players are established. The IPs can<br />
merge into larger networks that enhance knowledge transfer and learning. The IPs thereby the first time brought<br />
all participants in the livestock sector together to debate about their common interest. This has helped to<br />
improve their understanding about their roles and requirements in interaction with farmers. By engaging local<br />
policy makers the IPs increased their capacity in developing supportive policy options for linking farmers to<br />
livestock markets and improved support services. Effective IP structures however need substantial facilitation<br />
which needs to be budgeted in time and costs. The real value in studying the IPs is to document the modes of<br />
operations, challenges and lessons learned. It is therefore important to define efficient and functional M&E<br />
procedures at the onset of the IPs.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
The presentation of the results focus on the LiLi markets project and major project outcomes from the IP<br />
approach. Beyond its projects <strong>ICRISAT</strong> had various requests to train institutions in other countries and on other<br />
commodities on the IP approach. The results/outcomes are available as draft reports but not yet submitted for<br />
publication.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
LiLi markets<br />
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Nairobi and Mozambique<br />
• Mozambican Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM), Mozambique<br />
• Namibia National Farmers Union, NNFU, Namibia<br />
• Department of Agricultural Research for Development (DAR4D) and Department of Livestock<br />
Production and Development (DLPD), Zimbabwe<br />
Livestock and water productivity<br />
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Ethiopia<br />
• International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Ethiopia<br />
• Department of Agricultural Research for Development (DAR4D), Zimbabwe<br />
• Center for Development Research (ZEF), Germany)<br />
Optimization of crop residues<br />
• International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Ethiopia and Mozambique<br />
• Bunda college, Malawi<br />
• Mozambican Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM), Mozambique<br />
• Department of Agricultural Research for Development (DAR4D), Zimbabwe<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
• Livestock and livelihoods: Improving market participation by smallholder producers, 2007-<strong>2010</strong>, funded by<br />
EU and support from SADC<br />
41
• Improving Water Productivity of Crop-Livestock Systems of Sub-Saharan Africa, 2008 -<strong>2010</strong>, led by<br />
ILRI/IWMI, funded by BMZ<br />
• Optimizing livelihood and environmental benefits from crop residues in smallholder crop-livestock systems<br />
in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia: regional case studies, <strong>2010</strong>-2011, funded by CGIAR SLP<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.10.1 <strong>Report</strong> on rural livelihoods in the context of relief programs in Zimbabwe<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> Protracted Relief Program (PRP): Conservation Agriculture Practices and<br />
Challenges in Zimbabwe<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
At least 88 % of the farmers in the panel study continue to practice conservation agriculture, after at least 5<br />
years of adoption.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Zimbabwe<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The present study is continuation of the previous panel survey completed as per the MTP Output target 2009<br />
1.10.2. The study sought to assess the conservation agriculture practices, constraints and contribution to food<br />
security.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The study is based on a panel survey approach established in 2007 assessing the adoption trends of households<br />
where conservation agriculture has been promoted by different donor agencies. The 2009/10 panel survey<br />
followed a similar trend to the preceding surveys but more emphasis was put on addressing the major challenges<br />
which have been recurring in previous studies. Two parallel surveys were conducted to investigate labor<br />
requirements and use of crop residues as mulching material in conservation agriculture practices.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Food insecurity remains one of the major challenges faced by vulnerable households in rural Zimbabwe. The<br />
majority of the households in the communal areas of Zimbabwe are resource constrained and are perennially<br />
faced with food insecurity and malnutrition. Hand hoe based conservation agriculture involving digging of<br />
planting basins is being promoted in the smallholder farming sector to improve and stabilize yields while<br />
preserving soil and water. Winter weeding, crop residues application and rotation were least practiced across the<br />
survey districts. Fertilizer application was largely dependent on provision of free relief inputs. Contribution of<br />
conservation agriculture to food security is still limited due to smaller plot sizes and labor constraints.<br />
Recommendation to mechanize conservation agriculture will improve the technology adoption with support<br />
from a functioning input market.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
The contribution of conservation agriculture to food security is limited by small area, largely attributed to labor<br />
constraint associated with the hand hoe based planting basins, limited access to improved seed and fertilizer. To<br />
address these challenges to adoption, conservation agriculture should be promoted under functioning input and<br />
output markets and labor saving technologies such as the use of herbicides and mechanization of land<br />
preparation should be promoted.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
AGRITEX, CARE, CAFOD, CRS, World Vision, Save the Children (UK), Action Contre la Faim (ACF),<br />
Christian AID and Concern Worldwide<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
FAO Letter of Agreement (LOA) for Conservation Agriculture Panel Study, Labor Measurements and Basin<br />
Size Trials.<br />
Addendum for supplementary PRP funding.<br />
World Vision Zimbabwe Memorandum of Agreement for providing technical supporting to agricultural<br />
development.<br />
42
Intermediate Output target <strong>2010</strong> Zimbabwe Emergency Agricultural Relief Program (ZEAIP)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Seed utilization rate - 90 % of the relief seed received was planted. ZEAIP contributed 41% of the maize<br />
planted by beneficiary households.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Zimbabwe<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The Zimbabwe Emergency Agricultural Input Project (ZEAIP), funded by World Bank and managed by GRM<br />
International was implemented in 45 districts in all the 8 rural provinces of Zimbabwe. The program was<br />
implemented through NGOs, distributing maize seed or vouchers which could be redeemed for maize seed at<br />
retail shops to vulnerable households. Over 300,000 households accessed 10kg maize seed. These inputs were<br />
distributed though direct distribution in 40 districts and through retail voucher program in 5 districts. <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
was contracted to implement the impact assessment of ZEAIP.<br />
The study sought to review the efficiency of targeting vulnerable households, quantities of seed distributed to<br />
households, seed utilization rates, areas planted to ZEAIP seed and overall impact of ZEAIP maize seed to<br />
household and national crop production and food security.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The first survey (post planting) was implemented in 12 districts systematically sampled to reflect the diversity of<br />
NGOs and the different natural regions. A total of 1079 household were interviewed in February and March for<br />
the post-planting survey. This initial survey investigated targeting efficiency, whether ZEAIP seed was<br />
distributed, seed utilization rates as well as areas planted to ZEAIP maize seed. The second survey (post harvest)<br />
was implemented in 6 districts and a third of the households (364) that participated in the post planting survey<br />
were covered. The post-harvest survey was implemented in May and June where a smaller sample was used to<br />
enable detailed field area and yield measurements from ZEAIP and comparison plots. The second survey<br />
collected information on crop harvest, impacts of the ZEAIP program on household and national food security.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
The post planting survey results indicate that targeting of beneficiaries was efficient and largely focused on<br />
vulnerable households. Over 72% of the beneficiaries did not have access to draft power, and the average maize<br />
production in the previous season was 114.4kg per capita reflecting a deficit from the minimum food security<br />
requirements of 167 kg per capita. Each ZEAIP recipients received 10kg of maize seed, with some exceptions<br />
where the local NGO split a 10kg-pack between two beneficiaries giving an average lower than 10 kg. Some<br />
NGOs gave CA demo farmers 2 packs in other areas which resulted in an average of higher than 10 kg. An<br />
estimated 307 630 households benefited from this relief project.<br />
The ZEAIP maize seed was distributed on time to recipient households. Eighty-six percent of the seed was<br />
distributed by November and by the first week of December all seed had been distributed. Based on post<br />
planting survey results 90% of the seed received through ZEAIP was planted although drought spells affected<br />
crop planting activities in the southern drier parts of the country. Based on the average seed utilization rate of<br />
90% and the actual quantity of seed delivered, it is estimated that improved ZEAIP maize seed was cultivated on<br />
137, 050ha of smallholder farmers’ land. For these recipients, ZEAIP was a major source of maize seed in<br />
2009/10 cropping season contributing 41% of the total maize area planted in the targeted areas. There was an<br />
overall 14% increase in the area planted to maize during the 2009/10 cropping season as compared to 2008/09<br />
season. This increase in maize area planted can be attributed to improved access to maize seed through ZEAIP.<br />
Harvest data indicated that ZEAIP contributed to about 60% of the total maize production in the study area.<br />
Farmers who planted ZEAIP hybrid maize had higher yields (1,747 kg/ha) compared to Non - ZEAIP hybrid<br />
maize (1,252 kg/ha). Improved seed distributions from ZEAIP enabled households to achieve maize yields of<br />
1411kg/ha compared to 620kg/ha from recycled seeds. Relief distribution may need to focus on making hybrid<br />
seed accessible to farmers, even in drier agro ecological regions. This finding is reinforced by the consistent<br />
preference of hybrid maize seed by farmers in the study districts. Despite poor rains experienced in most past of<br />
the country the proportions of households that produced enough grain increased from 30% in 2009 to 48% in<br />
<strong>2010</strong> season.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
43
A shift from direct input distribution to market based options will be necessary if commercial market channels<br />
are to be revived in Zimbabwe. Current options for market based input relief include the voucher system<br />
redeemable in retail shops and seed fairs for local seed acquisition. However, in areas where there is inadequate<br />
market infrastructure, direct distribution may need to be maintained, and can be complemented by seed fair<br />
vouchers which require less of fully functional market infrastructure. It is becoming increasingly important to<br />
incorporate markets in relief programs as a strategy to promote functional and sustainable local seed markets.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Protracted Relief Program (PRP) partner NGOs.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
The World Bank through GRM International (management team for PRP) funded ZEAIP.<br />
Intermediate output target <strong>2010</strong>-Tracking the Diffusion of Improved Varieties in South Asia (TRIVSA)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
10%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Haryana)<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Despite the progress made in the past, poverty is still concentrated in South Asia, which accounts for around 350<br />
million, or one-third, of the world’s poor of about 1.1 billion. Substantial scope exists for a further reduction in<br />
poverty through crop genetic improvements to increase and stabilize the yields of major food crops. Modern<br />
varietal change in itself may not lift large numbers of people out of poverty, but greater dynamism in this area<br />
can go a long way toward moving poor people closer to that threshold. Moreover, modern varietal change can<br />
set the stage for the adoption of improved crop management practices, thereby making it possible for farmers to<br />
reduce the cost of production substantially. The lack of dynamism in varietal change in food-crop production<br />
represents wasted opportunity that is potentially very large, exacting a heavy toll on poor producers and<br />
consumers alike. The aim of this project is to lay the groundnut work for tracking and successes and failures of<br />
crop improvement investments and for understanding the impact of those investments on poverty, nutrition and<br />
food security.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The project starts with wider understanding of key aspects of the performance of food-crop genetic<br />
improvement in priority commodities (<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Mandate crops) in India. Initially, the emphasis begins with<br />
documentation of modern varietal database as well as the scientific strength of crop improvement by commodity<br />
programs. Later, it will be followed up with document the perceived adoption of new cultivars of <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
mandate crops through expert elicitations using Delphi technique. At the second level, a nationally<br />
representative survey will be conducted in any one state of India (where five <strong>ICRISAT</strong> crops are grown) for<br />
deeper understanding about the adoption and diffusion of new cultivars.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
• The project inception workshop was held in June, <strong>2010</strong> at Kathmandu, Nepal. The project work plans are<br />
finally and submitted to IRRI in November, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
• Design, adoption and standardized of protocols have been finalized for data assembly on varietal release<br />
and strengths of NARS crop improvement programs<br />
• Crop-variety databases on Pearl millet (from AICPMIP) and Sorghum (from DSR) have been collected<br />
• The expert consultations with Pearl millet and sorghum breeder groups are under progress.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
IRRI and NARS from India<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tracking the Diffusion of Improved Varieties in South Asia (TRIVSA)<br />
44
MTP Output target 2011 1.10.2 <strong>Report</strong> on household economies in SAT Asia (2001-2009) completed<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Preparation of village profiles for six traditional villages (Aurepalle,<br />
Dokur, Shirapur, Kalman, Kanzara and Kinkheda) of VDSA project.<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
70%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Broad objective is to understand and document the dynamics of the study villages over a period of four decades.<br />
Specific objectives of the study are as follows:<br />
1. To document the changes in livelihood system and their underlying factors.<br />
2. To analyze the poverty dynamics observed in the villages and factors contributing towards moving out of<br />
poverty and getting into the poverty trap.<br />
3. To understand the development pathways of different households over a period of four decades.<br />
4. To know the role, effectiveness and impacts of various institutions, and government programs on the<br />
villagers.<br />
5. Finally, based on the results and findings of the study, put forward some policy suggestions for promoting<br />
growth in rural areas, foster technology generation and exchange, improve food and nutrition security,<br />
enhance resilience in livelihood systems and speed up poverty reduction.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The study was completed using both quantitative and qualitative household data as well as secondary data.<br />
These include: (1) Analysis of longitudinal data for the period 1975-1984 and 2001-2009; (2) Collection of<br />
secondary data; (3) Focus group discussions with the villagers; and (4) Thorough review of existing literature<br />
and publications on the villages.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
All the six study villages have progressed over time. The crop productivity, real wages, employment<br />
opportunities and real incomes have increased over time. Cropping pattern and sources of incomes have<br />
changed significantly. Poverty levels have declined substantially, especially in the recent past. Access to and<br />
average level of education have increased across all the villages, castes, gender and economic groups. The<br />
overall living standard has improved in these villages. However, these changes varied in degree across the<br />
selected villages. The main drivers of development/change are: growth of non-farm activity in Aurepalle;<br />
migration income in Dokur; intensification of agriculture and technology adoption in Kanzara; increase in farm<br />
productivity in Kinkheda, diversification of crop production and economic activities (including industries) in<br />
Shirapur; and diversification of farm and non-farm activities in Kalman. Amongst these villages, development<br />
in Kinkheda was relatively less due to lack of social capital and collective action.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.10.3 Analysis of alternate investment options and their trade-offs completed<br />
and accessible to rural poor in Asia<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> - Vulnerability to climate change: adaptation strategies and layers of<br />
resiliency<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The specific objectives were to understand and identify:<br />
i) The perceptions to climate change;<br />
45
ii) Vulnerability and adaptation capacity based on their perceptions; and<br />
iii) Adaptation strategies emerging at the technological, institutional and the socio-economical level of<br />
the farmers in the SAT.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Purposive sampling was used to understand and identify perceptions of climate change and subsequent<br />
adaptation practices. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were carried out with large, medium<br />
and small farmers, landless labourers and women using semi-structured questionnaires. Among the farming<br />
group, care was taken to interact separately with the first (older) and the second (younger) generation farmers in<br />
order to appreciate the difference and similarities in their perceptions and adaptation behaviour. The information<br />
gathered was triangulated by means of narratives, timelines and transect walks. A total of 21 FGDs, and 52<br />
individual interviews were conducted.<br />
The coding process was the most important part of the analysis as it formed the basis of the findings that<br />
emerged related to perceptions, vulnerability, adaptations to climate change and the layers of resilience for the<br />
same.<br />
Key issues that emerged during the first round of data collection were incorporated into the analytical<br />
framework and further rounds of elicitation carried out to gain a deeper understanding of the subject. This<br />
process hence helped generate explanations regarding the impact and the adaptations, the role of institutions,<br />
technology, participation and collective action that were grounded in the context of climate change.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
The threats related to climate change are apparent across the globe. It has been accepted that the worst hit in the<br />
coming future are going to be the agricultural community. Therefore it a need for micro-level studies to<br />
understand community perceptions and actions as a guide in devising viable adaptation strategies. Through the<br />
capability approach and using grounded theory as the method of analysis, this paper tries to understand the<br />
perceptions of the farmers to climate change, the impacts and the adaptation strategies and behaviour that they<br />
are demonstrating based on their perceptions. In doing so the paper draws attention to certain constraints that the<br />
communities in the six villages are facing and the implications on their capabilities and capacity to adapt. The<br />
six villages representing the first generation <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Village Level Studies (VLS) sites, are unique as the<br />
presence of longitudinal data enables the understanding of perceptions of both the first generation (old) and<br />
second generation (young) of farmers. The study showed that climate change/variability is becoming a major<br />
concern for the farming and non-farming community. Because of their perceptions, they have been adapting and<br />
have developed coping strategies to shield themselves against climate uncertainties. Diversification into short<br />
duration crops, commercial crops like sugarcane and soybean along with experimenting with vegetable growing,<br />
indigenous methods of soil conversation, the involvement of women in farm activities, and caste- based<br />
professions have emerged as effective strategies that have come to be accepted socially and culturally at the<br />
local level. At the institutional and the community level, there are serious constraints towards adapting to what<br />
may be a more challenging future resulting from climate change. The lack of collective feeling and action has<br />
hindered bargaining for better market prices and the development of alternate livelihood options. The minimal<br />
impact of ICT as an information dissemination tool is a source of concern. As climatic conditions are changing<br />
it is important to acknowledge that there needs to be robust medical and health care systems and facilities which<br />
can take care of health issues particularly which will be on the rise due to changing climatic conditions. The<br />
need for better financial inclusion and access to more formal systems of finance is pertinent not only to<br />
increasing the capabilities of the women but also the overall adaptive capacity of the household, especially<br />
during crisis situations or climatic shocks. The current study is an attempt to represent the understanding of the<br />
farming community to climate change and therefore the starting point for sensitising the policy makers to work<br />
towards aiming to enhance capabilities on adaptation measures of farmers in the semi-arid regions of India and<br />
mainstreaming of successful adaptation strategies in the agricultural development agenda.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
India, other partner countries are following similar suit.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Asian Development Bank (ADB)<br />
MTP Output target 2011 1.10.4 Policy package elements on risk management strategies for mitigating the<br />
impact of risks inherent in rainfed agriculture developed and shared with partners in Asia<br />
46
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Enhancing Farmers Adaptation to Climate Change in Arid and Semi-<br />
Arid Agriculture of India: Evidences from Indigenous practices<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The paper attempts to explore how global Climate Change (CC) agenda and processes ( covering concerns,<br />
debates, negotiations, research- based projections, impacts and actions etc. broadly collectively termed as “<br />
global discourse” in this paper), can help enhance the farmers ‘adaptations against impacts of CC in arid and<br />
semi–arid regions of India, which is potentially more vulnerable to climate change.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Based on village, farm and plot level information from different studies during last 30 years in different parts of<br />
arid and semi arid areas of India, the paper synthesizes the attributes of the said adaptation strategies. The paper<br />
looks at their relevance in the context of evolving potential responses to impacts of CC in the dry regions of<br />
India. The relevant components of global discourse on CC for their ability to help farmers for enhancing their<br />
adaptation strategies were also looked at.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
Since the climate-linked risks are as old as agriculture in these regions, the farmers have learned to live with<br />
them by evolving various coping measures to minimize the impacts of climatic variability. The short and long<br />
term, as well as individual and collective coping measures against risks form the part of the overall adaptation<br />
strategies of dry land farmers. Based on the intra- regional biophysical and socio- economic differences, the<br />
adaptations show considerable diversity and flexibility as well as gradual change in their contents with the<br />
changing constraints and opportunities. Besides, three points that are central to our discussion on adaptations to<br />
CC can be noted.<br />
First, the highly variable weather (or climate) conditions in the dry regions have shaped the farmers responses or<br />
adaptations in the past. They may offer some insights and clues for evolving place based adaptation strategies to<br />
CC for the future. Second, the farmer's adaptation strategies (with some intra-regional differences) are not<br />
directed to weather variability exclusively. They are addressed to multiple constraints and opportunities<br />
including those having links with climatic variables. Third, the farmers’ adaptations measures not only have<br />
significant diversity and flexibility, but tendency to evolve (change) with the emergence of new opportunities<br />
and constraints. The implications of the above in the context of changing climatic conditions in the dry regions<br />
would include (i) possibility of harnessing the potential complementarities between traditional, farmer- evolved<br />
measures and those generated through modern technologies and management systems, (ii) designing and<br />
harnessing of micro-macro links- based policy-programme interventions to make dry land agriculture and<br />
rural development climate sensitive, (iii) re-orientation of institutions and overall support systems for dry land<br />
agriculture to enhance capacity of dry land communities to withstand the negative impacts of CC.<br />
Any Comments/Explanations:<br />
The paper serves as background for highlighting constraining features of global discourse on climate change<br />
specially its missing links with micro level situations. The dry land agricultural context along with the<br />
traditional adaptation experiences; quantified field observations about adaptations at grass root levels were<br />
illustrated to reflect the diversity and dynamics of farmers’ adaptation measures; farmers’ experience based<br />
perception guiding adaptation strategies and indicative implications and imperatives of the above issues, mainly<br />
in terms of making dry agriculture and rural development climate sensitive.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
India, other partner countries are following similar suit.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Asian Development Bank (ADB)<br />
47
MTP Output target 2011 1.10.4a. A Ph. D dissertation on social networks and technology innovations<br />
completed<br />
Intermediate output target <strong>2010</strong>: Mapping the social network architecture of rural communities:<br />
Insights from two villages in semi-arid tropics of India<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
80%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To date, however, as discerned from the literature, we are still far from being able to understand and design<br />
ways that can harness the full potential of social networks. Understanding when, why, and how social networks<br />
function best is important. It is here that social network analysis plays an important role. More methodological<br />
and conceptual work is needed to understand the network conditions that best help to nurture and support the<br />
many aspects of rural communities. The focus of this study is on the Semi-Arid Tropics (SAT) poor engaged in<br />
agriculture, the marginalized groups especially women.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The study is designed in such a way to include participatory and inter-disciplinary research. These include:<br />
Qualitative methods of data collection. Focus groups meeting with men and women farmers in the two study<br />
locations were conducted to understand the important transactions that people have in these two villages. The<br />
qualitative surveys in Aurepalle and Kanzara were also aimed to understand the villagers’ perceptions about<br />
Technological, policy-related changes and development programs in the village over the past two or<br />
three decades.<br />
Which among these impacted them the most?<br />
What are the different social network groups in the village?<br />
What role did social networks play in the adoption of these technologies and development<br />
interventions?<br />
Based on the analysis of this information, it was decided to focus as case studies: the Self-Help Groups (SHGs)<br />
in Aurepalle and how they influenced welfare outcomes; and the kinship networks in Kanzara for diffusion of a<br />
specific seed technology.<br />
A semi-structured questionnaire was developed to study social networks effectively. The methodology for<br />
understanding village dynamics and social relationships and networks was developed in 2008. A village census<br />
was done to capture village dynamics and social relationships both within and outside the villages. The village<br />
census instrument used in the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> VLS census rounds until 2007 was examined in detail. The VLS census<br />
instrument covered vital statistics on demographic, landholding and asset details of the entire population of the<br />
village. It was strongly recommended by the experts that the 2007 census be methodologically enhanced to<br />
capture village dynamics. Inclusion of key variables measuring relationships, key transactions and networks<br />
among individuals/households in the village was recommended to augment the recently completed 2007 census.<br />
A survey instrument was developed to collect information on the major transactions – economic, socio-culturalpolitical<br />
and technology related – from all adult members in the village. The questionnaire was implemented<br />
after conducting Focus Group Meetings (FGM) and pilot testing the draft questionnaire.<br />
Quantitative analysis using STATA and visual analysis using UCINET software are currently ongoing. This<br />
include mapping of the network architecture (including networks developed either through formal organizations,<br />
kinship groups, neighborhoods networks, work groups, self-help groups, or informal interactions) for<br />
investigating the flow of information, access to new opportunities and identifying the hubs or focal points for<br />
introducing interventions .<br />
The above analysis is complemented by descriptive analysis of these network maps and will address how and<br />
why are social networks fragmented within communities? Which collective benefits could emerge from creation<br />
of new links? How do the networks affect outcomes, etc. Essentially, through a network analysis the patterns of<br />
relations between actors will be mapped.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
a. Analysis of the data on linkages existing in the village: This analysis revealed the different groups existing in<br />
the village and the flow of information. In Kanzara it was found that there are two dominant groups existing in<br />
48
village – the credit society group (dominated by male members of the community) and the women self help<br />
groups. In Aurepalle, a contrasting picture was seen – there are many networks/groups operating the village and<br />
it was observed that people belonged to multiple groups/networks. Women belonged to the self-help groups as<br />
well as the credit society, men were members of the credit society, and they were members of the education<br />
committee and so on. This result raises some questions- what are the reasons for people of Aurepalle to form<br />
diverse networks and be a part of them? Are there cultural, social, economic or political reasons as to why<br />
people of Kanzara are not coming together to from new networks? These can be addressed through the social<br />
network analysis.<br />
b. Mapping the network architecture in the two villages<br />
Step 1: Reorganizing data into matrix form.<br />
As the data collected is very voluminous (about 15,000-20,000 observations approx. per village), it became<br />
difficult for handling in Microsoft Excel. Hence I took training in the use of STATA software for data<br />
management and some analysis. The network maps are drawn using UCINET 6.1 Netdraw tool. To be able to<br />
use this tool, it was mandatory to get all the relationships data into a matrix . Matrices were structured using<br />
STATA.<br />
Step 2: Documenting the network architecture of the village.<br />
The figure below shows a network map for village Aurepalle using a random sample of households. Similar<br />
maps are also developed for village Kanzara.<br />
Figure. A Network map of head of households in Aurepalle using a random sample of households<br />
If the above map is closely examined, it can be noticed that the pie can be cut into two parts or circles. The<br />
centre portion or the core or the inner circle is where the connections between people are dense and well<br />
connected. The periphery on the other hand shows the households/individuals who are not so well connected.<br />
Does this mean they are not well off and or are excluded? The qualitative life histories and the analysis of the<br />
three decades of data available on these households from the <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-VLS will help to get answers to these<br />
questions. The characteristics of the relationships as well as the attributes of the individuals/households – their<br />
caste, class status, other sociological variables like education, family size, risk taking behavior as well as their<br />
asset position and resource endowments – through the descriptive quantitative and qualitative analysis will help<br />
us to understand the outputs – who are connected to whom, why and how; how does this connection influence<br />
the outcomes.<br />
Two social network measures, Betweenness and Closeness, are particularly revealing of a node’s advantageous<br />
or constrained location in a network. The values of both metrics are dependent upon the pattern of connections<br />
that a node is embedded in. Betweenness measures the control a node has over what flows in the network – how<br />
often is this node on the path between other nodes? Closeness measures how easily a node can access what is<br />
available via the network – how quickly can this node reach all others in the network? A combination where a<br />
node has easy access to others, while controlling the access of other nodes in the network, reveals high informal<br />
power.<br />
49
Step 3. Analyzing networks by gender, caste, and transactions<br />
After analyzing the network map of the random sample of households, the next step was to analyse the network<br />
architectures by gender and type of transaction. As an example the network architecture of women in Aurepalle<br />
who are involved in land and labor transactions is presented here. By land and labor transactions here it is<br />
meant women who are involved in sale of land, leasing in or leasing out land for agriculture and crop sowing<br />
purposes, contracting labor for work, providing employment to labor households etc. It was observed that the<br />
connections are loosely arranged and not dense. More often it is a one on one transactions and is not a very well<br />
connected network. The circular nodes depict women while the squares are the men with whom they have these<br />
transactions. The transactions by women are always with men in these activities and there is not even one<br />
transactions between two women. Even if there is a link between two women in this case it is through a male<br />
member. In contrast such a network for men was found to be dense.<br />
A network map of men from one caste group (the Gowda community which is one of the dominant caste groups<br />
in Aurepalle was also mapped. Taking a sample of households which belong to the VLS sample, the network<br />
architecture of these men are documented . The results reveal that 5 households are linked to each other through<br />
one transaction or the other. But one household has no connections with the other members of the community.<br />
Is it the case that this household is poor and therefore has no connections with members of his own caste group?<br />
Or are the connections of this household with people not necessarily from his own caste group? Is it that he<br />
does not indulge in the caste occupation – toddy tapping as he has no date palm trees? Answers to these<br />
questions can be got from an analysis of the VLS data which gives us information about his primary occupation,<br />
his income and asset position, as well as the individual history of the individual and the household. Another<br />
interesting node in this network is the node with id A0109001. This individual has links with people outside the<br />
village and that too with institutions like the Grameen Bank, Mandal Revenue Officer etc. His links with the<br />
people within the village are through his affiliations outside the village. Indepth interviews with him also reveal<br />
that he is the husband of the ex-sarpanch of the village. When his wife was in power he was the one who would<br />
approach the officials for bringing development programs in the village. He is also a money lender within the<br />
village and maintains network with people outside the village to maintain his powerful status in the village.<br />
Another case study is the network architecture of a money lender from a forward caste. As illustrated in the<br />
analysis of the data as well as Focus Group Discussions, he is a powerful hub/node in the village. A close<br />
examination of the predominance of the money lender in the village given that there are other sources of credit<br />
available to the rural poor revealed that the transaction costs of approaching a money lender is still small<br />
compared to approaching the bank or a SHG in the case of women. Also he is able to ensure that the produce is<br />
sold at a better price and the farmer gets some money back after repayment of the loan to the money lender.<br />
Moreover, the money lender also assists the farmer in procuring the needed inputs for crop production. His<br />
links with the outside groups also form a channel for information flows. In the earlier decades, the money lender<br />
was an important focal point in the village as he was the main source of credit to the famers from all class and<br />
caste categories. With the spread of financial institutions in the villages and the women Self Help Groups<br />
which are now the source of micro-credit, and the awareness by the communities of the advantages of these<br />
formal sources of finance, the money lenders have now a limited role to play. They are still popular in the<br />
villages because if the farmer wants a large sum of sum without the hassles of the banking procedures, he/she<br />
still approaches the money lender for financial help. This mapping gives a picture of how important this<br />
node/focal point is in the present economy and for what purposes is this focal point important.<br />
The network table of the money lender (Mr Vattem Rama Rao) in Aurepalle presents an interesting picture. His<br />
transactions now are reduced to more of a socio-cultural-political kind of transactions. He is seen interacting<br />
with people in the village from mostly his own caste group and some other forward caste group members.<br />
About 50% of his transactions are with his relatives either by blood or marriage. His monetary/economic<br />
transactions are again outside the village and include mostly formal financial institutions. As he does not<br />
practice agriculture, he has no transactions related to agricultural technology. Also since he belongs to the<br />
forward caste, he does not have any interactions with people in power (village council) regarding the<br />
development programs as he is not a beneficiary of the programs. He lives alone in the village and his<br />
transactions are mostly limited to his caste group now, which was not the case about 20 years back.<br />
He figures in 120 networks though. As mentioned earlier he still is the source of credit as far as large sums of<br />
money are considered and about 60 people in the village still approach him for economic help. About 50 people<br />
approach him for socio-cultural-political needs (e.g. As a respected person while fixing marriage alliances of<br />
their kith and kin, and to some extent for information regarding formation of SHGs, how to get loans from the<br />
banks, how much interest from the banks etc).<br />
50
c. Case studies<br />
Women Self-help groups in Aurepalle: As mentioned earlier in the report there are about 53 SHGs operating in<br />
Aurepalle. Information on 45 groups has been collected (see example below). These are currently being<br />
analysed using the network data. Network maps both in tabular form as well as in pictorial form will be<br />
developed. The maps of women belonging to SHG will be compared with those maps of women who do not<br />
belong to a SHG will be compared. An in-depth qualitative survey will be conducted to draw further inferences.<br />
Kinship networks in spread of an agricultural innovation in Kanzara: Agriculture is the main traditional<br />
livelihood in Kanzara. Two key features of agriculture in this region are the predominance of cotton and the<br />
practice of intercropping . Cotton is being grown in this region since centuries. From 2005-06 Soybean crop has<br />
been taken up by the villagers and is gradually replace cotton during the kharif season. Cotton and cotton<br />
mixtures are intercropped with sorghum and pulses such as mung and pigeonpea during the Kharif season.<br />
Cropping pattern analysis (see line diagram below) reveals that pigeonpea is grown as in intercrop since many<br />
decades. 1-2 rows between 16-18 rows of cotton and sorghum earlier; now with soybean. Pigeonpea is used for<br />
own consumption and local pigeonpea was mostly grown using the seeds saved by the farmers. Following the<br />
attack of wilt (a disease) for consequent years the progressive farmers requested <strong>ICRISAT</strong> for a wilt resistant<br />
variety of pigeonpea during the late eighties<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> introduced a wilt resistant variety of pigeonpea (ICP 8863) through the LEGOFTEN program in 1987.<br />
5 kgs of seed was distributed among 5 farmers of the village during 1987-1992. Within a span of 5 years this<br />
variety spread throughout the district even in the absence of the state government getting engaged in the<br />
multiplication of the seed. The variety and the seed spread was through friends, relatives and acquaintances<br />
alone. The variety still dominates the pigeonpea production even till 2009 as is evident from the data.<br />
Using focus group meetings and key informant interviews with two farmers who got this seed from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, I<br />
tracked the spread of this technology within the village and outside. Along with Mr VK Chopde, Senior<br />
Scientific Officer at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, we documented the spread and the tracking of the technology through these<br />
meetings. The flow charts depicting tracking the seed technology the of the two farmers gives a complete<br />
picture of the spread of the technology. The two examples show how even in the absence of an apathetic and<br />
inefficient beauracracy technology adoption and diffusion can take place through networks of friends, relatives<br />
and kin. The steps ongoing are now to develop network maps of people who are growing this variety of<br />
pigeonpea and to compare with those not growing pigeonpea if the case may be. Additionally, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
introduced another hybrid variety of pigeonpea in this village in 2008. Mapping to whom this technology was<br />
introduced, where do they appear in the network map of the maruti growers and see the spread of this<br />
technology. This will lead to testing the hypothesis whether introducing an intervention to the members in the<br />
core will lead to faster adoption of the technology or the individual in the periphery will slow down the<br />
diffusion speed.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
: Profs D Parthasarathy, Sarmistah Pattanaik and KN Narayanan<br />
: R Padmaja and MCS Bantilan<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Nil<br />
MTP Output target 2012 1.10.1 Gathering longitudinal data on households, individuals and fields in 42<br />
selected villages in years 1-5 of the project<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Data collection and validation of 2009 data completed<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India and Bangladesh<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The main objective is to enhance the availability of reliable household-, individual-, and field-specific, highfrequency,<br />
time-series data in purposely selected 42 villages in the semi-arid and humid tropics of South Asia.<br />
51
Understanding village-level information and ground realities can act as an important catalyst in accelerating<br />
agricultural and rural development. This project is aimed at creating a premier source of high quality<br />
longitudinal household data in selected regions of South Asia. This will give a voice to the poor and inform<br />
programs and policies that help smallholder farmers lift themselves out of hunger and poverty, alongside<br />
helping shape future agricultural development strategies.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
The household surveys were conducted in 42 selected villages (30 in India and 12 in Bangladesh) using pretested<br />
and well designed interview schedules, namely, General Endowment Schedule (GES), Cultivation<br />
Schedule (Y), Transaction Schedule (L), Employment Schedule (K), Livestock Schedule (Z) and Monthly Price<br />
Schedule (M). GPS coordinates were collected for all households in all the villages to enable geo-referencing of<br />
the data during data analysis. Three frequency modes were employed in data collection, namely, high-frequency<br />
(monthly), seasonal (half-yearly) and annual. The data collection was done by field investigators who resided in<br />
the respective villages. Data checking was done by supervisors at the village level as well as at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Data<br />
entry and validation were done through the double-entry method. In addition, social and resource maps were<br />
drawn by the villagers in 6 VLS villages. Special purpose surveys on Climate Change were undertaken in all<br />
traditional 6 VLS villages in India and 4 villages in Bangladesh. Experimental village grants are being<br />
implemented in the 6 traditional VLS villages.<br />
To ensure high quality in data collection, entry, management and analysis, several trainings, workshops and<br />
orientation programs were organized.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
• Formal project launch meetings and follow-up planning meetings successfully organized for SAT India,<br />
East India and Bangladesh components.<br />
• Survey instruments and methods for collecting quality data were harmonized. Appropriate periodicity for<br />
different survey modules was finalized.<br />
• Data collection through monthly, seasonal and annual frequencies is on schedule in SAT India, East India<br />
and Bangladesh.<br />
• Complementary qualitative data were collected using PRA tools and focus group interviews.<br />
• Customized data entry templates and applications (CS Pro) adapted for all 3 regions and required training<br />
programs on CSPro organized.<br />
• Training of staff for standardized econometric software package (STATA application) completed in May<br />
<strong>2010</strong> for SAT India.<br />
• Guidelines for mid-course monitoring and corrections to improve data quality both during data collection<br />
and data entry/validation established for use in all three regions.<br />
• Half yearly review meetings were conducted in all the three regions to ensure timely collection and<br />
processing of data.<br />
• Project Annual Review Meeting was held on 22 November <strong>2010</strong> at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
• Special Session on VDSA was organized during the 18 th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics<br />
Research Association held at NAARM, Hyderabad on 20 November <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NCAP, IRRI, SocioConsult, CPD<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> -Integrating gender issues in the VDSA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
20%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
To integrate gender issues in VDSA project<br />
52
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
The basic survey questionnaires are enhanced with specific questions focusing on gender aspects. These include:<br />
• Roles and responsibilities - Labor and time allocation<br />
• Decision making roles and responsibilities<br />
• Employment<br />
• Access to and control over resources for crop production<br />
• Access to and control over benefits from crop produce; utilization of crop products and by-products<br />
• Coping mechanisms during shocks<br />
• Access and benefit from government/development programs<br />
Data for 2009 on different gender issues (as per point # 1) are being validated, analyzed and publications are<br />
under the production process. Anthropometric tools/equipment – digital weigh balance (for adults); height rod<br />
(adults); infantometer (for weight and height recording for 0-18 months age group); tape for measuring arm<br />
circumference have been delivered from SEACA, Germany. Distribution of one full set per village is<br />
completed. Training on taking accurate measurements using anthropometric equipments were given to all the<br />
field investigators by resource persons from National Institute of Nutrition (NIN).<br />
A special module on nutrition, health, sanitation and gender is being planned for commencement under the<br />
project. This may include collaborations with NIN and University of Pennsylvania among others.<br />
Field investigators are also trained on collecting information specific to gender issues, and qualitative tools. In<br />
addition to the above, women farmers were also included in the farmers trips/excursions to different agricultural<br />
research stations in the region as well as some historical, social and cultural places of interest.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
IRRI, NCAP, CPD, Socioconsult<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
Intermediate output target <strong>2010</strong> – Special session on VDSA at the 18th Annual Conference of the<br />
Agricultural Economics Research Association (AERA)<br />
Achievement of Output Target<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
“Creating strong public-private partnerships and involving a larger number of stakeholders creates a selfsustaining<br />
value chain with critical inputs reaching farmers in a timely manner and quality commodities<br />
reaching end users,” said Director General William Dar at the 18th Annual Conference of the Agricultural<br />
Economics Research Association (AERA).<br />
As Guest of Honor and Keynote Speaker, Dr Dar appropriately set the tone of the conference by elaborating on<br />
the theme and citing examples of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s successes in value chain enhancement, namely the Agri-Business<br />
Incubator, a pioneer in agri-business incubation in India; <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s promotion of sweet sorghum with its<br />
multi-product potential as a viable crop for bio-ethanol production; and the project where small-scale sorghum<br />
and pearl millet farmers were successfully and profitably organized into Farmers’ Associations who were then<br />
linked to industrial end users.<br />
The GT-IMPI team (Drs Cynthia Bantilan, P Parthasarathy Rao, V Kiresur, Uttam Kumar Deb, Naveen Singh<br />
and other Scientific Officers and Visiting Scientists) organized a special session entitled, “Exploring<br />
Development Pathways through Village Dynamic Studies”, where participants were exposed to the VDS and<br />
deliberated on options for analyzing these data towards addressing key issues for creating policy<br />
recommendations in the agriculture sector.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NCAP<br />
53
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
Intermediate output target <strong>2010</strong> – Consultations and discussions with project advisory members<br />
Extensive discussions and consultations with Dr Hans Binswanger were undertaken during April <strong>2010</strong> on the<br />
implementation of the VDSA project, learning’s so far , mid-course corrections if any, constraints faced and<br />
evolving solutions, and future plans under the project.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Village Dynamics Studies (VLS) in West Africa<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
75%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger and Burkina Faso<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
In twelve villages of Burkina Faso & Niger, data are being collected using about 26 modules. Used costaccounting<br />
method to collect data at village, household and plot data using 25 modules: Household sociodemographic<br />
profile, Land stocks, Plot characteristics, Weights and units of measurements<br />
Transactions on agricultural products (Sale of agricultural products and gifts received, Purchase of agricultural<br />
products and gifts given, Sale of animals and gifts given, Purchase of animals and gifts received), Labor use<br />
(Family labor, Hired labor, Family labor sale on agricultural activities), Price of agricultural products in the<br />
market, Purchase of inputs, household investment and expenditures (Expenditures on durable assets,<br />
Expenditures on consumable goods), Off-farm revenues, Food consumption, Crop stocks flows, Livestock<br />
flows, Migration, Remittances, Use of oil and water conservation measures, Risks and calamities, Climate<br />
change, Agricultural equipment, Credit (Borrowing, Lending), Split households since the 1980, Food security<br />
and poverty proxy, Household affiliation to institutions, Household durable assets<br />
Main findings/Results:<br />
Data collection for year 1 is ongoing.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
IFPRI, INRAN and INERA<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
West Africa: Assessing the dynamics of poverty and land degradation in the Sahelian countries of West Africa<br />
from IDRC.<br />
MTP Output target 2012 1.10.2 Assembly of secondary agricultural meso-level data into an integrated<br />
database updated, expanded in coverage, extended in geographic area and decentralized in level of aggregation<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong><br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
25%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> is maintaining district level database for India that includes data on area and production under major<br />
crops, land use, crop wise irrigated area, source wise irrigation, farm harvest prices, fertilizer consumption,<br />
rainfall, infrastructure variables like road length, and markets, land holding size and census data relating to<br />
human and livestock population. The database spans 512 districts in India covering 16 states (now 19 states,<br />
with the formation of 3 new states).<br />
54
A number of research papers have been produced using this database. For example, documenting cropping<br />
pattern changes, supply response functions, typology of agriculture, factors influencing livestock density and<br />
productivity and more recently on factors influencing Diversification of Agriculture in India. The main<br />
objective is to provide one stop shop for meso level database.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Recently formed districts and other relevant geo-political boundaries have been identified in all three project<br />
regions (Sat India, Eastern India, and Bangladesh) and methodologies of dealing with them have been developed<br />
that will ensure the consistency of the data across all regions. The methodology that is being followed for all<br />
three regions is to collect the data according to the new district/province boundaries. Data from earlier years is<br />
apportioned according to the land area of the original (1966) boundaries for India and boundaries for<br />
Bangladesh. Data will be reported according to the new boundaries.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
For SAT India the existing district level database has been updated till 2007 for the 8 states in the region. The<br />
variables available in the database are crop area and production, land use, irrigation, agro-climatic variables,<br />
livestock, farm harvest prices, fertilizer consumption, roads, credit, monthly rainfall data, wages and markets.<br />
Additional variables have been identified that are relevant to the over-arching VDSA project objectives such as<br />
GDP per capita, literacy rates, poverty ratios, sectoral shifts, infrastructure indices, and welfare programs are<br />
being collected at the district level from 2000. A similar undertaking is also underway in north India for the<br />
northern and eastern states of India, however, owing to delays in the project implementation, the data collection<br />
and updating in this region is currently ongoing.<br />
In <strong>2010</strong>, meso-data collection for Bangladesh was collected at two levels: region level and district level. At the<br />
region level, area, production and yield data for six major crops (Aus Rice, Aman Rice, Boro Rice, Wheat, Jute<br />
and Potato) for all 22 regions of Bangladesh for the period 1981/82-2009/10 were collected, processed,<br />
validated and submitted to the BMGF. At the district level, area, production and yield data for five major crops<br />
(Aus Rice, Aman Rice, Boro Rice, Wheat and Potato) for all 64 districts of Bangladesh for the period 2003/04-<br />
2009/10 were collected, processed, validated and submitted to the BMGF.<br />
We are in the process of building comprehensive time series data set that would include more detailed climatic<br />
and infrastructure variables initially for the districts in the states on Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and<br />
Karnataka. Besides rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity, wind velocity and soft<br />
infrastructure variables like education institutions, health centers, livestock institutions etc. from 1970-71 to<br />
2007-08 (or for the available years) have been collected for Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br />
Additionally the data set includes daily temperature and humidity data for Andhra Pradesh (20 districts) and<br />
selected districts of Maharashtra. In order to collect the time series data from rare government publications in<br />
Andhra Pradesh for the above variables, these documents were photographed and then entered into the database<br />
at the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> headquarters. The data set for Andhra Pradesh will be ready for analysis by end Decemeber<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Such a comprehensive data base would enable in-depth analysis of the impact of climate change on crops<br />
and analysis of supply response, and role of infrastructure in agriculture development.<br />
Digitized GIS maps for SAT and Eastern India are available and have been used to carry out spatial analysis for<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops and presented in various workshops/conferences. .<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, IRRI, NCAP, CPD<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
MTP Output target 2012 1.10.3. Capacity building for NARS scientists and regional scientists in the design<br />
and execution of household panel surveys, data processing technologies and time-series panel data analysis<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved<br />
India<br />
55
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Building analytical capacity of staff through training in STATA and<br />
meso-data analysis<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
Strengthening of in-house institutional analytical capacity to conduct analysis on the micro- and meso-data<br />
Methodology/Approach: Training with internal and external subject experts and combining both theoretical and<br />
practical approaches. With special emphasis on hands on experience.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
GT-IMPI organized a training course on Econometric Methods and Applications using STATA (Data Analysis<br />
and Statistical Software) from 25 to 31 May at Patancheru. The training course emphasized the need for timely,<br />
accurate and robust analysis of the data collected under the Village Dynamics Studies, combining both<br />
quantitative and qualitative variables, at the micro- and meso levels. This training course was primarily aimed at<br />
social scientists and support staff. It is envisioned that their skills in econometric analysis using STATA will be<br />
enriched under the able guidance of experts in the field. The coordinator for this training course was S<br />
Madheswaran from the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore. He was ably supported by Subir<br />
Sen from the Energy and Resource Institute, New Delhi and Badri Narayana Rath from IIT- Hyderabad.<br />
Workshops on data collection for meso-data were undertaken at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in order to train NARS partners on<br />
the appropriate methodologies for data collection, validation and analysis. Seminars and lectures on the<br />
relevance of meso-data in socio-economic research, particularly in the writing of village profiles, were<br />
conducted for a wide cross section of people ranging from NARS partner scientists to field investigators.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates foundation<br />
Intermediate output target <strong>2010</strong> - VDSA M&E through annual and mid-term project training cum review<br />
meetings<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The program aimed at reviewing the progress made by the resident field investigators during the last year and at<br />
receiving feedback on the survey work and their stay in the villages.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
A 4-day Mid-Term Review Workshop-cum-Training program from 24 to 27 August, <strong>2010</strong> was organized by<br />
the VDSA team of the Global Theme on Institutions, Markets, Policy and Impacts (GT-IMPI). As many as 19<br />
field investigators, one each from the 18 target villages spread across five states of SAT India, namely, Andhra<br />
Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and a lady field investigator from Patancheru<br />
actively participated in the workshop. Project Leader and GTL MCS Bantilan highlighted the importance of<br />
quality data collection as well as analysis including publishing as critical outputs of the project. She also<br />
reiterated and impressed upon the resident field investigators to publish the field observations and analysis as a<br />
pathway for their career progression. VR Kiresur, P Parthasarathy Rao and UK Deb gave a brief account of the<br />
progress achieved in the project during its first year. The capacity building component of the workshop<br />
included sessions on qualitative data collection methods (by R Padmaja), computer assisted personal interview<br />
instruments (by GV Anupama), soil sampling method for soil analysis (by IYLN Murthy from DOR,<br />
Hyderabad), method of usage of rain gauges (by NN Srivastava from CRIDA, Hyderabad), use of<br />
anthropometric equipment (by K Mallikarjuna Rao and Sree Rama Krishna from NIN, Hyderabad). The third<br />
day was totally devoted to a village immersion at Aurepalle village, Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh.<br />
Field investigators, supervisors and data entry operators were divided into four groups for a mock household<br />
survey organized to appreciate the effort of quality data collection at field level. The workshop ended on the<br />
fourth day with the finalization of work plans for each of the villages under all the three objectives envisaged in<br />
the project.<br />
56
A similar training-cum-Project Review Workshop of the Bangladesh Component of the Village Dynamics in<br />
South Asia (VDSA) Project was successfully organized during 7-9 May <strong>2010</strong>, at the Socioconsult, Dhaka,<br />
Bangladesh. The workshop started with a visit to Nishaiganj village of Mymensingh district, which is one of the<br />
twelve villages selected for implementing the VDSA project in Bangladesh. A major shift from rice cultivation<br />
to fish farming in Nishaiganj was one example of the rapidity of village dynamics, which are being tracked in<br />
the project.<br />
MCS Bantilan gave an overview of the project to the Bangladesh VDSA team. The project was reviewed<br />
following the presentation of the achievements of the Bangladesh component in the first year by Alamgir<br />
Chowdhury (Socioconsult) and UK Deb (Center for Policy Dialogue). VR Kiresur and P Parthasarathy Rao<br />
imparted training to the Bangladesh team including field investigators, programmers and data entry operators on<br />
the quantitative methodologies for village/household surveys and meso/macro data collection. R Padmaja and<br />
Rupsha Banerjee guided the participants on the use of qualitative tools for data collection. Naveen Singh and H<br />
Padmini also participated and contributed to the successful organization of the workshop.<br />
A one day annual review meeting of the project was also organized back to back to the AERA Conference on<br />
November 22, <strong>2010</strong>. All project partners from SAT India, East India and Bangladesh actively participated in<br />
this meeting. The morning session focused on knowledge gaps and research needs under the Village dynamics<br />
studies for the three regions namely SAT India, eastern India and Bangladesh. Extensive discussions by the<br />
participants in identifying knowledge gaps and research needs were undertaken keeping in mind the focus of the<br />
project as well as the ultimate outcomes desired. The session also had presentations on women’s contribution to<br />
rural economic activities in India and Bangladesh. Discussions on gaps and research needs in this area was very<br />
interactive and explanatory. The session ended with a good discussion on all the issues presented and discussed<br />
in the forenoon.<br />
The afternoon session dealt with discussion on researchable issues, small grants, co-funding plans and<br />
development and finalization of work-plans by regions namely SAT India region, East India region and<br />
Bangladesh. Dr MCS Bantilan opened the session with introduction on the project management issues like<br />
grants, co funding and work plan for the coming year, highlighting 3 key points – a. not to lose focus of the<br />
project; harnessing the data collected by making comparative and stimulating analysis across 42 villages; spatial<br />
analysis with the geo-referenced data. She also requested the participants to focus on research prioritization for<br />
the forth coming competitive grant projects. She also emphasized on innovative analytical prowess looking into<br />
panel data under VDSA project.<br />
Various researchable issues were highlighted by Drs PK Joshi, MCS Bantilan, NS Jodha, Anjani Kumar, VR<br />
Kiresur, P Parthasarathy Rao and Uttam Kumar Deb. 10 broad researchable areas were summarized:<br />
1. Typology of poor under different rainfall regimes<br />
2. Land markets and new dimensions of land market emerging<br />
3. Labor markets after initiation of the schemes – eg NREGA in India, so also similar programs in<br />
implementation in Bangladesh<br />
4. Technology profiling in SAT and humid regions – compare and contrast<br />
5. Water markets<br />
6. Service sector<br />
7. Delivery mechanism – especially inputs and governance of the schemes<br />
8. Income diversification for livelihood options<br />
9. Documenting innovative institutions and how they are helping the poor to get out of poverty<br />
10. Agriculture vis-à-vis health and education<br />
Dr Bantilan supplemented the above discussion with a reiteration that there is a need to understand, document<br />
and analyze the emerging micro-level issues identified through micro level data and upscale the findings and<br />
policy implication through meso-level data analysis. There has to be convergence of the meso- and micro-level<br />
data such that the ground level insights on the emerging issues will be able to provide compelling research<br />
response and ultimately achieve impact. Cross-cutting gender-related issues to be identified eg. Analysis of<br />
tenancy and land fragmentation in East India with a gender perspective.<br />
The achievements for the three objectives in SAT India region, EAST Indian region and Bangladesh were<br />
presented by the respective objective leaders and coordinators. Workplans for the following year were discussed<br />
in detail. The proposed workplan for 2011 includes Complete digitization of PRA maps; Organizing CSPro<br />
training; Finalize CSPro data-entry templates development; Computer entry of 2009-<strong>2010</strong> HH data; HH Data<br />
collection for <strong>2010</strong>-2011; Computer entry of <strong>2010</strong>-2011 HH data; Finalize template for meso-data; Collection<br />
57
and entry of meso-data; Analyze micro and meso level data; Publish profiles of 12 villages; review papers on<br />
poverty and food security in SAT India, East India and Bangladesh. The publications and dissemination strategy<br />
was also discussed and highlighted.<br />
Dave Hoisington, DDG, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in his concluding comments, after actively participating in the days<br />
proceedings, impressed upon the ethical issues to be carefully considered in data collection as well as<br />
dissemination of the data to the wider audience through the website.<br />
Dr Bantilan also proposed that Dave Hoisington be part of the Advisory Panel for the project. She reminded the<br />
group to keep the basic guiding principles of the project discussed in the morning session:<br />
• Raising the voices of the poor<br />
• Quality data and analysis<br />
• IPG<br />
• Highest priority for capacity building of South Asian researchers<br />
• Methodology building and developments both quantitative and qualitative components of the project<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, IRRI, NCAP, CPD<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
MTP Output target 2012 1.11.1 Database and documentation of VLS baseline data for SAT India, East India<br />
and Bangladesh; VLS information portal developed<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>- Database management and documentation of VLS data for SAT India<br />
initiated<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
40%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
A data mining expert Prof. TV Prabhakar from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur was hired as a<br />
resource person for an exploratory workshop entitled ‘Developing concept maps, models and relational<br />
databases for GT-IMPI Databases’ held on Saturday 21 August. As per his advice, preparations were started for<br />
setting up a data warehouse with OLAP features. A concept map and mind map depicting the different entities<br />
in the VLS and district level databases and their inter-relations were developed. These maps provide the viewers<br />
an overall view of the databases including the survey locations, the key features, detailed survey modules,<br />
methodology, censuses and special purpose surveys.<br />
We are exploring the external warehouse service providers, particularly IBM, Oracle and Microsoft. Good<br />
progress was made with IBM-Envision. They visited <strong>ICRISAT</strong> to find out the requirements, studied the data,<br />
worked with a sample to produce snapshot reports. They also presented a seminar showcasing their capabilities<br />
using the sample reports. Oracle also visited <strong>ICRISAT</strong> to study the existing system and requirements. We are<br />
also working with Sonata on a possible solution from them. The different vendors are expected to suggest the<br />
necessary hardware requirements, the suitable software, provide necessary technical support and required<br />
training for the sustainability of the project. The Data management unit at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> is playing a key role in this<br />
aspect. This external agency will also be helping us in developing a high standard VLS portal.<br />
Alongside database development, the information portal or the website for hosting VDSA is being developed.<br />
All the static pages of the project are ready and being edited. The pages for database posting are being<br />
developed. This also includes data documentations.<br />
After extensive search, with World Bank advice, three Samsung UMPC q1-ultra model CAPI instruments were<br />
purchased for data collection. These instruments will be piloted one each in three districts, namely<br />
Mahbubnagar, Sholapur and Akola. Each of them costed around 1.5K US$. We have also purchased Reliance<br />
internet data cards for these instruments for easy transmission of the data from villages to Patancheru. We are<br />
planning on the job training for the investigators in April on the usage of these instruments. Both hard copy<br />
58
questionnaires and CAPI will be implemented in these villages for a minimum of 6 months to test the efficiency of the new instrument. Based on the<br />
performance this system will be extended to other villages in the coming years.<br />
The development of summary files at plot, household and individual level is in progress. Plot summary files for<br />
the 6 old VLS villages from 1975-2008 were completed. For the same time period, per capita and per household<br />
incomes from various sources like migration, caste occupations, farm labor, non-farm labor, agriculture,<br />
livestock, remittances, rents and interests were also computed and preliminary poverty estimations were done.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
IRRI, NCAP, CPD<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong>: Development of databases for household and meso-level datasets,<br />
documentation of databases and development of VLS website.<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
30%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
The main objective of this activity is to sharply increase the availability of household panel dataset and mesodata<br />
sets, across regions and years, for decision making on development issues to reduce impoverishment in<br />
poverty-laden regions in the semi-arid and humid tropics of South Asia. Hence, database development and<br />
management assumes prime importance. Access to these data sets through web would enhance the ability of the<br />
development researchers and policy analysts in evidence-based policy recommendations.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
CSPro data entry software is adopted for entry and validation of household panel data in all the three regions.<br />
This software is freely downloadable and widely used for surveys and censuses. CSPro was customized to suit<br />
the requirements of the three regions. Double entry method of data feeding was followed to check data entry<br />
errors. Data documentation manual was prepared for supply to data users. Development of data warehousing<br />
system would ensure efficient data management and user friendly data extraction.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
• Customized data entry software has been developed in CS-Pro.<br />
• Computation of the estimates of synthesized key summary variables based on the longitudinal datasets, at<br />
plot level, individual level and household level is in progress. These variables include crop output, crop<br />
income and expenditure, net returns, household income from different sources, assets value, food and<br />
nonfood consumptions etc. These summary files will be also part of the website under open access.<br />
• Training of staff for standardized econometric software package- STATA – application completed in May<br />
<strong>2010</strong> for SAT India.<br />
• To handle the datasets collected earlier in previous VLS rounds, documentation for the VLS database for<br />
the year 2001-04 is completed. This documentation along with the standardized survey instruments will be<br />
uploaded on the website.<br />
• Documentation of the existing meso-database has been completed from 1966 to 1999 for uploading the data<br />
on the webpage.<br />
• Database management protocols are being designed with the assistance of Knowledge Management and<br />
Sharing Unit (KMS) at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
• VDSA Project Website is developed, which is yet to be hosted.<br />
• Development of data warehousing systems is in progress.<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NCAP, IRRI, SocioConsult<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
59
Intermediate Output Target <strong>2010</strong>: District level data base development of VDSA locations<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
25%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh<br />
Objectives/Rationale:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> is maintaining district level database for India that includes data on area and production under major<br />
crops, land use, crop wise irrigated area, source wise irrigation, farm harvest prices, fertilizer consumption,<br />
rainfall, infrastructure variables like road length, and markets, land holding size and census data relating to<br />
human and livestock population. The database spans 512 districts in India covering 16 states (now 19 states,<br />
with the formation of 3 new states).<br />
A number of research papers have been produced using this database. For example, documenting cropping<br />
pattern changes, supply response functions, typology of agriculture, factors influencing livestock density and<br />
productivity and more recently on factors influencing Diversification of Agriculture in India. The main<br />
objective is to provide one stop shop for meso level database.<br />
Methodology/Approach:<br />
Recently formed districts and other relevant geo-political boundaries have been identified in all three project<br />
regions (Sat India, Eastern India, and Bangladesh) and methodologies of dealing with them have been developed<br />
that will ensure the consistency of the data across all regions. The methodology that is being followed for all<br />
three regions is to collect the data according to the new district/province boundaries. Data from earlier years is<br />
apportioned according to the land area of the original (1966) boundaries for India and boundaries for<br />
Bangladesh. Data will be reported according to the new boundaries.<br />
Main findings/Results & Policy Implications:<br />
For SAT India the existing district level database has been updated till 2007 for the 8 states in the region. The<br />
variables available in the database are crop area and production, land use, irrigation, agro-climatic variables,<br />
livestock, farm harvest prices, fertilizer consumption, roads, credit, monthly rainfall data, wages and markets.<br />
Additional variables have been identified that are relevant to the over-arching VDSA project objectives such as<br />
GDP per capita, literacy rates, poverty ratios, sectoral shifts, infrastructure indices, and welfare programs are<br />
being collected at the district level from 2000.<br />
A similar undertaking is also underway in north India and Bangladesh. However, owing to delays in the project<br />
implementation, the data collection and updating in those regions is currently ongoing.<br />
We are in the process of building comprehensive time series data set that would include more detailed climatic<br />
and infrastructure variables initially for the districts in the states on Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and<br />
Karnataka. Besides rainfall, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity, wind velocity and soft<br />
infrastructure variables like education institutions, health centers, livestock institutions etc. from 1970-71 to<br />
2007-08 (or for the available years) have been collected for Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Karnataka.<br />
Additionally the data set includes daily temperature and humidity data for Andhra Pradesh (20 districts) and<br />
selected districts of Maharashtra. In order to collect the time series data from rare government publications in<br />
Andhra Pradesh for the above variables, these documents were photographed and then entered into the database<br />
at the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> headquarters. The data set for Andhra Pradesh will be ready for analysis by end Decemeber<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Such a comprehensive data base would enable in-depth analysis of the impact of climate change on crops<br />
and analysis of supply response, and role of infrastructure in agriculture development.<br />
Digitized GIS maps for SAT and Eastern India are available and have been used to carry out spatial analysis for<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandate crops and presented in various workshops/conferences. .<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, IRRI, NCAP, CPD<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation<br />
60
Intermediate output target in <strong>2010</strong> District level meso database management<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
25%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Bangladesh<br />
Progress of work:<br />
Documentation of the existing database has been completed from 1966 to 1999 for uploading the data on the<br />
webpage. The data collection and validation will be stepped up in <strong>2010</strong> to meet the first output of the objective<br />
slated for first quarter on 2011.<br />
61
MTP Project 2:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Sustaining biodiversity of Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Small Millets,<br />
Groundnut, Pigeonpea and Chickpea for current and future<br />
generations<br />
HD Upadhyaya<br />
Highlights for <strong>2010</strong><br />
In our quest to identify genetic resources for useful traits in our mandate crops, two vegetable<br />
pigeonpea accessions, ICP 12772 and ICP 12059, have been identified as asymptomatic (0% incidence)<br />
for both Fusarium wilt and Sterility mosaic disease (SMD) compared to the control , where the<br />
incidence was more than 90%.<br />
A large number of accessions were evaluated to identify sources for trait enhancement for yield and<br />
quality traits in chickpea, groundnut, pearl millet and sorghum.<br />
In chickpea several early maturing lines with high yield potential were identified for normal (winter)<br />
sown irrigated and rainfed situations and late sown (spring) irrigated conditions when temperatures are<br />
high and heat stress is a problem. ICC 5597, 5829, 12426 and 14368 among the desi types performed<br />
better than control ICCV 92944 in all environments. A few kabuli types such as ICC 14197, 14284 and<br />
18591 had acceptable yield level under heat stress conditions but were at par with control in the winter<br />
season. Among the large-seeded newly introduced kabuli types, ICC 19763 was early (107 d), extralarge<br />
seeded (73.1 g) and high yielding (2 t ha -1 ), compared to the best control, KAK 2, under irrigated<br />
while ICC 19449 (55.4 g) was at par with control under rainfed conditions. Evaluation of 35 early<br />
maturing desi and kabuli lines for heat tolerance/resistance, we identified ICC 14346 as the most stable<br />
line for both cool and hot seasons. Another nine desi types and three kabuli were identified as<br />
promising for heat tolerance. A new salinity tolerant line, ICC 11121(2.43 t ha -1 compared to control,<br />
2.38 t ha -1 ) was identified for irrigated environment, while ICC 4593 and 9942 were at par with the<br />
control, CSG 8962 (1.68 t ha-1), under rainfed situation.<br />
In groundnut, promising confectionary, salinity, drought, BND and defoliation tolerant lines were<br />
identified. Among confectionary types ICG 5662, 9127, 12199 (60-82 g 100 seeds -1 ) were at par or<br />
better than control, Somnath (71 g) for yield during post-rainy season and ICG 5690, 8268, 9127 and<br />
12199 (45-51 g) were better than Somnath (45 g) during rainy season. For salinity tolerance, ICG<br />
11426, during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy and ICG 6022 during 2009-10 post-rainy seasons performed better than<br />
control. Among drought tolerant lines, ICG 14426, 02286, 94169 and 92206 during rainy season and<br />
ICG 02286, 94169, 01328 and 86011 during post-rainy season were superior to the controls. Two lines,<br />
ICG 13099, 14710 (1.54-1.58 t ha -1 ) identified for their transpiration efficiency produced higher yield<br />
than controls (1.37-1.48 t ha -1 ). In yield potential evaluation, 12 (1.37 – 1.88 t ha -1 ) accessions<br />
produced significantly higher yield than the control cultivars (0.69-1.36 t ha -1 ).<br />
In pearl millet, 360 fodder type accessions exhibited great diversity for fodder traits such as, plant<br />
height (143-441 cm), tiller number (1-18), leaf number (9-20), leaf length (60-78 cm), leaf width (24-<br />
44 mm) and late flowering (up to 128 days). The promising accessions were 14 for stem thickness, 9<br />
for leaf width, 4 for high leaf number, 61 for plant height and 46 for high tiller number. Evaluation of<br />
the mini core (238 accessions) for agronomic traits led to the identification of promising lines for early<br />
flowering (7), plant height (40), panicle number per plant (4), panicle length (42) and panicle thickness<br />
(31). There was a large and differential response among the accessions for heat tolerance. While some<br />
accessions performed well in rainy season, some were best in the hot summer season and a few were<br />
very stable and good in both seasons. Heat stress accelerated the life cycle in some and slowed down in<br />
others in both seasons and had no effect on some others. A group of accessions were selected for a<br />
detailed study of heat tolerance in the pearl millet during 2011.<br />
In sorghum, 242 mini core accessions, 103 new germplasm lines and 574 <strong>ICRISAT</strong> genebank lines<br />
were phenotyped during <strong>2010</strong>. A large diversity was observed among the lines and the data analysis is<br />
in progress. Accessions (12) belonging to wild species such as S. aethiopicvum (20), S. verticilliflorum<br />
(4), S. virgatum (40) and S. arundinaceum (2) were characterized.<br />
In evaluation of chickpea accessions for disease resistance, 21 lines to Ascochyta blight, 93 for<br />
botrytis grey mold, 2 for dry root rot, and 2 for collar rot were found to be moderately resistant while<br />
62
30 lines were asymptomatic for Fusarium wilt. Considerable variation for resistance to Helicoverpa<br />
was observed among the germplasm lines and selection based on detached leaf assay and field<br />
infestation could be used as for selecting tolerant lines. Under natural infestation in field ICC 3737 was<br />
promising, other lines showing lower susceptibility to damage by H. armigera and a yield potential of<br />
>1000 kg ha -1 under unprotected conditions were identified for distribution to NARS partners for use in<br />
breeding program.<br />
We regenerated a total of 11,816 accessions in field and 262 accessions in special/controlled<br />
environment facilities at Patancheru and 696 accessions in Niger during <strong>2010</strong>. We tested the seed<br />
viability of 8952 accessions at Patancheru and 5540 at Sadore, Niger during the reported period. A total<br />
of 1029 germplasm accessions were monitored for seed health and 490 accessions were completely<br />
free from pathogens. We processed 6,755 accessions for the active collection and 1,443 accessions for<br />
the base collection, resulting in conservation of 90.7% accessions in base collection. Additionally,<br />
22,000 accessions were deposited in Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway as safety backup during the<br />
reporting period. A total of 11,791 accessions were conserved in duplicate freezer at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niamey<br />
at -20 0 C.<br />
Gaps in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> database were also updated resulting in availability of 97% characterization and<br />
evaluation data in our databases. Gaps in pearl millet passport databases were identified and published<br />
in a journal article in Plant Genetic Resources – Characterization and evaluation. To promote the<br />
utilization of pearl millet Germplasm in West and Central Africa, we evaluated 81 accessions at<br />
Sadore, Niger. Several accessions were identified for traits such as: presence of long awns, compact<br />
panicle with higher grain density, early maturing, striga tolerant and wide adaptation. PQL facilitated<br />
the export of 19,263 seed samples of staple crops to 46 countries during <strong>2010</strong>. A total of 26 import<br />
permit requests were processed, 1,123 samples were imported during <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> has the global responsibility of collection and conservation of small millets in addition to the<br />
mandate crops. During <strong>2010</strong> we assembled 70 unique small millets accessions and identified 2,314<br />
unique accessions for safety backup at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Finger millet and foxtail millet core accessions were<br />
evaluated in multilocational trials at five locations. Based on these evaluations, we identified 10<br />
accessions for early flowering (
esistant to neck and finger blast. Similarly 7 foxtail millet accessions resistant to neck and panicle<br />
blast and 7 to sheath blast, 10 accessions for grain yield potential and wider adaptability, 5 each for<br />
salinity and transpiration efficiency (TE), 4 for protein, 2 for calcium, 2 for Iron and one for zinc<br />
content were identified.<br />
Sorghum reference set was evaluated for drought tolerance traits and TE and we observed a 10-fold<br />
range for seed yield and harvest index (HI), 2-fold for TE and 1.25-fold for water extraction.<br />
Chickpea mini core was evaluated for tolerance to salinity, from 2005 to 2009 and 9 lines consistently<br />
tolerant to salinity were identified. Similarly we identified 14 salinity tolerant lines in groundnut mini<br />
core collection. Chickpea mini core was evaluated under two soil moisture conditions and a wide range<br />
of ∆13C was observed. Chickpea reference set was genotyped with DArT marker and marker<br />
associated with various traits such as root volume, root length, root dry weight, root surface area, root<br />
depth and root length density, and carbon isotope discrimination were identified. Diversity analyzed for<br />
the markers associated with drought related traits in chickpea and marker associated with drought<br />
related traits such as total dry weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, root depth, root length were<br />
identified. Groundnut reference set was genotyped with 154 SSR Markers and a wide range of<br />
variation was observed for polymorphic information content (PIC) and gene diversity. Wild and<br />
cultivated accessions clustered separately and similar pattern was observed in grouping based on<br />
species, sub-species and genomes.<br />
Assessed genetic diversity of sorghum composite collection based on 41 SSR markers and a journal<br />
article prepared and submitted to BMC Plant Biology. Similarly genetic diversity of pearl millet<br />
composite collection analyzed and a reference set capturing 95% alleles of composite collection<br />
selected. Data sets of pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet were prepared and delivered to GCP and<br />
made available via internet.<br />
Assessed genetic diversity of foxtail millet composite collection and selected a reference set of 200<br />
genetically most diverse accessions capturing 87.3% alleles of the composite collection.<br />
Regenerated the seed of sorghum and pigeonpea reference sets and extracted DNA of chickpea, finger<br />
millet and groundnut mini core and reference sets and RILs and made available on request. To broaden<br />
the genetic base of cultivated groundnut, and introduce useful traits, A. chiquitana was crossed with<br />
cultivated groundnut and BC 3 F 4 generation screened for A. flavus. Progenies with resistance to A.<br />
flavus and low aflatoxin production were selected. Tetraploid hybrids between synthetic and cultivated<br />
groundnut generated. Cytological analysis showed maximum recombinations, high pollen fertility and<br />
good seed sets. Advanced generation stable C. platycarpus derivatives were screened for a range of<br />
desirable traits and found lines with low damage due to H. armigera, pod fly and bruchids in<br />
pigeonpea.<br />
Allele specific sequence diversity in chickpea reference set was studied. The candidate gene<br />
sequencing based association genetic approach on reference set of chickpea showed the association of<br />
two genes with drought tolerance traits. Of the 80 SSRs screened on five genotypes, 71 were found<br />
functional. Additionally SSR primer pairs were designed for 688 ESTs of chickpea 657 EST of<br />
heterologous (closely related to chickpea) species. Primer pairs were designed and synthesized for<br />
1152 SSRs in groundnut and a set of 3200 genomic SSRs developed in pigeonpea.<br />
A dense genetic map comprising of 1291 marker loci developed and efforts made to develop a<br />
transcript map of chickpea. A total of 3213 SSRs were screened on 3 groundnut populations to<br />
construct three individual linkage maps in groundnut. To identify most appropriate tool and approach<br />
to identify SNP based on short reads in a species like chickpea, NGS pipeline has been developed and<br />
made available through internet.<br />
A total of 137 Actinomycetes isolated from 25 different herbal vermin composts were characterized for<br />
their antagonistic potential against Fusarium oxysporium. A total of 8 Actinomycetes were identified<br />
by 16S rDNA analysis.<br />
A total of 35 plant growth promoting bacteria and Actinomycetes were freeze dried for long term<br />
conservation. We supplied 1009 units of carrier based different Rhizobium inoculants on request to<br />
NARS partners.<br />
64
Output 2.1: Germplasm of staple crops assembled and conserved and germplasm characterized<br />
and documented for utilization and knowledge shared with partners<br />
Output target 2.1.3: Germplasm sets of staple crops evaluated for useful traits (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Evaluate germplasm sets of staple crops for agronomic characters and special traits for<br />
utilization<br />
Milestone: 2.1.3.1: Vegetable type pigeonpea germplasm evaluated for agronomic performance (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Identification of vegetable pigeonpea germplasm for resistance to wilt and SMD: In our quest to<br />
identify Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) in the vegetable type of pigeonpea<br />
germplasm, a set of 224 lines were sown in FW sick plot during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season at Patancheru. For<br />
SMD evaluation, each and every plant of the test entries were staple inoculated at three leaf stages<br />
with viruliferous europhid mites, reared separately on SMD infected plants. Susceptible controls to FW<br />
(ICP2376) and SMD (ICP 8863) were sown after every 10 test rows. Two lines (ICP 12772 and ICP<br />
12059) were found asymptomatic (0% incidence) to both the diseases while the respective susceptible<br />
control showed >90% incidence to FW and SMD.<br />
Mamta Sharma and Suresh Pande<br />
Milestone: 2.1.3.2: Sets of germplasm in staple crops evaluated to identify sources for yield and other<br />
quality traits ()<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Crop germplasm are necessary and fundamental to crop improvement programs. Continuous progress<br />
in plant breeding depends on discovery of new sources of genetic variation with beneficial traits and<br />
their judicious use in crop improvement programs. Sets of chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea, pearl millet<br />
and sorghum germplasm were evaluated in RCBD designed trials with 2-3 replications using standard<br />
control cultivars to identify sources for yield and quality traits<br />
Chickpea<br />
Early maturity: Most breeding programs aim at developing early-maturing cultivars whose maturity<br />
period matches with the available cropping duration. Appropriate time to flowering is a major<br />
component of crop adaptation, particularly in the environments where the growing season is restricted<br />
by terminal drought and high temperature. Breeding for early maturing, high-yielding and<br />
agronomically broad-based cultivars require diverse sources of early maturity. When 16 germplasm<br />
lines were evaluated along with four controls (ICCV 2, ICCV 92944, ICCV 96029 and Annigeri) under<br />
irrigated, non-irrigated and late sown-irrigated environments, ICC 5597, ICC 5829, ICC 12426, ICC<br />
13839 and ICC 14368 (103-105 days to maturity; 2.45-2.82 t ha -1 seed yield) among desi and ICC<br />
14197 (103 days), high yielding (2.21 t ha -1 ) and large-seeded (45.5g 100 seed -1 ) line among kabulis<br />
were early maturing and produced higher seed yield than the best controls (Annigeri 104 days; 2.42 t<br />
65
ha -1 or ICCV2, 100 days, 1.89 t ha -1 , 25.3g 100 seeds<br />
-1<br />
) under irrigated environment. ICC 5597, ICC<br />
5829, ICC 11916, ICC 12426, ICC 12532, ICC 13839, ICC 14345, ICC 14368, ICC 14347 and ICC<br />
14348 (87-97 days to maturity; 1.35 – 1.57 t ha -1 ) among desi types and ICC 14197 (90 days; 1.46 tha -1 )<br />
among kabuli type were early maturing and produced higher seed yield under un-irrigated environment<br />
in comparison to control cultivar Annigeri (98 days; 1.32t ha -1 ) and ICCV 2 (92 days; 1.21 tha -1 ). ICC<br />
5597, ICC 5829, ICC 11916, ICC 12426, ICC 12532, ICC 13044, ICC 14346, ICC 14368, ICC 14347,<br />
ICC 14348, and ICC 14349 (65-78 days; 0.36 t ha -1 ) were early maturing and produced higher seed<br />
yield than Annigeri (78 days; 0.30 t ha -1 ) under late sown environment. ICC 5597, ICC 5829, ICC<br />
12426, and ICC 14368 matured early and produced higher seed yield than best control cultivar<br />
Annigeri over all the three environments.<br />
In another experiment 17 germplasm lines and three controls (KAK 2, ICCV 92944, and Annigeri)<br />
were evaluated under irrigated, non-irrigated and late sown-irrigated environments, none of the test<br />
entry produced higher seed yield than best control cultivar Annigeri under irrigated environment.<br />
However, ICC 13124, ICC 14284, ICC 14648, ICC 14649 and ICC 19641, (97-98 days; 1.50– 1.69 t<br />
ha -1 ) among desi types and ICC 17452 (98 days; 53.0g 100-seed weight; 1.38 t ha -1 ) among kabuli type<br />
were early maturing and produced significantly higher seed yield under un-irrigated environment in<br />
comparison to control cultivar Annigeri (98 days; 1.41t ha -1 ) and KAK 2 (97 days; 1.37 t ha -1 ). ICC<br />
6121, ICC 7410, ICC 13124, ICC 14293, ICC 14648, ICC 14653, ICC 19641, and ICC 19645 (73-74<br />
days; 0.52 – 0.74 t ha -1 ) among desi type and ICC 17452, ICC 17456, ICC 17459, and ICC 18591 (73-<br />
74 days; 0.25 – 0.36 t ha -1 ) among kabuli types were early maturing and produced higher seed yield<br />
than Annigeri (74 days; 0.51 t ha -1 ) and KAK 2 (74 days; 0.21 t ha -1 ) under late sown environment.<br />
ICC 13124, ICC 14648 and , ICC 19645, among desi types and ICC 17452 among kabuli types<br />
matured early and produced higher seed yield than best control cultivar Annigeri and KAK 2 under unirrigated<br />
and late sown environments.<br />
Large seed size in kabuli type: Seed size is an important trait in kabuli chickpea. Large seeded (100-<br />
seed weight >40g) kabuli chickpeas fetch higher market price as they are preferred by consumers. We<br />
evaluated 18 large seeded kabuli lines from newly assembled chickpea germplasm accessions from<br />
USA along with four control cultivars (ICCV 2, KAK 2, JGK 1 and L 550). ICC 19763 was early<br />
maturing, large-seeded and produced higher seed yield (107 days; 73.1g; 2.01 t ha -1 ) than the control<br />
cultivar KAK 2 (108 days; 40.9 g; 1.69 t ha -1 ) under irrigated environment. ICC 19449 was early<br />
maturing, large-seeded and produced similar seed yield (97 days; 55.4g; 1.03 t ha -1 ) to the control<br />
cultivar KAK 2 (101 days; 38.0 g; 1.09 t ha -1 ) under un-irrigated environment. A journal article on<br />
identification of large-seeded high yielding and stable kabuli chickpeas through evaluation of 65 large<br />
seeded kabuli lines in 18 trials and 13 environments was published (Crop Sci. 51: 198-209)<br />
Heat tolerance in chickpea: Global warming is inevitable under climate change scenario and<br />
identification of appropriate species/ varieties that could adapt to such change is imperative for<br />
sustaining crop productivity and ensuring food security. We evaluated 33 early maturing chickpea<br />
germplasm accessions for their tolerance to heat stress, the major factor in climate change, along with<br />
heat tolerant control cultivar ICCV 92944 in 9 trials comprising three environment (irrigated, rain-fed<br />
and late sown) and three seasons (2007-08, 2008-09 and 2009-10). Data for individual trial and<br />
environment and pooled across environments and seasons was analyzed. Plant traits such as plant<br />
width, flowering duration, days to maturity, pod number, seed weight, grain yield and per day<br />
productivity were affected under heat stress. Genotypes differed in their sensitivity to heat stress and<br />
the yield loss among genotypes varied from 10–20% of potential yield for every degree increase in<br />
temperature beyond the comfort zone (optimum temperature range). Mitigation of heat stress by<br />
application of additional nitrogen fertilizer to the crop resulted in sustaining the potential yield (unto<br />
85%). The accession ICC 14346 (BG 274, India) showed high tolerance to heat stress and could be<br />
used as a parent in crop improvement research. Though none of the accessions were significantly<br />
superior to the heat tolerant control ICCV 92944, a few accessions that showed consistent numerical<br />
superiority for yield and high response to management were identified. ICC 5597, ICC 12426, ICC<br />
14368, ICC 12670, ICC 13044, ICC 19645(all desi types with low SW), ICC 14653 and ICC 6121<br />
(both desi types high SW) and ICC 14197, ICC 18591, and ICC 14284 (kabuli types with high SW)<br />
were found promising for tolerance to heat stress, response to irrigation and additional nitrogen. A<br />
journal article has been submitted to Crop Science.<br />
66
Salinity tolerant chickpea: Salinity is an important constraint in agriculture worldwide, especially in<br />
South Asia (India, Pakistan) and Australia. Improved genotypes that are well adapted to saline<br />
conditions are needed to enhance and sustain production in these areas. We evaluated 13 previously<br />
identified salinity tolerant chickpea germplasm accessions and seven control cultivars under irrigated<br />
and non-irrigated environments for yield and yield attributing traits. A salinity tolerant accessions ICC<br />
11121, produced higher seed yield (2.43 t ha -1 ) compared to the best salinity tolerant control cultivar<br />
CSG 8962 (2.38 t ha -1 ) under irrigated environment. Similarly ICC 4593 and ICC 9942 produced<br />
higher seed yield (1.71-1.72 t ha -1 ) compared to CSG 8962 (1.68 t ha -1 ) under non-irrigated<br />
environment.<br />
Groundnut<br />
Confectionary groundnut: Groundnut is important food crop at the time when we are facing protein<br />
and energy malnutrition and shortage of pulses. Large seeded confectionery groundnuts have a great<br />
demand as snack food in market. Hence more emphasis is given to improve and exploit groundnut as a<br />
food crop to make farming more competitive and remunerative. Twenty-five large seeded accessions<br />
and five control cultivars (Gangapuri, ICGS 44, ICGS 76, M13 and Somnath) were evaluated during<br />
2009-10 post-rainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons at Patancheru. ICG 5662, ICG 9127, and ICG 12199 (60-<br />
82g 100-seed -1 ; 0.80-0.90 t ha -1 ) produced higher or similar pod yield than large seeded control<br />
cultivars Somnath (71g 100-seed -1 ; 0.83 t ha -1 ) during 2009-10 postrainy season. ICG 5690, ICG 8268,<br />
ICG 8345, ICG 9127 and ICG 12199 (1.06 – 1.32 t h -1 ; 45.0 – 51.0g 100-seed -1 ) produced higher pod<br />
yield than Somnath (1.06 t ha -1 ; 45.0g 100-seed -1 ) during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
Salinity tolerance in groundnut: Salinity affects plant growth, development and yield in<br />
approximately 100 M ha of arable land worldwide. Salinity adversely affects plant growth at all stages,<br />
seedling and reproductive stages in particular, drastically reduced the crop yield. The<br />
development/introduction of improved genotypes that are well adapted to saline conditions are needed<br />
to enhance and sustain production in salinity affected areas. We evaluated 11 previously identified<br />
salinity tolerant germplasm lines for pod yield and other agronomic traits with four control cultivars<br />
(Gangapuri, M 13, ICGS 44, ICGS 76) during 2009-10 postrainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons. ICG 6022<br />
(fastigiata) produced higher pod yield (1.21 t ha -1 ) with higher 100-seed weight (65g) than the control<br />
cultivar Gangapuri (0.92 t ha -1 , 44g 100-seed -1 ) during post-rainy season. ICG 11426 produced (3.53 t<br />
ha -1 ; 50.0g 100-seed -1 ) higher pod yield than all the control cultivars (1.36 – 1.95 t ha -1 ; 40.0-48.0g<br />
100-seed -1 ) during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
Drought tolerance in groundnut: Drought is one of the most important constraints for productivity,<br />
and there is a scope to avert large portion of these productivity losses through crop improvements. We<br />
evaluated previously identified 20 contrasting genotypes (10 low and 10 high root length/density) with<br />
four control cultivars (Gangapuri, M 13, ICGS 44, ICGS 76) for pod yield and other agronomic traits<br />
during 2009-10 postrainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons. ICGV 02286 and ICGV 94169 (1.28-1.34 t ha -1 )<br />
among the higher root length density(RLD) types produced higher pod yield with greater 100-seed<br />
weight (61-73g) in comparison to all the control cultivars (0.74-1.22 t ha -1 ; 42-60 g). Among the lower<br />
RLD types ICGV 01328 and ICGV 86011 (1.48-1.75 t ha -1 ) produced higher pod yield in comparison<br />
to all the control cultivars (0.74-1.22 t ha -1 ; 42-60 g) during 2009-10 postrainy season. ICG 14426,<br />
ICGV 02286 and ICGV 94169 (2.51-3.59 t ha -1 ) among the higher RLD types produced higher pod<br />
yield with greater 100-seed weight (37 – 51 g) in comparison to all the control cultivars (1.34-1.75 t ha -<br />
1 ; 29 - 45 g). Among the lower RLD types ICGV 92206 (1.87 t ha -1 ) produced higher pod yield during<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season Similarly evaluated 20 groundnut germplasm with high (10) and low (10) total dry<br />
mass and four control cultivars for agronomic traits during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. None of the lines<br />
produced higher pod yield than the control cultivars. We also evaluated 10 high and 10 low<br />
transpiration efficient groundnut germplasm with four control cultivars (Gangapuri, ICGS 44, ICGS 76<br />
and M 13) during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. ICG 13099 and ICG 14710 (1.54 – 1.58 t ha -1 ) produced higher<br />
pod yield than the control cultivars (1.37 – 1.48 t ha -1 )<br />
Bud necrosis disease (BND) and defoliation tolerant groundnut: Bud necrosis disease and<br />
defoliation are the major biotic stresses affecting the groundnut production drastically. We evaluated<br />
20 previously identified tolerant/resistant genotypes under natural field condition with four control<br />
cultivars (Gangapuri, M 13, ICGS 44, ICGS 76) for pod yield and other agronomic traits during 2009-10<br />
67
postrainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons. ICGV 01276 and ICGV 86011 (1.45-1.83 t ha -1 ) produced higher<br />
pod yield than all the control cultivars (0.85-1.40 t ha -1 ) during postrainy season. ICGV 01276 and<br />
ICGV 86011 (2.28 – 4.27 t ha -1 ) produced higher pod yield than all the control cultivars (1.23 – 2.28 t<br />
ha -1 ) during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
Evaluation of groundnut germplasm for agronomic traits: 264 germplasm lines and four control<br />
cultivars (Gangapuri, M 13, ICGS 44 and ICGS 76) as part of reference set were evaluated in alpha<br />
design during 2009-10 postrainy season. ICGs 5236, 12991, 15419, 11088 and ICGVs 87354, 91116,<br />
97183, 87921, 88145, 01276, 01328, and ICGV 02446 (1.37 – 1.88 t ha -1 ) produced greater pod yield<br />
than all the controls (0.69 – 1.36 t ha -1 ).<br />
Pearl millet<br />
During <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 360 accessions of fodder type, 238 accessions of mini core collection, 335<br />
accessions of P. violaceum and 48 accessions of P. mollissimum were planted in different trials for<br />
evaluation. Accessions were grown in a single row of 4-m length in alpha-design with two replications.<br />
Fodder type pearl millet: A total of 360 accessions were evaluated for fodder traits, such as high<br />
tillering, high plant height and high scoring for green fodder yield potential. IP 3616 and IP 22269<br />
(both fodder types) and IP 17862 (grain type) were used as controls. Accessions selected were highly<br />
diverse for days to 50% flowering ranging from 41 to 128 days. Plant height varied from 142.9 cm to<br />
440.7 cm, total tillers from 1 to 18 tillers, leaf length from 60 to 78 cm, leaf width from 24 to 44 mm<br />
and number of leaves from 9 to 20. None of the accessions flowered earlier than the best control IP<br />
17862, which is a grain type and flowered in 45 days. Fourteen accessions for stem thickness, 9<br />
accessions for leaf width, four accessions (IPs 6140, 11593, 17189 and 17287) for number of leaves per<br />
plant, 61 accessions for plant height, 46 accessions for total tillers per plant, 28 accessions for<br />
productive tillers per plant, 35 accessions for panicle length and 3 accessions (IPs 6494, 11673 and<br />
17342) for panicle thickness, showed significantly better performance than the best control.<br />
Mini core collection: For enhanced utilization of germplasm in crop improvement, the researchers at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> genebank developed pearl millet core collection consisting 2094 accessions representing the<br />
entire collection for diversity (Upadhyaya et al. 2008). The size of core collection was large and<br />
unwieldy for management. Therefore for effective management and evaluation, a mini core collection<br />
consisting 238 accessions (10% of core collection or 1% of entire collection; Crop Science 51:217-223)<br />
and representing the diversity of entire collection (20,766 cultivated germplasm accessions) was<br />
developed. During <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, mini core collection (238 accessions) was evaluated for<br />
important agronomic traits. Seven accessions (IPs 4291, 7846, 9492, 9527, 11546, 12418 and 17532)<br />
for flowering, 40 accessions for plant height, six accessions (IPs 3626, 4291, 7497, 7846, 7886, 18040)<br />
for total tillers per plant, 4 accessions (IPs 3626, 4291, 7497 and 7886) for productive tillers, 42<br />
accessions for panicle length and 31 accessions for panicle thickness, performed better than the best<br />
control. Evaluation data of wild species is being computerized.<br />
Heat tolerance in Pearl millet: To promote pearl millet adaptation in the face of changes in climate,<br />
substantial efforts are needed to identify trait-specific germplasm adapted to abiotic stresses<br />
particularly high temperature. Adverse effect of high temperature has been reported in cereal crops as<br />
shortening of the developmental phases resulting in reduced productivity. Pearl millet mini core<br />
collection was evaluated under stress (high temperature) and non-stress (normal) conditions for<br />
agronomic traits during rainy (June/July planting; temperature 22-31°C) and summer season<br />
(Feb/March planting; temperature 35-43°C) at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru and during rainy (40- 42° C) and<br />
summer season (42-52°C) at Jodhpur /Sanchore, Rajasthan, India (coinciding high temperature at<br />
reproductive stage). Data on important agronomic traits such as days to 50% flowering, days to<br />
maturity, plant height, number of total and productive tillers, panicle exsertion, panicle length, panicle<br />
thickness, panicle compactness, 1000-seed weight, seed color, seed yield potential and fodder yield<br />
potential were recorded and the difference in trait values recorded between normal and high<br />
temperature seasons were taken as a measure of heat tolerance. Mean performance of accessions over<br />
locations under stress conditions indicated significantly higher performance of 5 accessions (IP 5185,<br />
IP 5711, IP 5719, IP 8472 and IP 20715) for plant height, 12 accessions for panicle length and one<br />
accessions (IP 5581) for stover yield. Overall mean of accessions under stress conditions indicated<br />
early flowering (64.5 days) relatively short height (185 cm) and low stover and seed yield when<br />
compared to performance under normal conditions. 10 accessions (IPs 1566, 3525, 5389, 6798, 8350,<br />
10953, 16402, 16489, 17775 and 19305) for flowering, one accession (IP 13387) for plant height and<br />
68
three accessions (IP 9617, IP 18545 and IP 19305) for stover yield did not show any effect of stress<br />
conditions and performed similarly under both conditions. Flowering was delayed by 1-16 days in 122<br />
accessions under stress conditions. Maximum delay for flowering was in IP 7846, which flowered in 39<br />
days under normal conditions and 55 days under stress conditions. On the other hand, 106 accessions<br />
flowered early under stress conditions. In 168 accessions including one control (IP 3616), plant height<br />
was affected and decreased under stress conditions. Maximum reduction in plant height was observed<br />
in IP 14599 (129.6 cm). The selected heat tolerant accessions will be further studied to understand the<br />
physiological basis of heat tolerance by physiologists. The heat tolerant pearl millet germplasm will be<br />
made available to researchers worldwide under the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) of<br />
the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) for further<br />
testing and utilization in breeding and genomics applications including mapping and cloning of<br />
genes/QTL associated with heat tolerance.<br />
Sorghum<br />
Evaluated 242 accessions of sorghum mini core collection accessions, 103 new germplasm accessions<br />
received from Griffin, USA and 574 data missing accessions for important morpho-agronomic<br />
characters like days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), panicle exsertion (cm), panicle length (cm),<br />
panicle width (cm), and on sucrose content during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. We also characterized 100<br />
accessions of wild sorghums during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The plant stand was good, and data were<br />
recorded for important morpho-agronomic characters. These characters are days to 50 % flowering,<br />
culm height, plants rooting at culm nodes, culm branching above, culm hairiness, culm pigmentation,<br />
waxy bloom, nodal hairiness, nodal hair type, nodal pigmentation, leaf sheath clasping, leaf shape, leaf<br />
color, midrib color, leaf blade (abaxial), leaf blade (adaxial), leaf margin hairiness, leaf sheath<br />
hairiness, ligule form, leaf length (5 th leaf) cm, leaf width (5 th leaf) cm, panicle exsertion (cm), panicle<br />
length (cm), panicle width (cm), rachis node number, plants whether rhizomatous or not, basal tillers<br />
number, panicle shape, rachis continuity, number of branches at each node, spikelet pairing and raceme<br />
length. Post harvest data analysis is progress.<br />
Characterized 12 wild sorghum germplasm accessions of S. aethiopicuum (2), S. verticilliflorum (4), S.<br />
Virgatum (4), and S. arundinaceum (2) for rhizoplane soils in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. Data analysis is in progress<br />
The use of these new sources of variation in plant breeding would have a great impact in developing<br />
new and improved high yielding broad based cultivars for cultivation under diversified cropping<br />
systems and varied environmental conditions<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
Milestone: 2.1.3.3: New/assembled germplasm characterized/evaluated for important traits to fill gaps<br />
in characterization data (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Characterization and evaluation of germplasm are the crucial component of genebank activities and are<br />
required to enhance the use of germplasm in crop improvement and molecular biology. We identified<br />
characterization gaps in the databases of chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea, pearl millet and sorghum.<br />
These accessions were characterized along with the newly assembled germplasm. Characterization data<br />
was recorded and databases updated.<br />
Chickpea: Characterized 1048 chickpea accessions to fill the gaps in characterization database for<br />
days to 50% flowering, days to flower ending, flower color, plant color, flowering duration, growth<br />
habit, and days to maturity during 2008-09 postrainy season.<br />
69
Groundnut: Characterized 453 groundnut accessions during 2008-09 postrainy and 200 accessions<br />
during 2009 rainy season to fill the gaps in characterization database for 31 agro-morphological traits<br />
Pigeonpea During 2008-09, a total of 670 accessions of pigeonpea were characterized to fill the gaps<br />
for various traits in characterization database. The gaps were mostly for leaf size. In continuation of our<br />
efforts to fill the gaps in characterization database, we have planted another set of 804 accessions in<br />
2009-<strong>2010</strong> rainy season in vertisols for recording observations on various characters. Recording of<br />
observations is in progress.<br />
Pearl millet: Registered, characterized, and documented 617 pearl millet germplasm accessions<br />
identified as unique in genebank at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Niamey, Niger, for 23 morpho-agronomic traits. Data<br />
revealed considerable diversity for almost all traits in the newly acquired pearl millet collection. Days<br />
to 50% flowering in the newly acquired pearl millet collection ranged from 56 to 113 days, plant height<br />
varied from 205 to 445 cm. Total tillers varied from 1 to 5 and productive tillers from 1 to 3, panicle<br />
length from 14 to 120 cm, panicle thickness from 12 to 40 mm and panicle density score from 4 to 8.<br />
Sorghum: 482 newly assembled sorghum germplasm accessions from Niger were characterized and<br />
classified for important morpho-agronomic characters. These include races bicolor (59 accessions),<br />
guinea (40 accessions), caudatum (43 accessions) and durra (24 accessions), and intermediate races<br />
guinea-caudatum (78 accessions), caudatum-bicolor (130 accessions), durra-bicolor (8 accessions),<br />
kafir-caudatum (2 accessions) and durra-caudatum (98 accessions).<br />
The updated characterization databases will facilitate the scientists to select the germplasm lines for use<br />
in crop improvement<br />
HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone: 2.1.3.4: New germplasm sources identified for target insect pests and diseases in different<br />
crops (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Identification of new germplasm source for resistance to ascochyta blight, botrytis gray mold,<br />
fusarium wilt, dry root rot and collar rot in chickpea: To identify resistance to Ascochyta blight<br />
(AB), Botrytis gray mold (BGM), Fusarium wilt (FW), collar rot (CR) and dry root rot (DRR) diseases<br />
of chickpea, 250 new germplasm accessions were evaluated following green house/controlled<br />
environment conditions at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru. Standardized resistance screening techniques based<br />
on sound epidemiological principles were followed to evaluate these accessions for individual diseases.<br />
Severities of AB, BGM and DRR were scored on 1-9 rating scale and the incidence of FW and CR was<br />
recorded as percentage of mortality. Results are as follows:<br />
Resistance to AB: Twenty one lines were found moderately resistant (3.1-5.0 rating, based on 1-9<br />
scale) to AB.<br />
Resistance to BGM: Ninety three lines were found moderately resistant (3.1-5.0 rating, based on 1-9<br />
scale) to BGM.<br />
Resistance to DRR: Two lines were found moderately resistant (3.1-5.0 rating, based on 1-9 scale) to<br />
DRR.<br />
Resistance to CR: Two lines were found moderately resistant (10.1-20% incidence) to collar rot.<br />
Resistance to FW: Thirty lines were asymptomatic (0% incidence) and four lines moderately resistant<br />
(10.1-20% incidence) to FW.<br />
The susceptible controls for FW and CR (JG62) showed 100% incidence, while controls for AB (PB7),<br />
BGM (JG 62), and DRR (BG 212) were rated 8-9 on 1-9 severity rating scale, where 1= resistant and<br />
9=highly susceptible<br />
Suresh Pande, Mamta Sharma, HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
70
Evaluation of chickpea reference set for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
80%<br />
The reference collection is being evaluated for third seasons<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Indian Institute of Pulses Research - India; Institute of Agricultural Research - Ethiopia; Kenya<br />
Agricultural Research Institute - Kenya<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Evaluation of chickpea reference set for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera. The<br />
reference set (300 lines), along with the resistant (ICC 506), and the susceptible (L 550) controls was<br />
evaluated for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera during the 2008/09 postrainy season at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru, India. There were three replications in a randomized complete block design. The<br />
test material was sown on ridges, 60 cm apart. There were two rows for each plot, 2 m long. The plants<br />
were thinned to a spacing of 10 cm between the plants at 15 days after seedling emergence. Normal<br />
agronomic practices were followed for raising the crop, but there was no insecticides application in the<br />
experimental plots. Data were recorded on leaf and pod damage, egg and larval density per 10 plants,<br />
overall resistance score, and grain yield. The material was also evaluated for resistance to H. armigera<br />
using detached leaf assay at the vegetative (30 days after seedling emergence) stage. For this purpose,<br />
the terminal branches (5 – 7 cm long, with five fully expanded leaves) were infested with 10 neonate<br />
larvae in a 250 ml plastic cup in the laboratory. Data were recorded on leaf feeding on a 1 – 9 scale (1<br />
= 80% leaf area damaged), larval weight, and larval survival at 5 days after infestation.<br />
In detached leaf assay at the vegetative stage (30 days after seedling emergence), leaf feeding scores<br />
ranged from 1.67 – 7.98 (mean 3.98), and compared to 3.67 on ICC 506 and ICC 3137. Larval weights<br />
ranged from 0.58 – 5.65 mg (mean 2.80 mg) compared to 1.91 mg on ICC 506, and 2.94 mg on ICC<br />
3137. Many lines suffered low feeding damage and also had lower larval weight gains comparable to<br />
the resistant control, ICC 506, and further screening of these lines may result in identification of<br />
genotypes with antifeedant and/or antibiosis mechanism of resistance to H. armigera.<br />
Under natural infestation in the field, leaf feeding scores varied from 3.5 – 7.5 in the reference set, 5.5<br />
in ICCV 10, and 5.0 in ICC 3137 during the vegetative phase. There were 0.0 – 9.0 larvae per 5 plants<br />
in the reference set, 4.0 in ICCV 10, and 5.5 in ICC 3137. During the reproductive stage, there were 0.0<br />
– 17.0 larvae per 5 plants in the reference set, 3.5 in ICCV 10, and 6.0 larvae in ICC 3137. Overall<br />
resistance scores ranged from 3.0 – 8.0 (mean 6.25), 3.5 in ICCV 10 and 7.0 in ICC 3137. Pod damage<br />
ranged from 3.5 - 86.9% in the reference set, 12.9% in ICCV 10 and 24% in ICC 3137. The grain yield<br />
of the test lines ranged from 100 – 2,530 kg ha -1 , The genotypes showing lower susceptibility to<br />
damage by H. armigera and a yield potential of >1,000 kg ha -1 under unprotected conditions will be<br />
distributed to NARS partners for use in breeding programs or for on-farm testing for use by the<br />
farmers. The genotypes ICC 1230, ICC 2263, ICC 3325, ICC 4567, ICC 5135, ICC 6874, ICC 10466,<br />
ICC 11198, ICC 12307, ICC 14831, ICC 15406, ICC 15606, and ICC 16524 suffered low H. armigera<br />
damage and plant mortality due to seedling diseases, and also exhibited high yield potential under<br />
unprotected conditions. The results indicated that there is considerable variation in the reference set for<br />
resistance/susceptibility to H. armigera, and selections based on detached leaf assay, and field<br />
performance of the lines can be used for developing breeding populations with resistance to pod borer.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes 1- Gates Foundation<br />
HC Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
71
Output target 2.1.4: Germplasm accessions regenerated for conservation and distribution (2011)<br />
Activity: Regenerate critical accessions of staple crops germplasm<br />
MTP 2011 2.1.1<br />
Milestone 2.1.4.1: Germplasm of staple crops regenerated (2000 accessions) for conservation and<br />
distribution (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Germplasm regeneration is an important component of genebank management. Chickpea, groundnut,<br />
pigeonpea, pearl millet and sorghum germplasm lines with low seed stock and poor viability (
Germplasm of staple crops assembled and conserved for utilization at regional genebanks in<br />
Africa (Bulawayo, Nairobi and Niamey)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
80%<br />
Stringent germplasm exchange requirements from Ethiopia made it difficult to get germplasm from there.<br />
Countries involved:<br />
Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and Ethiopia<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
KARI-Kenya, NARO-Uganda, DRD-Tanzania, EIAR/ARARI-Ethiopia.<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> in collaboration with Tanzanian and Ugandan NARs, conducted collection missions in June-<br />
July <strong>2010</strong> to fill gaps. In Tanzania collection targeted the southern part of the country: (Sumbawanga,<br />
Nkasi and Mbozi districts); a major millet growing area, but where little is known on its production.<br />
Ugandan collection targeted all major growing areas (Soroti, Kumi, Serere, Apac, Lira, Hoima and<br />
Masindi districts). A total of 81 and 105 samples were collected from Tanzania and Uganda,<br />
respectively and being characterized in Kiboko. Germplasm is yet to be got from Ethiopia.<br />
Special project funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
Mary Mgonja, Henry Ojulong<br />
E Manyasa P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Milestone: 2.1.4.2: Germplasm accessions of staple crops germplasm with low seed stock/viability<br />
regenerated (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Germplasm regeneration is an important component of genebank management. Chickpea, groundnut,<br />
pigeonpea, pearl millet and sorghum germplasm lines with low seed stock and poor viability (
• Season – Since groundnut is day-neutral and seeds can be regenerated both during rainy and<br />
post-rainy seasons. A minimum of two plantings in each ring was achieved in one year. Pod<br />
returns are assured irrespective of the season and local weather conditions.<br />
• Operations – With minimal monitoring and care during the regeneration cycle the efficiency<br />
gains were larger.<br />
• Pod/seed yields – All the wild species have potential for higher pod yield as observed from the<br />
data. Extending the harvesting period till pod set and maturity in each accession and confining<br />
pod set within the ring facilitated achieving the desirable yields. Harvesting all the developed<br />
pods was possible in rings while these were not possible under field conditions.<br />
• Genetic integrity – The main objective of establishing the facility is to maintain genetic<br />
integrity of the wild species accessions during regeneration by restricting plant growth and<br />
pod set to one ring thereby avoiding admixtures from other accessions. This was a big<br />
constraint under field regeneration.<br />
Updated seed stock of staple crops germplasm with low and poor viability with healthy pure and viable<br />
seed to meet the seed request.<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
Milestone: 2.1.4.3: Seed viability and health of new and regenerated germplasm tested and viability of<br />
conserved germplasm monitored ()<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Provide healthy, pure and viable seed is an important genebank activity. We monitored the seed<br />
viability and health of chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea, pearl millet and sorghum germplasm which<br />
were regenerated to update the seed stocks in base and active collections and to maintain a safety<br />
backup.<br />
Seed viability: The seed viability of 8,952 accessions was tested during this period. This included<br />
4,290 samples of germplasm for medium-term storage and safety back up at Svalbard (sorghum-770,<br />
chickpea – 3,063 and pigeonpea – 457); 2,182 for medium-term storage (Sorghum- 1,496 and pearl<br />
millet – 686); 1,066 accessions of working collections (sorghum – 720 groundnut – 188 and pigeonpea<br />
– 158); and monitoring viability on 1,414 accessions of sorghum base collection.<br />
Seed health testing: Seed health test of new and regenerated germplasm is a regular activity of Plant<br />
Quarantine Laboratory (PQL) in collaboration with genebank. During <strong>2010</strong>, a total of 1029 germplasm<br />
accessions (pigeonpea-576 and sorghum-453) regenerated from medium term storage of the genebank<br />
were evaluated for their seed health status using the standard blotter method. Four hundred and ninety<br />
accessions were completely free from pathogens. In the remaining accessions, we detected 17 fungi in<br />
pigeonpea and 18 in sorghum. Among the major seed borne fungi detected were species of<br />
Aspergillus, Alternaria, and Fusarium in pigeonpea, Alternaria, Fusarium and Curvularia in sorghum.<br />
The accessions found unfit for storage and distribution varied from 6 to 16% across two crops as the<br />
germination was below 80% and fungal infection from 4 to 92%.<br />
Updated the seed stocks of staple crops germplasm with low and poor viability in base and active<br />
collections with healthy, pure and viable seeds to meet the seed request.<br />
RP Thakur, R Sharma, HD Upadhyaya and NBPGR<br />
Milestone: 2.1.4.4: Germplasm samples processed for medium- and long-term conservation (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
74
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Regeneration and conservation are important activities of genebank management. Regenerated<br />
germplasm of staple crops were processed for moisture content, genetic and physical purity and<br />
viability test and the accessions which met the required standard for all the test were transferred to<br />
medium- and long-term collections<br />
Seed harvests of 389 critical accessions of chickpea (93) and groundnut (296) regenerated in the special<br />
facilities during 2009 were transferred to the medium term storage on priority basis. Additionally, seed<br />
samples of 6,366 accessions regenerated during the rainy and post-rainy seasons were transferred to the<br />
medium-term cold rooms following standard protocols. These include sorghum (2,160), pearl millet<br />
(686), chickpea (3,063) and pigeonpea (457). Seed yield from 2009 post-rainy season was poor in<br />
majority of accessions because of stem rot/white mold infection on the standing crop and harvested<br />
seeds were processed for <strong>2010</strong> post-rainy season plantings. A total of 1,443 accessions were processed<br />
for long-term storage (chickpea – 935; pigeonpea – 54; and sorghum – 454) bringing the total base<br />
collection to 108,558 accessions covering 90.7% of the entire collection.<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
Activity: Establish safety back up collections of staple crops<br />
Milestone: 2.1.4.5: Facilities identified for backup safety storage of germplasm collections in<br />
collaboration with partners and samples processed for safety backup (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
As part of the agreement between <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and the Nordic Genetic Resources Center, Norway), we<br />
deposited the germplasm of staple crops to Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway for safety back up.<br />
Identified germplasm accessions of staple crops for safety back up. These accessions were regenerated<br />
and processed for safety back up. We have deposited 22,000 seed samples of in-trust staple crops<br />
germplasm at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway following standard protocols of seed health<br />
testing and certification by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in India. An<br />
additional 900 accessions from this set were also sent for germination monitoring in due course of time.<br />
The passport and characterization data on these accessions was successfully uploaded to the public data<br />
portal at www.nordgen.org/sgsv. With these depositions the total number of duplicate samples of<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> germplasm of staple crops at the seed vault increased to 58,600 representing sorghum<br />
(21,000), pearl millet (13,580), chickpea (10,005), pigeonpea (8,000) and groundnut (6,015). Thus,<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> is fulfilling the role of the great initiative for saving global agricultural biodiversity for future<br />
generations.<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
MTP 2009 2.1.2<br />
Milestone 2.1.5.1: Staple crops germplasm databases updated and uploaded to SINGER database<br />
(2009)<br />
Progress reported in 2009:<br />
75%<br />
75
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Under agreement between <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and Svalbard Global Seed Vault the databases of chickpea,<br />
groundnut, pigeonpea, pearl millet and sorghum were updated and uploaded to the SINGER format and<br />
Svalbard Global Seed Vault<br />
The passport information on 109,378 accessions of staple crops and their distribution data (outside the<br />
institution) have been uploaded to SINGER following standard protocols. The distribution data<br />
includes 664,541 samples of 91,047 accessions represented by sorghum (32,200), pearl millet (17,252),<br />
chickpea (16,507), pigeonpea (10,664) and groundnut (14,424). Passport and conservation data of<br />
58,600 accessions, deposited at Svalbard Global Seed Vault was uploaded to www.nordgen.Org/sgsv.<br />
The Other documentation activities included the following the design and validation of web based<br />
Chickpea Crop Registry, design and updating the genebank website and improvement of georeferences<br />
data quality<br />
Passport and characterization data of 58,600 accessions, deposited at Svalbard Global Seed Vault was<br />
uploaded to www.nordgen.Org/sgsv. Similarly information on 109,378 accessions of staple crops has<br />
been updated to SINGER server.<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
MTP <strong>2010</strong> 2.1.2<br />
Output target 2.1.6: 85% of germplasm characterized and documented for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Characterize and document staple crops germplasm assembled<br />
Milestone 2.1.6.1: Germplasm accessions of staple crops characterized for morpho-agronomic traits<br />
and documented for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Characterization and documentation are the integral component of genebank management to enhance<br />
the use of genetic diversity conserved in genebanks in crop improvement programs and genomics. We<br />
identified the gaps in characterization databases of staple crops, characterized those accessions and<br />
updated the databases<br />
Characterized 248 chickpea accessions for updating plant pigmentation and 405 accessions for<br />
updating flowering duration, 315 groundnut accessions for updating 19 traits, 335 accessions of P.<br />
violaceum, and 48 accessions of P. mollissimum in pearl millet and 804 accessions of pigeonpea, 103<br />
accessions of sorghum and gaps in databases updated. Additionally we grew 517 of pearl millet, 910<br />
accessions of pigeonpea, 110 accessions of chickpea, and 650 accessions of groundnut during <strong>2010</strong>-11<br />
season for gaps in databases. With these updates, our databases contain characterization and evaluation<br />
data on 97% of total accessions conserved in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> genebank.<br />
76<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda
Germplasm characterized and documented for utilization at regional genebanks in Africa<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
80%<br />
as data and materials are still under processing<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Southern Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
MOA-Sudan, KARI-Kenya, NARO-Uganda, DRD-Tanzania<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
45 sorghum accessions collected from Southern Sudan were characterized at Kiboko (Kenya) and Torit<br />
(S. Sudan) in <strong>2010</strong>. The data is still being processed.<br />
Special project funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
Mary Mgonja, Henry Ojulong,<br />
E Manyasa P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
MTP <strong>2010</strong> 2.1.1<br />
Output target 2.1.7: Germplasm of staple crops assembled and conserved for utilization at<br />
regional genebanks in Africa (Bulawayo, Nairobi and Niamey) (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Identify sorghum collection gaps, collect and conserve new germplasm from identified<br />
priority areas in the eastern and southern Africa (ESA)<br />
Milestone: Gap analysis for pearl millet collection published (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India and Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru and Niamey<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Critical assessment of existing collections, identifying geographical and diversity gaps and launching<br />
germplasm collection missions in unexplored and under-explored areas is important to increase the<br />
variability and achieve near completion of the collection to support crop improvement program and<br />
combat the effect of climate change on crop productivity. The <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Genebank in India holds the<br />
world’s largest collection of 21,594 pearl millet germplasm accessions from 50 countries including<br />
6,529 landraces from 10 Asian countries. Gaps in the pearl millet collection database were analysed<br />
using GIS tools.<br />
Gap analysis revealed 134 distinct districts of 14 provinces in India and 12 districts of Punjab province<br />
in Pakistan as the major geographical gaps. In India, Chittoor, Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Prakasham and<br />
Warangal in Andhra Pradesh; Raigarh in Chattisgarh; Dewas and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh; Buldana<br />
and Hingoli in Maharashtra; Malkangiri, Nabarangapur, Naupada, and Sundergarh in Orissa; Bhilwara,<br />
Chittaurgarh and Kota in Rajasthan; Thiruvallur and Vellore in Tamil Nadu and Auraiya, Chandauli,<br />
Chitrakoot, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Hamirpur, Kushinagar, Mau, Shrawasti and Sonbhadra in Uttar Pradesh<br />
were found as common geographical gaps by both methods; agricultural statistics for India predicted<br />
probability of pearl millet occurrence, used in this study. A total of 208 distinct districts of 12<br />
provinces were identified as gaps in diversity for one or more traits. Among all districts, Beed, Latur<br />
and Osmanabad in Maharashtra, India; Rajanpur, Mujaffargarh, Multan and Lodhran for panicle length<br />
and Chakwal and Sargodha in Pakistan and southern parts of North Yemen and Lahiz provinces in<br />
Yemen were identified as gaps in the diversity. In India, Warangal in Andhra Pradesh; Rewa in<br />
77
Madhya Pradesh; Hingoli in Maharashtra; Vellore in Tamil Nadu; Auraiya, Chandauli, Chitrakut,<br />
Gorakhpur and Mau in Uttar Pradesh were identified as gaps in diversity for one or more traits and<br />
found common to geographical gaps identified. In Pakistan, Lodhran, Multan and Muzaffargarh were<br />
identified as gaps common to probability and diversity methods.<br />
Area for exploration should be decided prior to launch of the collection mission in consultation with<br />
local government officials and extension officers, who are known to have knowledge of pearl millet<br />
cultivation in the identified districts. It is suggested to collect the complete passport data including georeference<br />
information while collecting the germplasm. A journal article was published in Plant Genetic<br />
Resources 8:267-276.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone: African accessions of GCP pearl millet reference collection characterized in West Africa<br />
(2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Nigeria, Niger, Mali<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
LCRI, IER, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
This Trust-funded project has been successfully completed with a final report which was appreciated<br />
by the donor; the respective manuscript preparation is in final stages (abstract copied below); data have<br />
been shared with the Trust and with Trushar Shah (<strong>ICRISAT</strong> database manager) for inclusion in a data<br />
base.<br />
Abstract. To promote utilization of West and Central African (WCA) genetic resources of pearl millet<br />
[Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], and to enhance linkages between the Generation Challenge Program<br />
(GCP) and WCA pearl millet breeding programs, the present project aimed at agro-morphological<br />
characterization of selected accessions from the GCP pearl millet reference collection. A total of 81<br />
accessions from the collection were successfully multiplied via manual “sibbing” at Sadore (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-<br />
Niger) during the off-seasons 2008/2009 and February 2009. The 81 accessions comprised 78<br />
cultivated landraces and three improved cultivars. The 78 landraces originated from 13 countries,<br />
namely Benin (1 accession), Burkina Faso (8), Cameroon (6), Central Africa (1), Ghana (4), Mali (9),<br />
Mauritania (1), Niger (15), Nigeria (14), Senegal (1), South Africa (3), Sudan (10), and Togo (5). The<br />
three improved cultivars originated from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger (2) and from a joint <strong>ICRISAT</strong> / “Institut<br />
d’Economie Rurale” (IER, Mali) breeding program (1). In cooperation with Lake Chad Research<br />
Institute (LCRI, Nigeria) and IER, 74 of the 81 accessions (depending on available seed quantity) were<br />
characterized together with 7 controls in the rainy season 2009 in field trials under low- and high-input<br />
conditions at Sadore (Niger), Maiduguri (Nigeria) and Cinzana (Mali). All 81 accessions were<br />
evaluated together with 18 controls for resistance to the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.)<br />
Benth. in an artificially infested field at Sadore (Niger). The tested accessions revealed a wide range of<br />
genetic diversity for various traits. Several accessions were identified as sources for specific traits of<br />
interest, such as presence of long awns, compact panicles with high grain density; specific grain color;<br />
earliness, lower susceptibility to Striga, and wide adaptation across the various test environments.<br />
These accessions are currently being integrated in <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s and partner NARS’ breeding programs.<br />
The project therefore successfully contributed to use of genetic resources and diversification of pearl<br />
millet breeding programs in Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Seed of all accessions and characterization data<br />
are available with <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Global Crop Diversity Trust<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
78
Activity: Conserve safety copy of germplasm held at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru at Sadore, Niger<br />
Milestone 2.1.7.2: Safety copy of germplasm conserved at Niamey genebank (groundnut, finger millet<br />
and pearl millet) (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The safety duplicates of a total of 11,791 accessions (5,205 pearl millet, 4,580 finger millet and 2,006<br />
groundnut accessions) were conserved in deep freezers at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niamey at -20°C. We have<br />
encountered few problems of power cuts for short periods which may not influence the viability of well<br />
dried seeds and samples packed in good quality laminated aluminum pouches for storage at sub-zero<br />
temperatures. However, we are adopting suitable precautionary measures to avoid such power<br />
interruptions in future.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
No<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Activity: Safely conserve assembled germplasm for utilization<br />
Milestone: 2.1.7.4: Germination tested for groundnut, sorghum and millet germplasm accessions at<br />
Sadore, Niger (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The Sadore genebank team (Hassane Bissala, Sani Awel) tested 5540 groundnut accessions for<br />
germination percentage to identify critical accessions. These tested 5540 accessions covered all FAO<br />
in-trust groundnut accessions (with ICG number) stored in the active collection.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
No<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Milestone: 2.1.7.5: Critical accessions of groundnut, sorghum and millet regenerated in glasshouses at<br />
Sadore, Niger (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
INRAN-Niger<br />
79
Progress/Results:<br />
A total of 566 critical groundnut accessions and 130 sorghum accessions with low seed quantities were<br />
regenerated in <strong>2010</strong>. Groundnut regeneration took place at the INRAN Station at Bengou, financed by<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> core funds. After shelling, more than 300g of seeds was obtained for each 536 groundnut<br />
accessions. The sorghum accessions were regenerated at Sadore and simultaneously characterized for<br />
up to 20 traits, to augment the characterization data base. Processing of harvest observation and data<br />
analyses are still underway.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
No special project funding.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Milestone: 2.1.7.6: Germplasm accessions of groundnut, sorghum and pearl millet regenerated in the<br />
field at Sadore, Niger (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
INRAN-Niger<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
<strong>Report</strong>ed under milestone 2.1.7.5<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Output target 2.1.8: Unrestricted access and movement for staple crops germplasm ensured<br />
(<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Assure risk-free export and import of germplasm materials<br />
Milestone 2.1.8.1: Requested germplasm of staple crops distributed to bona fide users for utilization<br />
(Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Twenty six countries – Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ethiopia, Germany, Ghana,<br />
India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Nepal, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Senegal, South Africa,<br />
Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom and USA<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru, NARS in 26 countries<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Unrestricted movement of germplasm is required to utilize the variation available in vast pool of plant<br />
genetic resources. Pure, healthy and viable seeds of staple crops were supplied on request following<br />
standard germplasm distribution protocols.<br />
The Patancheru genebank distributed 3,268 germplasm samples in 88 consignments for research use in<br />
26 countries following standard germplasm distribution protocols. This included sorghum (1,423),<br />
pearl millet (360), chickpea (783), pigeonpea (319) and groundnut (383). Part of this distribution<br />
includes eight sets of mini core collection (sorghum – 4, chickpea -3 and pigeonpea – 1). The user<br />
community includes CGIAR centre (25), NARS (1,413), University (1,455), commercial company<br />
(370) and farmer/individual (5).<br />
80
Additionally, 2,888 germplasm samples representing sorghum (2,038), pearl millet (531), chickpea<br />
(89), pigeonpea (186) and groundnut (44) were supplied to scientists within the institute. The supply<br />
included one reference set of sorghum and two sets of pearl millet mini core collection. We supplied a<br />
total of 6156 seed samples to the researchers in 26 countries and within <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
RP Thakur, HD Upadhyaya, CLL Gowda and NBPGR<br />
Milestone 2.1.8.2: Requested germplasm of staple crops exported for utilization and new germplasm<br />
imported for conservation after seed health evaluation and clearance through NBPGR (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Export. PQL facilitated export of 19263 seed/grain samples of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s mandate crops to 46<br />
countries during <strong>2010</strong>. Among exported samples, 16034 seed samples (sorghum-2456, pearl millet-<br />
7613, chickpea- 4592, pigeonpea- 304, groundnut-947 and small millets-122) were processed for<br />
phytosanitary measures through NBPGR Hyderabad and exported along with 136 phytosanitary<br />
certificates. Additional 3229 samples (Pearl millet 3185 grain samples for chemical analysis to<br />
Australia and chickpea 44 seed samples to USA for research) were sent without phytosanitary<br />
certificate after following importing country’s regulations. A total of 135 (0.8% of the total processed<br />
for phytosanitary certificates) seed samples (sorghum-30, pearl millet-27, Chickpea-61, pigeonpea-10<br />
and groundnut-7) were rejected either due to poor germination, and/or association with seed borne<br />
fungi (Bipolaris sacchari, Fusarium spp., Botryodiplodia theobromae, Rhizoctonia bataticola, R.<br />
solani) or gram -ve bacteria, store-grain pests, bacteria of unknown etiology and samples for which<br />
FAO designation status was not provided by the consignors.<br />
PQL arranged the export of 284 plant parts dried at 60ºC and ground to 1mm particle size to USA (115<br />
samples of pearl millet flour) and Afghanistan (169 samples of mixed grass of wheat and legume<br />
forage) with two phytosanitary certificates. PQL also arranged export of one bulk consignment (300kg)<br />
of pigeonpea ICPL 88039 to Nepal with phytosanitary certificate. All these consignments were<br />
subjected to phytosanitary measures (inspections and issuance of phytosanitary certificates) through<br />
Plant Quarantine Station, Hyderabad under the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage,<br />
Ministry of Agriculture, India.<br />
Import:<br />
Applications processed for Import permits: A total of 26 import permit requests were processed for<br />
obtaining import permits to import various plant material, DNA and seed germplasm. Among these,<br />
five import requests were processed through Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine and Storage<br />
(DPPQS), Faridabad to import leaves/stem/grain/stover/straw samples of Tef, Sorghum, Maize, Sweet<br />
sorghum, Rice and cowpea from Ethiopia (1000 samples), Zimbabwe (230 samples) and Nigeria (570<br />
samples) whereas 21 import requests were processed through NBPGR to import DNA samples<br />
(Common Bean 92 samples and Maize 896 samples) and seed germplasm (523 samples including<br />
foxtail millet) from 14 countries.<br />
Imports Released: NBPGR, Hyderabad released 1123 germplasm samples consisting of 502 DNA<br />
samples of sorghum, pearl millet and bean from Germany and Bulgaria; and 621 samples of seed<br />
germplasm of different crops, sorghum- 232, pearl millet-261, chickpea-81, cowpea-45 and maize-2<br />
from Mali, Niger, USA & Syria, USA and Ghana, respectively.<br />
We also facilitated the import of 4 consignments containing 1716 samples of wheat straw and cowpea<br />
for nutritional analysis from Pakistan (740), Nigeria (423), Bangladesh (133) and Nepal (420), which<br />
were received by ILRI and submitted to PQL for inspection & release. These consignments were<br />
released after fumigation. These samples were imported under the special import permissions granted<br />
by DPPQS, Faridabad.<br />
81
Grow out test for detection of exotic pests:<br />
Material in Isolation area (RCW 18). Four inspections were carried out for 179 tomato accessions<br />
imported from Taiwan and grown at RCW fields. Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans was<br />
noticed in some plants. Infected plants were rouged out and incinerated.<br />
Material in PEQIA<br />
Groundnut: 185 accessions from USA were tested. Crop was found healthy during 5 visits in the<br />
growth period. Random plants were detected for the bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) and all the<br />
accessions were found free from the pathogen. During harvest, pods were inspected and healthy pods<br />
were released, whereas pods infested with peanut bruchid beetle (Caryedon Serratus) and infected with<br />
Aspergillus spp. and Sclerotium sp. were destroyed. Suspected plants to bacterial wilt infection of the<br />
two accessions EC 655712 and 655661 were tested for ooze test and were found free from the<br />
bacterium.<br />
Sorghum: Six inspections were arranged during crop growth period on 106 accessions of USA and<br />
leaf blight was recorded in 10 accessions (EC 635897, -635910, -635911, -635913, -635916, -635917,-<br />
635924, -635925, -635929, -635945) and all infected plants were rouged-out and incinerated.<br />
Chickpea 39 accessions from Australia and 208 accessions from USA were imported. In these<br />
consignments, during the last sowings in post entry isolation area, very less seed was harvested, hence<br />
original seeds of these consignments was re-sown in greenhouse; crop was inspected twice and found<br />
healthy.<br />
A total of 640 exotic germplasm of sorghum (374- from Mali, USA, France and Kenya), pearl millet<br />
(from Niger -261 samples) and finger millet (from Kenya-05 samples) were planted recently in PEQIA<br />
for screening for exotic pest/pathogen. One hundred forty of the 210 accessions imported from France,<br />
which did not flower during 2005, were planted again this year.<br />
RP Thakur, R Sharma, HD Upadhyaya and NBPGR<br />
Output 2.2: Germplasm of six small millets assembled and conserved germplasm characterized/<br />
evaluated and documented for utilization and knowledge shared with partners<br />
<strong>2010</strong> 2.2.2<br />
Output target 2.2.2: Germplasm of six small millets conserved with 50% of germplasm<br />
characterized/evaluated for desirable traits and documented for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Characterize new germplasm/data missing accessions of six small millets for morphoagronomic<br />
traits<br />
Milestone 2.2.2.1: Germplasm of six small millets conserved and characterized/evaluated for desirable<br />
traits and documented for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> has the global responsibility to conserve the germplasm of six small (Finger-, Foxtail, Little-,<br />
Kodo-, Proso-, and Barnyard millet) millets. Geographic and taxonomic gaps were identified in<br />
passport databases of small millets and unique accessions were identified and assembled.<br />
We assembled 28 unique finger millet accessions from the All India Coordinated Small Millets<br />
Improvement Project, ICAR, India to fill gaps in the collection. The Global Crops Diversity Trust<br />
(GCDT) in collaboration with NARS have identified 2,314 accessions of important national finger<br />
millet collections for regeneration and safety duplication at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru genebank over a<br />
period of five years. Out of this, 585 accessions will be directly coming to Patancheru and 1,729<br />
accessions of the national collections from Africa proposed for conservation at the regional genebanks<br />
82
and for safety duplication at Patancheru. These include 1,714 accessions from Nairobi and 15<br />
accessions from Bulawayo.<br />
We assembled 42 new small millets germplasm accessions of finger millet (8 accessions), foxtail millet<br />
(7), proso millet (7), little millet (7), kodo millet (7), and barnyard millet (6 accessions)from Tamil<br />
Nadu, India for conservation and utilization in crop improvement programs. Identified priority areas for<br />
small millets germplasm collection which includes Asia (Bangladesh, China, India, Japan and Korea),<br />
central Africa (Chad), eastern Africa (Rwanda, Tanzania and Zaire), southern Africa (Angola and<br />
Mozambique), and west Africa (Cote d’ Ivoire).<br />
Evaluated finger millet and foxtail millet mini core collections in multilocation ά designed trials with 2<br />
replications for agronomic and quality traits and biotic and abiotic stresses during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season<br />
under BMZ/GTZ collaborative project. Recording of observations is in progress. Analyzed the<br />
multilocation evaluation data of mini core collections of finger millet and foxtail millet trials conducted<br />
during 2009 rainy season and identified trait specific accessions for early flowering (10 accessions) and<br />
high grain yield (8 accessions) in finger millet. IE 196, IE 501, IE 588, IE 2093, IE 2293, IE 2322, IE<br />
3104, IE 4734, IE 4759 and IE 5736 (
<strong>2010</strong> 2.2.1<br />
Output target 2.2.3: Databases of small millets germplasm updated for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Update germplasm databases of small millets<br />
Output target 2.2.4: Germplasm accessions regenerated for conservation and distribution (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Regenerate critical accessions of small millets germplasm<br />
Milestone 2.2.4.1: Germplasm accessions of small millets with limited seed stock/viability regenerated<br />
and seed samples processed to for medium- and long-term conservation (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Regeneration and seed processing for conservation are the critical activities to maintain purity and<br />
integrity of germplasm. Germplasm accessions with low seed stocks and poor viability are regularly<br />
regenerated to update the seed sock with pure, viable and healthy seeds. Germplasm accessions with<br />
low seed stock and poor viability were identified and regenerated and verified for genetic integrity and<br />
tested for moisture content and seed health and processed to active and base collection.<br />
The regenerated germplasm totaling 1,019 accessions from 2009 rainy season was processed for<br />
medium-term storage as active collection/working collection (finger millet – 165 and foxtail millet -<br />
219) to meet immediate user needs and for safety back up storage (finger millet - 360 and foxtail millet<br />
- 275). During <strong>2010</strong> rainy season we planted a total of 509 accessions for seed increase. This includes<br />
finger millet (160), foxtail millet (155), proso millet (106), and barnyard millet (88) for conservation as<br />
active collection and for safety back-up at Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Plant stand was good to secure<br />
sufficient seed stocks in these accessions.<br />
We processed a total of 1, 019 accessions of finger millet and foxtail millet germplasm to add to active<br />
and base collection. Additionally 509 accessions of finger millet, foxtail millet, proso millet, and<br />
barnyard millet were regenerated during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
CLL Gowda and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.2.4.2: Seed viability and health of new and regenerated small millets germplasm tested and<br />
viability of conserved germplasm monitored (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Maintaining purity and viability is a critical activity of genebank management and require regular<br />
monitoring of seed health and viability in active and base collections. Similarly it is required while<br />
updating the seed stocks with freshly regenerated seeds. Accessions with low seed stock and poor<br />
viability identified, regenerated and tested for moisture content, seed health and viability. Similarly<br />
plant health was monitored during regeneration in field.<br />
Viability testing: The seed viability of 480 accessions was tested during this period. This included 315<br />
accessions of finger millet and 165 accessions of foxtail millet regenerated during 2009 rainy season<br />
for medium-term storage and safety back up at Svalbard.<br />
84
Plant health monitoring during regeneration: During the rainy season <strong>2010</strong>, a total of 509 genebank<br />
germplasm accessions of small millets (finger millet 160, barnyard millet 88, proso millet 106 and<br />
foxtail millet 155) were inspected in the field during active growth period for assessing their health<br />
status. All barnyard and proso millet accessions were found free from quarantine significant pests<br />
whereas three accessions in foxtail millet were found infected with Exserohilum turcicum, leaf blight<br />
pathogen. In finger millet, 40 accessions were found infected with Pyricularia grisea. The infected<br />
plants were rouged out and incinerated and two prophylactic sprays were arranged with carbendazim @<br />
0.2% at weekly interval to avoid the spread of the disease.<br />
RP Thakur, R Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.2.4.3: Small millets germplasm processed for safety back up (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
We deposited 1,000 seed samples of in-trust small millets germplasm at the Svalbard Global Seed<br />
Vault as part of the Agreement between <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and the Nordic Genetic Resources Center, Norway.<br />
Identified the accessions and regenerated the seeds of identified small millet accessions for safety back<br />
up at Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Tested seed health and viability and obtained certification from<br />
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in India and processed for safety back up.<br />
As part of this agreement we have deposited 1,000 seed samples of in-trust small millets germplasm at<br />
the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Norway following standard protocols of seed health testing and<br />
certification by National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) in India. An additional 100<br />
accessions from this set were also sent for germination monitoring in due course of time. The passport<br />
and conservation data on these accessions was successfully uploaded to the public data portal at<br />
www.nordgen.org/sgsv. With these depositions the total number of duplicate samples of <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
germplasm of small millets at the seed vault increased to 7,400 representing finger millet (4,400),<br />
foxtail millet (1,000), proso millet (600), little millet (400), kodo millet (500) and barnyard millet (500).<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
Milestone 2.2.5 : Finger millet collection gaps filled in Tanzania and Kenya and germplasm shared<br />
according to agreed country germplasm sharing regulation (<strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Southern Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania:<br />
Partners Invovled:<br />
KARI-Kenya, NARO-Uganda, DRD-Tanzania<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Finger millet collection database were acquired, collections mapped and collection gaps identified.<br />
Based on this information and in collaboration with national curators, collection missions were<br />
conducted in the respective countries except for Kenya, where no collection gaps were identified. In<br />
Tanzania, collection targeted the southern part of the country: Sumbawanga, Nkasi and Mbozi districts;<br />
a major millet growing area, but where little is known on its production. Ugandan collection targeted<br />
all major growing areas (Soroti, Kumi, Serere, Apac, Lira, Hoima and Masindi districts). A total of 37<br />
and 92 samples were collected from Tanzania and Uganda respectively. Unique finger millet<br />
accessions have been collected from Uganda and Tanzania. Germplasm is being multiplied in<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Kiboko to provide seed for characterization in the future years.<br />
85
Special project funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
Mary Mgonja , Henry Ojulong,<br />
E Manyasa P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
2011 2.2.1<br />
Output target 2.2.5: Germplasm of small millets supplied on request (2011)<br />
Activity: Assure risk-free export and import of small millets germplasm materials<br />
Milestone 2.2.5.1: Requested germplasm of small millets distributed to bona fide users for utilization<br />
(Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
To meet the seed request of small millet germplasm for research use we distributed 1,011 samples<br />
following standard protocols and obtaining SMTA in 20 consignments for research use in three<br />
countries. This includes finger millet (274), foxtail millet (687) and barnyard millet (50). The<br />
distribution include four sets of foxtail millet core collection, one set each of finger millet and foxtail<br />
millet mini core collection and 4 sets of part of finger millet mini core collection. Additionally, 307<br />
germplasm samples representing finger millet (149) and foxtail millet (158) were supplied to scientists<br />
within the institute. The supply included one set of foxtail millet core collection.<br />
RP Thakur, HD Upadhyaya, CLL Gowda and NBPGR<br />
Milestone 2.2.5.2: Requested germplasm of small millets exported for utilization and new germplasm<br />
imported for conservation after seed health evaluation and clearance through NBPGR (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Exported the seed samples of small millets germplasm to meet the seed request of scientists from<br />
overseas and imported the germplasm for updating the gaps in assembly of our germplasm collections.<br />
Seed samples were exported and imported through NBPGR, New Delhi, India.<br />
A total of 122 small millets samples were processed for phytosanitary measures through NBPGR<br />
Hyderabad and exported to two countries along with two phytosanitary certificates. These included 39<br />
foxtail millet samples to China and 83 finger millet samples to Thailand.<br />
Two import permits were processed and NBPGR issued two import permits to import 51 samples from<br />
China, these samples have been received at NBPGR and were under quarantine clearance.<br />
RP Thakur, R Sharma, HD Upadhyaya and NBPGR<br />
86
Output 2.3: Core, and mini-core collections and trait specific germplasm identified and evaluated<br />
and composite collections and reference sets developed and genotyped for utilization and new<br />
knowledge shared with partners<br />
Output target 2.3.1: Core and mini core collections of germplasm established for utilization<br />
(<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Establish core and mini core collections of staple crops and small millets<br />
Milestone 2.3.1.4: Mini core collection of pearl millet germplasm established for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The large collection of germplasm in genebanks coupled with limited information on traits of economic<br />
importance has resulted in very limited usage of germplasm by crop breeders and thus contributing to a<br />
narrow genetic base in many crops. The concept of core collection (about 10% of the entire collection)<br />
was visualized to enhance the utilization of germplasm in breeding programs. Precise evaluation using<br />
multi-locations and replications of this core for economic traits which show high genotype ×<br />
environment interaction would be resources intensive. To overcome this, development of mini core<br />
collection in crops having large number of accessions has been suggested. The pearl millet mini core<br />
collection comprising of 238 accessions was constituted by using data on 10 morphological and 8<br />
agronomic traits of 2094 core collection accessions. The hierarchical cluster analysis of data using<br />
phenotypic distance matrix was performed. A proportional sampling strategy with 10% or a minimum<br />
of one accession from each cluster was used to form the mini core collection.<br />
Pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.] exhibits enormous genetic diversity in the global<br />
germplasm collection. The pearl millet core collection (~10% of the entire collection), with 2094<br />
accessions, is still large for precise evaluation to identify parents for a genetic improvement program. A<br />
mini core collection of pearl millet comprising 238 accessions was constituted by using data on 10<br />
qualitative and 8 quantitative traits of 2094 core collection accessions. The hierarchical cluster analysis<br />
of data using a phenotypic distance matrix resulted in 136 clusters. A proportional sampling strategy<br />
with 10% or a minimum of one accession from each cluster was used to form the mini core collection.<br />
The comparison of data in the mini core and core collections using various statistical parameters, such<br />
as homogeneity of distribution for geographical origin and frequency classes of qualitative traits,<br />
means, median, within and between-accession variances, diversity index, and phenotypic correlations,<br />
indicated that almost the entire genetic variation present in the core collection was captured in the mini<br />
core collection. The possible impact of high between- and within-accession variability in pearl millet<br />
on maintenance of genebank accessions is discussed. With its greatly reduced size, the pearl millet mini<br />
core collection can be used for precise evaluation of traits of agronomic importance and biotic and<br />
abiotic stresses as well as mapping with molecular markers for identification of trait-specific<br />
germplasm and discovery of new genes.<br />
The pearl millet mini core collection is a subset of the core, consisting about 10% of the core collection<br />
or 1% of the entire collection and representing its diversity. The pearl millet mini core collection that is<br />
representative of the diversity of the pearl millet core and entire collection will enhance the use of pearl<br />
millet germplasm in breeding programs, molecular studies and discovery of new genes. A journal<br />
article has been accepted for publication in Crop Science (51:217-223)<br />
HD Upadhyaya and CLL Gowda<br />
87
<strong>2010</strong> 2.3.1<br />
Output target 2.3.3: New reference sets of chickpea, groundnut, pigeonpea and sorghum<br />
germplasm (300 accessions each) established and evaluated for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Genotype composite collections for studying diversity and population structure and<br />
developing reference sets of staple crops<br />
Output target 2.3.4: Core, mini core, and or reference sets of germplasm evaluated for utilization<br />
in Asia (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Evaluate core/mini core/reference sets of staple crops and small millets for agronomic traits<br />
Milestone 2.3.4.3: Reference set of sorghum phenotyped for agronomic traits (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Drought is one of the most important abiotic constraints to crop productivity worldwide. Sorghum<br />
reference set was evaluated to identify genetically diverse high yielding drought tolerant sorghum<br />
germplasm in a split plot design with irrigation and rainfed two main plots and three replications.<br />
Sorghum reference set consisting of 384 genetically most diverse accessions was characterized under<br />
well watered (WW) and post flowering water stress (WS) conditions and quality traits<br />
Sorghum reference set characterized under well watered (WW) and post flowering water stress (WS)<br />
conditions showed variability for seed micronutrient contents, Fe and Zn. Four accessions ISs 18879,<br />
18821, 14259, and 3957 had high content of both Fe and Zn both under WW and WS conditions. The<br />
correlation studies showed positive correlation between Fe and Zn content under both WW and WS<br />
conditions across all the groups as well as in the entire set. However, Fe and Zn content were<br />
negatively correlated with yield under both the conditions across all the groups and in the entire set.<br />
The accessions also showed a large range of variation for SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR)<br />
both at flowering and 30 days after flowering (DAF) under WW and WS conditions. Under WW, six<br />
accessions ISs 2398, 29375, 13989, 452 (484) 510, 19262 and 22287 had high SCMR both at flowering<br />
and 30 DAF. Under WS, seven lines ISs 29496, 393 (411) 659, 303, 2398, 22506, 14276, and 29472<br />
had high SCMR both at flowering and 30 DAF. Only one line IS 2398 had shown higher SCMR both<br />
at flowering and 30 DAF both under WW and WS conditions. A large range of variation was observed<br />
for transpiration efficiency under WW and WS conditions. Promising accessions based upon stay-green<br />
character, chlorophyll content, transpiration efficiency and rate of water loss per unit of leaf area under<br />
terminal drought conditions have been identified for multilocational evaluation for stover/grain yield<br />
and component traits.<br />
Sorghum reference set accessions showed large range variation for phenological traits, which is<br />
probably associated due to differences in temperature and photoperiod across diverse test<br />
environments. Large range variations were also observed for SCMR at flowering and 30 days after<br />
flowering (DAF) under well watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions.<br />
HD Upadhyaya, Shivali Sharma, CLL Gowda,<br />
CT Hash and V Vadez<br />
Performance of germplasm accessions: The efforts on sweet sorghum genetic enhancement for<br />
specific traits like brix% and biomass have started recently. It is critical to identify new sources for<br />
traits like high brix%, juiciness, biomass, photo-insensitivity to improve productivity of sweet<br />
sorghum. As sweet sorghum distillery was established in Nanded, Maharastra, India and it is a partner<br />
in IFAD-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> biofuels project, the accessions collected from that region are also screened for<br />
sugar yield and allied traits.<br />
88
Sweet sorghum germplasm accessions trial-1 (SSGAT-1): A total of 82 germplasm accessions<br />
selected from the sweet sorghum germplasm accessions screening trial conducted during 2008<br />
postrainy season, were evaluated as a trial during in 2009 postrainy season along with the two<br />
controls viz., SSV 84 and CSH 22 SS in RCBD with three replications. The sugar yield ranged from<br />
0.08 to 2.06 t ha -1 (SSV 84: 1.21 t ha -1 ). The following seven germplasm accessions viz., IS 79 (2.06 t<br />
ha-1), IS 70 (1.89 t ha-1), IS 67 (1.66 t ha -1 ), IS 1126 (1.64 t ha -1 ), IS 58(1.63 t ha -1 ), IS 95(1.56 t ha -<br />
1 ), IS 105 (1.53 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior to the best performing control SSV 84 (1.21 t ha -1 ).<br />
Among the entries, days to 50 % flowering ranged from 53 to 82 days (SSV 84: 62 days). plant<br />
height ranged from 1.2 to 3.1 m (SSV 84: 2.2 m) and brix % varied between 6.3% and 16.5 % (SSV<br />
84: 13.33 %) and grain yield ranged from 0.2 t ha -1 to 4.3 t ha -1 (SSV 84 : 2.6 t ha -1 ).<br />
Sweet sorghum germplasm accessions trial-2 (SSGAT-2): A total of 256 germplasm accessions<br />
imported from China were evaluated during in 2009 postrainy season along with the two controls viz.,<br />
SSV 84 and CSH 22 SS, in RCBD with two replications. The sugar yield ranged from 0.08 t ha -1 to<br />
1.34 t ha -1 (SSV 84: 0.54 t ha -1 ). One accession, i.e., IS 30383(1.34 t ha- 1 ) was numerically superior to<br />
the best performing control (ICSV 93046:1.33 t ha -1 ) and the stalk yield ranged from 0.7 to 22.8 t ha -1<br />
(CSH 22SS:13.4 t ha -1 ). Among the screened accessions, days to 50%flowering ranged from 62 to 91<br />
days (ICSV 93046: 90 days); brix % varied from 7.6 to 21.6 % (ICSV 93046: 17.0 %); plant height<br />
ranged from 0.8 to 2.4 m (ICSV 93046: 2.3 m) and the grain yield ranged from 0.1 t ha -1 to 7.3 t ha -1<br />
(ICSV 93046: 0.7 t ha -1 ).<br />
Sweet sorghum germplasm accessions trial-3 (SSGAT-3): A total of 256 germplasm accessions<br />
imported from China were evaluated during in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season along with the two controls viz., SSV<br />
84 and CSH 22 SS, in RCBD with two replications. The sugar yield among the all germplasm lines<br />
four genotypes viz., IS 41112 (0.9 t ha -1 ), IS 40942 (0.9 t ha -1 ), SP 4487-3 (0.8 t ha -1 ) and IS 41056 (0.8<br />
t ha -1 ) performed superior in sugar yields compared to the best performing control SSV 84 (0.76 t ha -1 ).<br />
Stalk yield ranged from 5.2 to 36.4 t ha -1 (SSV 84: 29.7 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering ranged from<br />
53 to 101 days (CSH 22SS: 80 days). Brix% ranged from 5.8% to 15.8% (SSV 84: 14.0%), while the<br />
plant height ranged from 0.6 m to 3.2m (CSH 22SS: 2.4m).<br />
Sweet sorghum photo-insensitive lines trial-1 (SSPILT-1): A total of 127 germplasm accessions<br />
and 11 B-lines, having similar degree days to 50% flowering in rainy and postrainy seasons obtained<br />
from Generation Challenge Program were evaluated during in 2009 post rainy season along with the<br />
three control cultivars, SS 2016, S 35 and SPV 1411 in RCBD with three replications. The sugar<br />
yield ranged from 0.02 t ha -1 to 0.97 t ha -1 (SS 2016: 0.57 t ha -1 ). Three germplasm accessions viz., IS<br />
22282 (0.97 t ha -1 ), IS 22332 (0.62 t ha -1 ) and IS 11758 (0.61 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior to the<br />
best performing control (SS 2016: 0.57 t ha -1 ) for sugar yield. Among all the genotypes, days to 50 %<br />
flowering ranged from 57 to 142 days; stalk yield ranged from 0.8 to 13.6 t ha -1 (SS 2016: 10.4 t ha -1 ); Brix<br />
% varied from 5.5% to 18.5 % (SS 2016: 11.2% ); and grain yield ranged from 0.1 t ha -1 to 9.7 t ha -1<br />
(SS 2016: 1.36 t ha -1 ).<br />
Sweet sorghum photo-insensitive trial -2 (SSPILT-2): A total of 142 germplasm accessions and 11<br />
B-lines having similar degree days to 50% flowering in rainy and postrainy seasons obtained from<br />
Generation Challenge Program (GCP); 15 lines imported from USDA were evaluated during in 2009<br />
post rainy season along with the three controls, SS 2016, S 35 and SPV 1411 in RCBD with three<br />
replications. The sugar yield in the following four accessions viz. IS 16545 (0.9 t ha -1 ); IS10234 (0.8 t<br />
ha -1 ); IS 4112 (0.5 t ha -1 ); IS 20700 (0.5 t ha -1 ) was superior to the best performing control SPV 1411<br />
(0.49 t ha -1 ). Stalk yield ranged from 2.1 to 96.8 t ha -1 (SPV 1411: 21.5 t ha -1 ). There was wide range of<br />
variation in days to 50% flowering ranging from 58 to 103 days (S35: 69 days). IS 30385 flowered<br />
earliest with 58 days. Brix% ranged from 1.9- 31.6% (SPV 1411: 16.8%), while the plant height ranged<br />
from 0.4 m to 2.9m (SPV 1411: 2.1m).<br />
Sweet sorghum landrace selections trial (SSLST): A land race selections trial was constituted using<br />
22 superior land races selected previously, were evaluated in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, along with two<br />
controls viz., Urja and RSSV 9 in RCBD with three replications. Nine accessions viz., IS 23537 (1.3 t<br />
ha -1 ), IS 23560 (1.3 t ha -1 ), IS 23562 (1.3 t ha -1 ), IS 23574 (1.2 t ha -1 ), IS 23519 (1.1 t ha -1 ), IS 23558<br />
(1.1 t ha -1 ), IS 23525 (1.0 t ha -1 ), IS 41461 (1.0 t ha -1 ) and IS 23528 (1.0 t ha -1 ) were superior for sugar<br />
yield compared to the best performing control RSSV 9 (0.9 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering, among<br />
the entries ranged from 71 to 93 (Urja: 76 days). Among the land races IS 41401 was the earliest to<br />
89
flower with 71 days. The Brix% ranged from 11.3% to 18.0% (Urja: 18.0%), while plant height ranged<br />
from 2.3 m to 4.2 m (RSSV 9: 3.7 m).<br />
Sweet sorghum Ch lines trial (SSCAT): A total of 32 Ch lines selected previously, were evaluated in<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season, along with controls viz., Urja and SPSV 30 in RCBD with two replications. Among<br />
the tested entries, sugar yield ranged from 0.2 t ha -1 to 1.8 t ha -1 (SPSV 30: 1.8 t ha -1 ). The days to 50%<br />
flowering ranged from 67 to 95 days (Urja: 77 days); stalk yield ranged from 7.4 t ha -1 to 29.1 t ha -1<br />
(SPSV 30: 29.0 t ha -1 ); Brix% varied from 10.8 to 18.1% (SPSV 30: 18.1%) and plant height ranged<br />
from 0.6 m to 2.3m (Urja: 2.4m).<br />
Sorghum reference set trial (SRCT): A total of 142 germplasm accessions flowering in the range of<br />
60-100 days were selected from the reference set and screened for sugar yield and biomass along with<br />
five controls viz., CSH 22SS, Urja, JK Recova, RSSV9 and SSV 84 in RCBD with two replications.<br />
Among the screened germplasm accessions, two lines viz., IS 27599 (1.04 t ha -1 ), IS 10876 (0.90 t ha -1 )<br />
were superior to the best performing control Urja (0.76 t ha -1 ) for sugar yield. A wide range of variation<br />
was observed in days to 50% flowering (51 to 87 days). The germplasm accession IS 30441 was<br />
earliest to flower in 51 days. The stalk yield ranged from 4.3 t ha -1 to 58.0 t ha -1 (CSH 22 SS: 58.0 t ha -1 ). The<br />
Brix% ranged from 7.0 to 18.0 %. (Urja: 18.0%). The same trial is being repeated in postrainy season<br />
<strong>2010</strong> to select the best adapted lines for post rainy season.<br />
Sorghum germplasm accessions (PJ and NJ series) trial: The commercial sweet sorghum distillery<br />
i.e. Tata Chemicals Limited (TCL) is located in Nanded, Maharastra, India. In view of the well<br />
documented high GxE in sweet sorghum, it is thought to better screen germplasm accessions collected<br />
from that region. Hence, 70 germplasm accessions collected from that region were taken from the<br />
genebank and were screened for sugar yield and biomass along with five controls viz.,Urja, RSSV 9,<br />
CSH 22SS, JK Recova and SSV 84 during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, in RCBD with two replications. Among<br />
all the screened germplasm accessions, fifty entries were superior to the best performing control Urja<br />
(0.6 t ha -1 ) for sugar yield. The highest sugar yield was recorded by IS 18371 (1.3 t ha -1 ) followed by<br />
18360 (1.2 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering ranged between 60 and 89 days. The stalk yield ranged<br />
from 4.7 to 46.9 t ha -1 and 35 entries showed higher stalk yields to the best control JK Recova (23.5 t<br />
ha -1 ). The Brix% ranged from 6.5 to 15.0%. The same trial is being repeated in post rainy season, <strong>2010</strong><br />
to identify post rainy season adapted accessions.<br />
The best performed germplasm accessions identified based on high Brix%, high sugar yield and<br />
biomass will be used in the crossing program to develop improved sweet sorghum cultivars.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
1.<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-IFAD Biofuels Project: “Linking the poor to global markets: Pro-poor development of<br />
biofuel Supply chains” funded by International Fund for Agricultural Development.<br />
2. SWEETFUEL: Sweet sorghum- an alternative bioenergy crop<br />
P Srinivasa Rao and BVS Reddy<br />
Evaluation of the full sorghum reference set for stay-green and chlorophyll content under<br />
terminal drought condition<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania<br />
Partners Invovled:<br />
KAR Kenya, DRD-Tanzania<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Data on days to 50% flowering from the 2008/9 short rains was used to group the 390 Sorghum<br />
reference set lines from India. Seven distinctive groups; each with 10 day interval were obtained, group<br />
six (92-101 days after flowering) was discarded because it had very few entries. The trial was planted<br />
on 19 th June <strong>2010</strong> as single row plots of 3 m length with 2 replications and inter-row spacing of 0.75m<br />
in an augmented design with an average of two controls per group. Irrigation was stopped at 20 days to<br />
90
median of 50% flowering of each group. Days to 50% flowering ranged from an average of 67 in group<br />
1 to 96 in group 7. Short duration plants (group 1) were shorter than the longer duration genotypes<br />
(group 7), while the opposite was true for panicle exertion. Short duration genotypes had more basal<br />
and nodal tillers than the long duration genotypes. For flag leaf characteristics (flag leaf length and<br />
width), short duration genotypes had lower values compared to the long duration genotypes. At flag<br />
leaf initiation, short duration genotypes had fewer green leaves than the long duration. Groups were<br />
significantly different (P
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Indian Institute of Pulses Research - India; Institute of Agricultural Research - Ethiopia; Kenya<br />
Agricultural Research Institute - Kenya<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Evaluation of pigeonpea germplasm for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera: We evaluated<br />
146 pigeonpea mini core germplasm accessions for resistance to H. armigera along with resistant and<br />
susceptible controls under field conditions using three replications in a randomized complete block<br />
design. Data were recorded on pod borer damage and recovery, resistance on a 1 to 9 rating scale (1 =<br />
80% pods<br />
damaged and pods present only on a few branches), and grain yield. The genotypes ICP 7, ICP 655,<br />
ICP 772, ICP 1071, ICP 3046, ICP 4575, ICP 6128, ICP 8860, ICP 12142, ICP 14471, and ICP 14701<br />
exhibited moderate levels of resistance (damage rating 5.0 as compared to 9.0 in ICPL 87) to pod<br />
borer, H. armigera and these lines also showed good yield potential (> 0.85-1.54 t ha -1 ) under<br />
unprotected conditions, and also had no wilt incidence as compared to 38.2% wilt in ICP 8266.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
ISOPOM project on Helicoverpa resistance- ICAR, Tropical Legumes 1- Gates Foundation<br />
HC Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.1: Mini core collection of pigeonpea germplasm evaluated for resistance to wilt and<br />
sterility mosaic diseases under controlled environment. (2009).<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Reconfirmation of pigeonpea mini-core collections for resistance to wilt and SMD:<br />
To reconfirm resistance to Fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease (SMD) in the five<br />
pigeonpea mini-core collections (ICPs 6739, 11015, 13304, 14976, 15049) identified as resistant to<br />
these diseases during 2009 season, they were revaluated to both the diseases under artificial epiphytotic<br />
conditions in field. One line (ICP 11015) was found resistant (0.1- 10% incidence) to both FW and<br />
SMD. For FW alone ICP 6739 remained asymptomatic (0% incidence). Similarly three lines (ICPs<br />
13304, 14976, 15049) were asymptomatic (0% incidence) to SMD. The susceptible controls for FW<br />
(ICP 2376) and SMD (ICP 8863) were highly susceptible (100% disease incidence).<br />
Suresh Pande, Mamta Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.3: Sorghum mini core collection evaluated for resistance to grain mold and<br />
anthracnose) (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Grain mold and anthracnose are important biotic constraints to grain sorghum production worldwide<br />
92
and are best managed through host plant resistance. A sorghum mini core collection composed of 242<br />
germplasm accessions developed from a core collection of 2246 landrace accessions from 58 countries<br />
was screened to identify sources of grain mold and downy mildew resistance.<br />
Resistance to grain mold: Of 242 sorghum mini core accessions grown for evaluation of grain mold<br />
resistance in 2007 only 140 flowered for which grain mold scoring was done. The same set of 140<br />
accessions and one resistant (IS 8545) and 3 susceptible (SPV 104, Bulk Y and H 112) controls were<br />
screened for resistance to grain mold in the 2008 rainy season in grain mold nursery.<br />
Based on mean grain mold severity for the two years (2007-08), 53 accessions were resistant (grain<br />
mold severity ≤10%), 32 moderately resistant (mold severity 11 to 30%), 25 susceptible (mold severity<br />
31 to 50%) and 30 highly susceptible (mold severity >50%) compared to 83 to 88% severity in<br />
susceptible controls SPV 104 and Bulk Y, respectively, and 2% severity in resistant control IS 8545.<br />
Fifty accessions were found resistant in both the seasons indicating stable resistance in these accessions<br />
for grain mold.<br />
Resistance to Anthracnose: The mini core accessions (242) were evaluated in the 2009 and <strong>2010</strong><br />
rainy seasons for anthracnose resistance along with susceptible control H 112 in the anthracnose<br />
nursery. The accessions were whorl-inoculated with infested sorghum grain (grains colonized by<br />
Colletotrichum graminicola) 30 days after seedling emergence, and high humidity was maintained<br />
through overhead sprinklers twice a day on rain free days till physiological maturity of the grain. The<br />
anthracnose severity was recorded on 10 uniformly flowered plants at the soft dough stage using a<br />
progressive 1-9 scale where 1= no disease and 9 =76-100% leaf area covered with lesions.<br />
Based on mean anthracnose severity for two years, 10 accessions were found resistant (score≤3.0), 105<br />
moderately resistant (score 3.1 to 5.0), 72 susceptible (5.1 to 7.0) and 55 highly susceptible (>7.0)<br />
compared to 8.7 score in the susceptible control H112. Nine accessions (IS 473, -5301, -6354, -10302,<br />
-19153, -20956, -23521, -23684 and -30572) were resistant in both the years indicating stable<br />
resistance in these lines; therefore, these lines can be used in the breeding program to transfer<br />
anthracnose resistance in the elite hybrid parent lines.<br />
RP Thakur, Rajan Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone: Reference collection characterized for Helicoverpa resistance (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Analyzed the data of chickpea reference set evaluated for tolerance to Helicoverpa pod borer during<br />
2008-09 season. Identified ICC 20174, ICC 16903, ICC 14595, ICC 15518, ICC 8522, ICC 9590,<br />
ICC 9875, ICC 9712, ICC 9895, ICC 4182, ICC 15435 with low damage rating score (1.4 – 2.4),<br />
compared to the resistant control cultivar ICC 506 (2.6). Similarly identified ICC 7819, ICC 12537,<br />
ICC 6903, ICC 15435, ICC 13764, ICC 18828, ICC 9862, ICC 4533, ICC 14595, ICC 11498 with<br />
lower larval survival % (48.8-54.1%), compared to ICC 506 (56.8%). Three accessions (ICC 70826,<br />
ICC 16903, ICC 6293 had lower larvae weight (2.1-2.9 gm) compared to the control cultivar ICC 506 (3.1gm).<br />
HC Sharma, HD Upadhyaya and N Lalitha<br />
Milestone: Sorghum mini core collection evaluated for resistance to leaf blight and downy mildew<br />
(2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
93
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Resistance to downy mildew (Peronosclerospora sorghi): 242 mini core accessions were evaluated in<br />
a greenhouse along with a susceptible control (296 B) and a resistant control (QL 3) using a sandwich<br />
inoculation technique. Of the 242 accessions, 6 were resistant (≤10% incidence), 2 moderately resistant<br />
(11 to 20% incidence), 14 susceptible (21-30% incidence) and the remaining 220 highly susceptible<br />
compared to 100% incidence in the susceptible control (H 112) and 23% in the resistant control (QL 3).<br />
Among the resistant accessions, IS 28747 was free from downy mildew, two accessions (IS 31714 and<br />
IS 23992) recorded ≤5% downy mildew, while three (IS 27697, IS 28449 and IS 30400) had 6 to 10%<br />
incidence.<br />
Resistance to leaf blight: The mini core accessions were evaluated during 2009-10 post-rainy season<br />
in the leaf blight nursery. The accessions were whorl-inoculated with infested sorghum grain (grains<br />
colonized by Exserohilum turcicum) 30 days after seedling emergence, and high humidity was<br />
maintained through overhead sprinklers twice a day on rain free days till physiological maturity of the<br />
grain. The leaf blight severity was recorded on 10 uniformly flowered plants at the soft-dough stage<br />
using a progressive 1-9 scale. Of the 242 accessions, 90 were resistant (score ≤3.0), 109 moderately<br />
resistant (score 3.1 to 5.0), 38 susceptible (score 5.1 to 7.0) and 5 highly susceptible to leaf blight<br />
during 2009-10 screen. These mini core accessions are presently (<strong>2010</strong>-11 postrainy 2001-11 season)<br />
being reevaluated to confirm the resistance.<br />
RP Thakur, Rajan Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone: Pearl millet mini core collection evaluated for resistance to rust (2012)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Pearl millet mini core comprising 238 accessions was evaluated for rust resistance under natural<br />
conditions in the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season along with susceptible control ICMR 06222. The experiment was<br />
conducted in a RCBD with 2 replications; 1 row of 4 m length/replication. The disease severity was<br />
recorded at soft-dough stage using modified Cobb’s scale. None of the 238 accessions were free from<br />
rust. Nine of 238 accessions (IP -5964, -6057, -6113, -6517, -14599, -11943, -14787, -17396 and<br />
20577) were resistant with ≤10% severity; 64 accessions showed moderate level of resistance (11-<br />
30% severity), 138 accessions were susceptible (31-50%) and remaining 27 accessions showed high<br />
susceptibility to rust under natural infection. The mini core accessions are presently being reevaluated<br />
along with systematic susceptible controls in the rust nursery following artificial inoculation to confirm<br />
resistance in the mini core accessions to rust.<br />
RP Thakur, Rajan Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
2011 2.3.3<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.4: Pearl millet mini core collection evaluated for resistance to downy mildew (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
94
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Progress/Results: Downy mildew (DM) disease of pearl millet caused by Sclerospora graminicola<br />
(Sacc.) Schroet, is a major biotic constraint severely limiting the production and productivity of the<br />
crop. The most effective and reliable management of this disease can be achieved only through<br />
resistant cultivar. High level of DM resistance is pre-requisite for a cultivar to be released for<br />
commercial cultivation in India and elsewhere. Pearl millet germplasm collection, particularly the<br />
recently developed mini core set could provide some good sources of genetic resistance to this disease.<br />
Pearl millet mini core comprising of 238 accessions and three germplasm controls (IP3616, IP 17862<br />
and IP 22281) were reevaluated for downy mildew (DM) resistance in the DM sick plot using the<br />
infector-row system at Patancheru during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The lines were evaluated along with<br />
systematic susceptible controls 7042S and PMB 11571-2 planted after every 8 test rows. The<br />
experiment was conducted in a RCBD with 2 replications; 1 row of 4 m length/replication. High<br />
humidity (>90%RH) was maintained using overhead perfo irrigation for about 15 days after planting<br />
the test rows to facilitate disease development. Total number of plants and downy mildew infected<br />
plants per plot/entry were recorded at the pre-tillering stage (about 30 days after emergence) and at the<br />
soft-dough stage (about 60 days after emergence). The disease incidence data at the soft-dough stage<br />
was considered for comparison, as there was increase in incidence in some entries at the later stage. Of<br />
238 accessions, 15 (IP 5711, -5869, -6324, -8913, -9645, -9934, -11428, -11546, -11811, -12374, -<br />
14537, -15273, -17396, -20715, and -20955) were highly resistant with no DM, 113 were resistant with<br />
1-10% incidence, 83 were moderately resistant with 11-30% incidence, 27 were susceptible compared<br />
to 100% incidence in known susceptible controls. Results from both 2009 and <strong>2010</strong> seasons indicated<br />
that, 3 accessions (IP 9934, IP 11428 and IP 20715) were highly resistant with no DM across 2 years,<br />
122 were resistant with ≤10% incidence, 90 moderately resistant with 11-30% incidence, 15<br />
susceptible with 31-50% incidence and remaining 8 had >50% DM incidence across 2 years. The<br />
accessions found resistant in the field screen will be evaluated in the greenhouse against diverse<br />
pathotypes to identify genetically diverse DM resistant accessions for use in pearl millet DM resistance<br />
breeding program.<br />
RP Thakur, Rajan Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.6: Foxtail millet core collection evaluated for agronomic traits in India (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Our objective was to enhance rural livelihoods and household food and nutritional security in the<br />
foxtail millet growing regions of India through cultivation of adapted, high yielding cultivars. Foxtail<br />
mini core collection (155 accessions) and five control cultivars were evaluated in alpha design at 10<br />
locations in India.<br />
Multilocation evaluation of 155 accessions of the foxtail millet core collection in different geographical<br />
areas of India, during 2008 rainy season, revealed highly significant genetic and gxe interaction<br />
variances for all the 11 quantitative traits studied such as days to 50% flowering (DF), plant height<br />
(PH), number of basal tillers (BT), flag leaf blade length (FLBL) and width (FLBW), flag leaf sheath<br />
length (FLSL), peduncle length (PEDL), panicle exertion (EXSER), inflorescence length (INFL) and<br />
width (INFW), and panicle weight (PANW). The PC analysis revealed that DF, PH, FLBL, FLSL and<br />
INFL (PC1 group), followed by PEDL and EXSER (PC2 group) were the traits most sensitive to<br />
varying environments. They also showed significant correlation among themselves. Stability analysis<br />
for each trait indicated that these have weak stability while BT and PANW were more stable indicating<br />
that selection in stress environments should be based on yield components. Promising genotypes for<br />
95
high grain yield and wider adaptability (ISe 710, 969, 1820, 49, 388, 842, 1888, 364, 90 and 1767);<br />
salinity (ISe 254, 869, 1888, 1851 and 96) and drought tolerance (ISe 289, 1892, 1474, 1302 and<br />
1108), high grain protein (ISe 1312, 1227 1789 and 1254), Ca (ISe 1227 and 1286), Fe (ISe 1151 and<br />
1286) and Zn (ISe 1286) were identified.<br />
Enhanced cultivation of the superior and diverse foxtail millet germplasm by farmers will increase<br />
productivity, availability of nutritionally rich food, and marketing opportunities, and contribute to insitu<br />
conservation of foxtail millet germplasm in India<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
BMZ/GTZ project on finger millet and foxtail millet.<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Patancheru: HD Upadhyaya, Naresh Dronavalli, CLL Gowda;<br />
Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar, India:<br />
NDRK Sharma, Y Narasimhudu and PRK Raju;<br />
University of Agricultural Sciences, Mandya, India:<br />
CR Ravishankar; Rajendra Agricultural University,<br />
Dholi, India: SK Varshney and SK Singh<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.7: Finger millet core collection evaluated for resistance to blast disease (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Nandyal; Agricultural Research Station (ARS),<br />
Vizianagaram; AICRP on Small millet, Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), Mandya<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
During the past 3 years, considerable progress has been made in establishing the pure cultures of the<br />
pathogen Magnaporthe grisea fm strain, developing field and greenhouse screening techniques and<br />
screening and identifying some accessions resistant to neck and finger blast described below.<br />
Finger millet core collection comprising 622 germplasm accessions was planted in 1 row of 2m/plot in<br />
two replications in RCBD. Systemic susceptible controls (VL 149, VR 708, RAU 8 and PR 202) were<br />
planted on every 5 th row alternatively. Plants were thinned to 20 plants/row 15 days after planting and<br />
other agronomic practices were followed as per local practices. Plants were spray-inoculated at preflowering<br />
stage with an aqueous conidial suspension (1×10 5 spores ml -1 ) of M. grisea fm-strain grown<br />
on oat-meal agar medium at 28 o C for 7 days. High humidity was provided by perfo-irrigation twice a<br />
day on rain-free days, 30 min each in the morning and evening hours to facilitate the disease<br />
development.<br />
Leaf blast was recorded using a progressive 1-9 scale, where 1= no infection and 9=>75% leaf area<br />
infected with typical lesions of blast. Neck blast incidence was recorded at the dough-stage using a 1-5<br />
scale, where 1= pinhead size lesions, 2= 1.0-2.0cm, 3= 2.1-3.0cm, 4= 4.1-6.0cm, 5= >6.0 cm lesions on<br />
the neck region. Finger blast severity (%) estimate was recorded across all panicles/all tillers in a row.<br />
Based on neck blast rating, the accessions were categorized in to: highly resistant (0-1.0), resistant (1.1-<br />
2.0), moderately resistant (2.1-3.0), susceptible (3.1-4.0) and highly susceptible (4.1-5.0). Similarly,<br />
based on finger blast severity (%), accessions were classified into: highly resistant (0-1.0%), resistant<br />
(2-10 %), moderately resistant (11-20%), susceptible (21-30%) and highly susceptible (>30%).<br />
Leaf blast resistance: Most of the lines were free from leaf blast and only a few lines recorded leaf<br />
blast with
Greenhouse evaluation of finger millet mini core for leaf blast resistance against Patancheru<br />
isolate: The greenhouse screening technique to evaluate finger millet for leaf blast resistance was<br />
developed. The screening involves: spray inoculation of 15-day-old potted seedlings with aqueous<br />
conidial suspension as mentioned above and incubating at 22±1°C with >95% RH and leaf wetness<br />
under 12 hr photoperiod for 7 days and recording foliar blast severity 8 th day after inoculation using a 1<br />
– 9 scale.<br />
Finger millet mini core comprising 80 accessions and 4 control lines were evaluated for leaf blast<br />
resistance in a greenhouse screen. Of the 80 accessions and four controls, 22 were found highly<br />
resistant, 43 resistant, 18 moderately resistant and one highly susceptible to leaf blast.<br />
Finger Millet Blast Stability Nursery (FMBRSN – <strong>2010</strong>):Finger millet germplasm accessions have<br />
been evaluated at several locations including Nandyal, Vizianagaram, Mandya, Nagenahalli and<br />
Patancheru in India during 2008 - 09 and some accessions exhibiting resistance to neck and finger blast<br />
have been identified. Some other lines have shown differential reactions at these locations indicating<br />
possible variability in the pathogen population.<br />
Finger Millet Blast Resistance Stability Nursery (FMBRSN) – <strong>2010</strong> has been constituted with the<br />
accessions that showed resistant and variable disease reactions at the above mentioned locations. The<br />
FMBRSN - <strong>2010</strong> consists of 28 finger millet accessions as test entries including one susceptible (VR<br />
708) and one resistant (GPU 28) controls. The nursery is being evaluated at 5 locations: Patancheru,<br />
Mandya, Vizianagaram, Naganahalli and Nandyal.<br />
Three accessions (GPU 28, IE 3077, IE 5066) were found highly resistant to leaf blast (score ≤ 1.0 on 1 – 9 scale) at Patancheru<br />
and another three (IE 2710, IE 4497 and IE 7079) at Mandya. Similarly 4 accessions (GPU 28, IE 5106, IE 4497, IE 2957) were<br />
highly resistant at Vizianagaram and 5 each at Nagenahalli (IE 2911, IE 2957, GPU 28, IE 6337 and IE 4497) and Nandyal (IE<br />
2911, IE2957, IE 4497, IE 6337 and GPU 28). The observations are still to be recorded for neck and finger blast at all locations.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-GTZ/BMZ<br />
RP Thakur, Rajan Sharma, HD Upadhyaya, CLL Gowda<br />
NARS Collaborators from Nandyal, Y Narasimhudu,<br />
Vizianagaram PRK Raj and Mandya CR Ravishankar<br />
2011 2.3.1<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.8: Foxtail millet core collection evaluated for resistance to blast disease (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Blast disease of foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.] caused by Pyricularia grisea (Cooke)<br />
Sacc. (teleomorph- Magnaporthe grisea) is a major problem in India and Africa causing substantial<br />
yield loss. Management of this disease can best be achieved through host plant resistance. The major<br />
focus in Cereals Pathology has been to screen the core collection of foxtail millet that is available at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Gene bank to identify genetic resistance to this disease.<br />
Foxtail millet core collection comprising of 155 accessions along with 4 controls were planted at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru in a RCBD with 2 replications, 1 row of 2 m long/replication. Plants were<br />
spray-inoculated at tillering stage with an aqueous conidial suspension (1 × 10 5 spores ml -1 ) of P.<br />
grisea fxm-strain. High humidity was provided by perfo-irrigation twice a day on rain-free days, 30<br />
min each during morning and evening hours to facilitate the disease development. Foliar, neck, panicle<br />
and sheath blast were recorded at dough stage. Of 155 accessions, 10 accessions did not germinate.<br />
One hundred forty one accessions were highly resistant to leaf blast without any infection compared to<br />
4 accessions (ISe 1129, ISe 1299, ISe 1037 and ISe 1118) that had 7-9 score on 1-9 scale. Seventeen<br />
97
accessions (ISe 375, -480, -748, -751, -769, -1037, -1067, -1204,-1320, -1335, -1387, -1419, -1547, -<br />
1593, -1685, -376 and -1541) were resistant ( ≤5% incidence) to neck and panicle blast confirming<br />
last year’s results. Seven accessions (ISe 237, ISe 717, ISe 1000, ISe 1204, ISe 1251, ISe 1320 and ISe<br />
1674) were resistant to sheath blast and remaining accessions had 10-90% incidence.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
BMZ/GTZ Project on finger millet and foxtail millet<br />
RP Thakur, Rajan Sharma, HD Upadhyaya, CLL Gowda<br />
NARS Collaborators from Nandyal, Y Narasimhudu,<br />
Vizianagaram PRK Raju and Mandya CR Ravishankar<br />
Activity: Evaluate Core and mini core collections for resistance to important abiotic stresses<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.9: Groundnut mini-core collection screened for root traits (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Completed in reported in 2009 archival<br />
V Vadez, HD Upadhyaya, RK Varshney and CLL Gowda<br />
2011 2.3.4<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.11: Sorghum mini-core or reference set screened for root traits (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Although sorghum is known to be adapted to dry situation and to be deep rooted, there is still large<br />
variation in root traits. The work was undertaken to identify germplasm (from the reference set) with<br />
high capacity to extract water from the soil profile when exposed to typical postrainy conditions (water<br />
stress appearing after flowering).<br />
One hundred and forty nine germplasm entries from the sorghum reference set lines, having limited<br />
variation in the flowering time, and three control cultivars were evaluated under terminal water stress<br />
and fully irrigated conditions, using lysimeters (see detailed description in http://www.icrisat.org/btroot-research.htm.<br />
A ten-fold range for seed yield and harvest index (HI), two-fold range for transpiration efficiency (TE)<br />
and a 1.25 fold variation for water extraction were observed under terminal water stress. Transpiration<br />
efficiency and water extraction under water stress related poorly to that under fully irrigated conditions.<br />
A large genotype-by-water treatment interaction was noted. Although the range of variation for water<br />
extraction was small, the 3 L difference in total water extraction was estimated as differences in the full<br />
extraction profile of about 400 mm. Among races, Durra had highest water extraction capacity and TE,<br />
whereas Caudatum had poor water extraction but high TE. Although yield was closely related to HI, at<br />
any level of HI there was substantial yield difference remaining unexplained, and these residual yield<br />
variations were closely related to transpiration efficiency (R 2 = 0.60). Similarly, substantial yield<br />
98
variations that were still not explained by HI or TE were closely related to the total water extracted<br />
under water stress (R 2 = 0.35). These results were confirmed by a multilinear regression analysis,<br />
which also showed the importance of water extracted during the grain filling period. These data<br />
indicate that large range of variation exists in the sorghum germplasm for TE and the capacity to<br />
extract water from the soil profile, and each contributes to a substantial yield differences under terminal<br />
drought (Fig 1). The lysimetric system proved to be critical to precisely assess yield component traits<br />
and assess their respective importance on yield.<br />
Figure 1. Total water extracted from the lysimeter soil profile (g plant -1 ) under terminal water stress conditions (a)<br />
and well-watered conditions (b) in 152 germplasm entries arranged in the same order as in (a). Data are the mean of<br />
3 replicated lysimeter-grown plants per genotype. Bar indicates LSD<br />
These data indicate the potential of the lysimetric system to accurately assess the different components<br />
of the Passioura’s equation, in a way that allows the respective weighing of their importance under<br />
different watering regime.<br />
V Vadez, HD Upadhyaya, RK Varshney and CLL Gowda<br />
Activity: Evaluate mini core and/or reference sets for important abiotic stresses<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.13: Mini core collection of groundnut evaluated for resistance to seed infection by<br />
Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination (2009)<br />
Progress reported:<br />
50%<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
After 2008-09 post rainy experiment, no trial was conducted during 2009-10 postrainy season. Hence<br />
there is no further advancement in the proposed activity from previous year. However, during <strong>2010</strong>-11<br />
99
postrainy season, 184 mini core accessions are being planted in the A. flavus sick field for systematic<br />
evaluation for resistance to seed infection by Aspergillus flavus and subsequent aflatoxin<br />
contamination.<br />
H Sudini and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.18: Reference sets of chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut evaluated for salinity<br />
tolerance (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Results on pigeonpea for the mini core collection reported earlier and not assessed for the reference<br />
collection<br />
Legumes are generally considered sensitive to salinity, but the salinity resistance of large number of<br />
germplasm has rarely been explored. This study aimed to: (i) determine whether there is consistent<br />
genetic variation for salinity resistance in the chickpea and groundnut mini-core and reference<br />
collections; (ii) assess the strength of the relationship between the yield under saline conditions and that<br />
under non-saline conditions; and (iii) identify contrasting sets of entries.<br />
Chickpea and groundnut germplasm from the mini core collection and reference set (chickpea) were<br />
planted in 25 cm diameter pots, filled with 7.5 kg of Vertisol (chickpea) or 10kg of Alfisol (groundnut).<br />
Salt treatment consisted in an application of a 80 mM NaCl solution in sufficient amount to saturate the<br />
soil profile. This corresponded to a 0.94 g/kg Alfisol and 1.17 g/kg in the Vertisol. Salt treatment was<br />
applied in 3 split doses at sowing (1/3), and approximately 10 and 20 days after sowing. Subsequent<br />
irrigation was done with soft water. Plants were grown in pots outside, buried in the ground, and plants<br />
harvested at maturity. Four chickpea plants and two groundnut plants per pot were used.<br />
Chickpea – Several trials were carried out between 2005 and 2009. There was a large variation in seed<br />
yield among the genotypes in the saline pots, and a small genotype by environment interaction for grain<br />
yield in both soil types. The non-saline control yields explained only 12 to 15% of the variation of the<br />
saline yields indicating that evaluation for salinity resistance needs to be conducted under saline<br />
conditions. The reduction in yield in the saline soil compared with the non-saline soil was more severe<br />
in the Alfisol than in the Vertisol, but rank order was similar in both soil types with a few exceptions.<br />
Yield reductions due to salinity were closely associated with fewer pods and seeds per pot (61 to 91%)<br />
and to lesser extent from less plant biomass (12 to 27%), but not seed size. A group of consistently<br />
salinity resistant genotypes was identified for use as donor sources, for crossing with existing chickpea<br />
cultivars (Table 1). (Details in Krishnamurthy et al., 2011 – J. Agron. Crop. Sci).<br />
Table 1. Best linear unbiased predicts of genotypes (BLUPs) for days to 50% flowering, shoot<br />
biomass and seed yield for the group of consistently highly resistant accessions (n=12) in a<br />
Vertisol (2005-06) and an Alfisol (2007-08) soil.<br />
Vertisol (2005-06) Alfisol (2007-08)<br />
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------<br />
Days to Shoot Grain Days to Shoot Grain<br />
50% biomass yield 50% biomass yield<br />
Accession flowering (g pot -1 ) (g pot -1 ) flowering (g pot -1 ) (g pot -1 )<br />
ICC 456 61 24.4 10.7 55 26.5 11.3<br />
ICC 791 63 33.4 10.3 68 25.4 9.0<br />
ICC 1710 65 32.0 10.4 67 25.7 8.5<br />
ICC 3325 63 28.0 9.7 54 27.1 9.7<br />
ICC 4918 43 30.8 9.9 50 25.5 9.9<br />
ICC 5613 52 30.8 9.6 46 23.5 7.8<br />
ICC 6279 45 28.4 11.1 43 25.5 11.1<br />
100
Vertisol (2005-06) Alfisol (2007-08)<br />
-------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------<br />
Days to Shoot Grain Days to Shoot Grain<br />
50% biomass yield 50% biomass yield<br />
Accession flowering (g pot -1 ) (g pot -1 ) flowering (g pot -1 ) (g pot -1 )<br />
ICC 9942 57 31.9 12.8 54 32.4 15.7<br />
ICC 11121 60 30.5 11.0 60 26.9 10.7<br />
ICC 12155 60 32.1 10.1 50 26.0 12.4<br />
ICC 14799 60 35.8 10.6 60 25.1 8.6<br />
ICCV 95311 46 28.2 10.2 45 25.7 9.1<br />
Please Add SE±, CV%, CD in table 1.<br />
Groundnut: A total of 275 genotypes of groundnut including genotypes from putatively salinity<br />
affected areas were screened across three different seasons for shoot biomass and seed yield, under<br />
saline and non-saline conditions. Shoot biomass under saline conditions showed limited genotypic<br />
variation and was not kept as a selection criterion. In comparison, a six-fold range of variation for pod<br />
yield under salinity (10-12.5 dSm -1 NaCl) was observed. Pod yield under saline and non-saline<br />
conditions were poorly related.. Although the genotypic variation for pod yield under saline conditions<br />
was large, it also showed large G×E interaction. We report a set of 14 tolerant and 17 sensitive<br />
genotypes, consistently contrasting across years for pod and seed yield and pod and seed numbers<br />
under saline conditions across seasons, and those could be used in breeding (Table 2). Our attempt to<br />
increase the frequency of tolerant lines by selecting landraces from putatively salinity affected area was<br />
not successful and the mini core collection of germplasm provided most of the salinity tolerant entries.<br />
Table 2. List of 14 most tolerant and 17 most susceptible genotypes, including germplasm type (MC, minicore,<br />
BL, breeding line) and origin, and data o days to flowering, shoot dry weight at maturity (SDW) and<br />
pod weight at maturity (PW) from two seasons evaluation under saline (S, 1.17 g NaCl kg-1 soil) and control<br />
(C, 0 g NaCl) conditions. Data are the mean (± SE) of 3 replicated pots (containing 2 plants pot-1)<br />
Genotype Type Origin Season Days to<br />
flower (DAS)<br />
SDW (g pot -1 ) PW (g pot -1 )<br />
Tolerant S C S C S C<br />
ICG 5195 MC Sudan 2006 34 25 19.0 ± 1.60 28.1 ± 1.12 12.6 ± 0.16 22.4 ± 3.55<br />
2006-07 45 42 18.3 ± 0.11 35.6 ± 5.44 17.1 ± 0.81 34.9 ± 6.43<br />
ICGV 86156 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 30 28 15.4 ± 2.03 23.7 ± 5.50 13.7 ± 1.5 14.1 ± 2.02<br />
2006-07 51 40 11.0 ± 2.51 26.1 ± 0.11 23.1 ± 3.15 44.2 ± 3.82<br />
ICG (FDRS)10 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 28 25 25.8 ± 8.10 35.3 ± 3.12 11.5 ± 4.60 19.8 ± 3.44<br />
2006-07 52 39 25.1 ± 0.01 41.3 ± 5.00 24.5 ± 3.33 45.1 ± 3.09<br />
ICGV 99181 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 32 29 14.9 ± 1.03 32.3 ± 9.69 9.4 ± 1.33 14.6 ± 0.38<br />
2006-07 39 37 17.1 ± 1.62 29.7 ± 3.52 22.2 ± 2.41 49.4 ± 2.42<br />
ICGV 00309 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 38 27 14.1 ± 1.75 32.6 ± 10.3 12.2 ± 1.67 26.5 ± 4.38<br />
2006-07 59 37 16.7 ± 2.29 29.4 ± 6.58 24.5 ± 4.04 34.3 ± 8.59<br />
ICGS 44 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 33 28 13.3 ± 1.24 29.8 ± 5.53 9.5 ± 0.37 33.6 ± 13.52<br />
2006-07 47 43 21.5 ± 3.58 23.9 ± 0.81 23.2 ± 2.48 52.7 ± 6.45<br />
ICG 442 MC USA 2006 34 24 13.1 ± 1.86 55.3 ± 5.55 7.6 ± 1.30 20.5 ± 5.17<br />
2006-07 45 41 17.6 ± 1.08 26.6 ± 3.28 20.6 ± 0.57 40.7 ± 4.44<br />
ICG 7283 MC Paraguay 2006 32 26 16.2 ± 2.14 29.4 ± 2.93 9.5± 2.53 28.9 ± 0.85<br />
2006-07 45 26 17.5 ± 6.12 27.2 ±12.27 26.1 ± 6.13 32.4 ± 14.08<br />
ICG 1711 MC Boliva 2006 30 27 12.9 ± 2.45 30.6 ±1.69 10.5 ± 2.57 24.1 ± 4.60<br />
2006-07 44 39 20.5 ± 1.91 40.9 ± 6.25 18.0 ± 2.65 36.4 ± 7.66<br />
ICGV 86155 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 33 30 15.8 ± 2.73 36.7 ± 5.40 11.6 ± 1.47 28.5 ± 8.03<br />
2006-07 75 41 9.42 ±1.85 28.9 ± 5.45 25.2 ± 1.46 35.9 ± 9.61<br />
ICG 2106 MC India 2006 36 28 18.0 ± 3.81 30.9 ± 3.46 10.7 ± 3.39 17.9 ± 0.91<br />
2006-07 75 41 16.7 ± 1.17 36.1 ± 4.33 23.4 ± 0.77 45.4 ± 0.92<br />
ICGS 76 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 37 35 17.2 ± 2.12 47.8 ± 11.11 11.7 ± 2.89 34.7 ± 14.01<br />
2006-07 54 54 19.1 ± 0.83 37.4 ± 4.04 27.2 ± 1.64 42.3 ± 6.55<br />
ICG 1519 MC India 2006 37 27 14.6 ± 0.52 45.5 ± 15.37 11.3 ± 2.54 21.7 ± 5.32<br />
2006-07 77 43 13.8 ± 1.70 29.4 ± 2.58 25.2 ± 4.51 39.7 ± 2.54<br />
ICGV 87187 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 36 17 11.0 ± 2.21 17.3 ± 0.52 14.4± 1.75 29.6 ± 0.88<br />
2006-07 56 51 17.9 ± 0.83 33.3 ± 0.60 25.2 ± 1.11 48.4 ± 0.11<br />
Susceptible<br />
ICG 6402 MC Unknown 2006 33 29 11.4 ± 2.88 31.6 ± 2.72 1.6 ± 1.11 14.8 ± 2.19<br />
2006-07 73 43 17.6 ± 2.1 34.2 ± 0.5 12.1 ± 5.64 51.6 ± 1.49<br />
ICG 5149 MC Paraguay 2006 30 26 13.6 ± 1.58 59.0 ± 8.60 3.1 ± 1.94 16.08 ± 6.59<br />
2006-07 42 37 26.4 ± 1.21 40.5 ± 1.41 11.6 ± 0.32 33.9 ± 8.33<br />
ICGV 92196 BL <strong>ICRISAT</strong> 2006 37 29 8.8 ± 2.75 34.1 ± 4.05 3.8 ± 1.74 26.3 ± 3.36<br />
2006-07 44 45 8.8 ± 2.32 48.4 ± 9.86 20.9 ± 0.81 37.9 ± 4.53<br />
ICG 6993 MC Brazil 2006 38 33 4.1 ± 2.97 22.6 ± 0.16 1.5 ± 0.59 4.9 ± 2.01<br />
2006-07 54 50 28.1 ± 3.18 68.6 ± 4.57 15.9 ± 4.28 26.1 ± 6.50<br />
ICG 13856 MC Uganda 2006 36 26 11.5 ± 2.04 37.5 ± 0.05 6.7 ± 0.86 31.1 ± 2.20<br />
2006-07 81 42 11.6 ± 1.18 24.7 ± 3.19 14.1 ± 6.16 34.9 ± 5.56<br />
ICG 8083 MC Russia / CISs 2006 26 23 6.3 ± 1.38 20.7 ± 1.66 5.5 ± 0.93 17.9 ± 1.75<br />
101
High contrast exists for salinity tolerance in groundnut and chickpea. In chickpea, sensitivity to salt<br />
stress is related to the sensitivity of reproduction and similar trend is very likely in groundnut.<br />
V Vadez, HD Upadhyaya and RK Varshney<br />
Activity: Evaluate groundnut and sorghum mini core and/or reference sets for transpiration<br />
efficiency (TE) and root traits<br />
Milestone 2.3.5.19 C.5.3.5: C ¹³ in chickpea analyzed at JIRCAS (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India and Japan<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
JIRCAS, UAS Bangalore, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
As indicated in the previous report, the field trial at Patancheru was repeated again in 2009-<strong>2010</strong>. The<br />
trial with the reference set was planted on 31 Oct 2009 under two soil moisture conditions. The pattern<br />
of receding soil moisture was normal except for a 39 mm rain on 14 Jan <strong>2010</strong> when most early duration<br />
accessions had already reached the physiological maturity. The data on SLA, SCMR and phenology<br />
were recorded. Similar to the previous year data, data from 2009-10 had also shown a large and<br />
significant variation across the soil moisture regimes for most of the traits monitored including Δ 13 C (Table 3).<br />
Table 3. Means (BLUPs) and range of various traits observed both under drought stressed and<br />
optimally irrigated environments of the 280 accessions of the reference set of chickpea<br />
germplasm during 2009-10 postrainy season in a Vertisol.<br />
Drought stressed<br />
Optimally irrigated<br />
_______________<br />
_________________<br />
Characteristics Mean Range Mean Range<br />
Days to 50% flowering 48 35-66 53 36-64<br />
Days to maturity 95 79-115 112 108-117<br />
Shoot biomass (kg ha -1 ) 4120 2822-5499 6781 3566-8926<br />
Seed yield (kg ha -1 ) 1518 442-2314 1522 694-2311<br />
Harvest index 38 11-57 23 11-38<br />
Pod number plant -1 43 21.2-71.2 49 28.6-86.9<br />
Seeds pod -1 1.1 0.77-1.37 1.2 0.9-1.6<br />
100 seed weight (g) 17.3 9.2-44.8 15.1 8.1-33.9<br />
Shoot biomass (kg ha -1 day -1 ) 43.5 28.4-57.3 60.4 32.7-78.4<br />
Seed yield (kg ha -1 day -1 ) 33.4 7.7-53.5 25.7 13.2-37.7<br />
Under drought stress, there was a large range in Δ 13 C value of the accessions and this ranged between -<br />
27.2 to -24.2. However, it was very narrow and between -28.6 to -27.4 under optimally irrigated<br />
conditions. The seed yield per day (seed yield/ days of reproductive growth duration) or water use<br />
efficiency (WUE) under terminal drought stress prone condition was significantly associated with the<br />
Δ 13 C (Fig. 2) like the observation in previous year. It was interesting to note that Δ 13 C was not only<br />
related to WUE but also with the phenology, shoot biomass, seed yield. Surprisingly Δ 13 C was not<br />
correlated with SLA or SPAD values. But there was a good negative correlation between SLA and<br />
SPAD values (r = -0.38 *** ). The narrow range of Δ 13 C values observed under optimally irrigated<br />
condition was not associated with the phenology or the yield component traits.<br />
102
y = -8.38x - 182.7<br />
R 2 = 0.25***<br />
60.0<br />
50.0<br />
WUE (Kg ha -1 d -1 )<br />
40.0<br />
30.0<br />
20.0<br />
10.0<br />
0.0<br />
-27.5 -27 -26.5 -26 -25.5 -25 -24.5 -24<br />
Delta C<br />
Figure 2. The relationship between the Δ 13 C and the rate of grain yield accumulation (kg ha -1<br />
day -1 ) in the 280 accessions of the chickpea reference collection during 2008-09 growing season<br />
Genotyping of the reference set with DArT markers<br />
A set of 288 chickpea genotypes from the reference set were genotyped using DArT markers and 1157<br />
polymorphic markers were identified. Based on the availability of both genotyping and phenotyping<br />
data, 270 genotypes from the reference set were used for marker trait association studies.<br />
Linkage disequilibrium based marker trait associations<br />
In order to identify the number of subpopulations, STRUCTURE analysis (Pritchard et al 2000) was<br />
performed, which estimates the natural logarithm of the probability Ln P(D) of given genotype, being<br />
part of a given population K. By the Bayes Model-based Clustering Analysis, the highest likelihood<br />
value (Ln P(D)), correspond to the most probable number of subpopulations. In order to find the best<br />
value of K, the program was run for 4 times fitting K from 2 to 20, under “admixture model”, for the<br />
DArT markers (Figure 2). However conclusive K value could not be determined, hence for determining<br />
the number of sub-populations, principal component analysis (PCA) in TASSEL 2.01 was used. As a<br />
result, 17 sub-populations were identified in the reference set which represent >70% of the variation<br />
existing the germplasm used. Further, in order to reduce the number of false positive associations both<br />
population structure and relative kinship information were employed. Both generalized linear model<br />
(GLM) and mixed linear model (MLM) in TASSEL 2.01 software (Andersen et al. 2005) were<br />
employed for establishing marker trait associations.<br />
Markers associated with various root traits like root volume (cpPb-172290, cpPb-324158), root length<br />
(cpPb-677692), root dry weight (cpPb-489251), root surface area (cpPb-324158, cpPb-172290),<br />
rooting depth (cpPb-325441) and root length density (cpPb-677692) and carbon isotope discrimination<br />
trait (cpPb-680078, cpPb-490776) were identified (Table 4-5). Most of the associations identified for<br />
root volume, root dry weight root surface area by GLM were also identified by MLM. The markers<br />
associated with root volume and root surface area were mapped on linkage group (LG 3) on the high<br />
density inter-specific map developed using the mapping population ICC 4958 × PI 489777. However,<br />
markers associated with rooting depth and root length density are not mapped. Marker trait associations<br />
were detected only under rainfed conditions using GLM model. However MLM analysis detected<br />
marker trait association for under rainfed and irrigated conditions (Table 4-5).<br />
Table 4. Marker trait associations identified using generalized linear model (GLM)<br />
Locus LG Trait* p-value Rsq_Marker<br />
cpPb-172290 LG3 Root volume 0.000999 0.0382<br />
cpPb-324158 LG3 Root volume 0.000999 0.0386<br />
cpPb-489251 Not mapped Root Dry Weight 0.004000 0.0361<br />
cpPb-677692 Not mapped Root length density 0.015000 0.0315<br />
cpPb-172290 LG3 Root surface area 0.009000 0.0319<br />
cpPb-324158 LG3 Root surface area 0.011000 0.0322<br />
cpPb-680078, LG7 CID 0.00099 0.045<br />
cpPb-490776 LG2 CID 0.00099 0.00329<br />
*CID=carbon isotope discrimination<br />
103
Table 5. Marker trait associations identified using mixed linear model (MLM)<br />
Locus LG Trait* p-value Rsq_marker<br />
cpPb-324158 LG3 Root volume 0.0013 0.033<br />
cpPb-172290 LG3 Root volume 0.0014 0.0323<br />
cpPb-489251 Not mapped Root Dry Weight 0.0028 0.0279<br />
cpPb-324158 LG3 Root surface area 0.0047 0.0235<br />
cpPb-677692 Not mapped Root length density 0.0048 0.0255<br />
cpPb-172290 LG3 Root surface area 0.0051 0.0229<br />
cpPb-325441 Not mapped Rooting depth 0.0059 0.031<br />
cpPb-325885 Not mapped Root length density 0.0115 0.021<br />
cpPb-677692 Not mapped root length 0.012 0.0206<br />
cpPb-327820 LG1 DeltaC_IR 0.0043 0.045<br />
cpPb-323939 LG2 DeltaC_IR 0.0029 0.0292<br />
cpPb-490776 LG2 DeltaC_RF 0.0018 0.0295<br />
cpPb-676245 LG2 DeltaC_RF 0.0089 0.0305<br />
cpPb-171591 LG3 DeltaC_IR 0.0044 0.0329<br />
cpPb-488627 LG3 DeltaC_RF 0.008 0.0315<br />
cpPb-675517 LG4 DeltaC_RF 0.0066 0.0291<br />
cpPb-491344 LG5 DeltaC_IR 0.0044 0.0321<br />
cpPb-678284 LG5 DeltaC_RF 0.002 0.0308<br />
cpPb-680078 LG7 DeltaC_RF 0.001 0.0291<br />
cpPb-680777 LG8 DeltaC_IR 0.0058 0.0318<br />
*Delta C_IR= under optimally irrigated conditions; and DeltaC_RF= under terminal drought<br />
conditions<br />
Special project funding: GCP SP3 G2008<br />
L Krishnamurthy, Rajeev Varshney, Pooran M Gaur and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Groundnut for TE<br />
Completed and reported in 2009 archival<br />
Sorghum<br />
Sorghum is usually cultivated under water limited conditions and as such, identification of entries that<br />
are capable of maximizing water productivity is an important endeavor. Further, there is evidence of<br />
genotypic variation for TE in sorghum, although this has been done in small range of germplasm.<br />
Therefore, an assessment was done here in a large number of entries, in a routine pot trial.<br />
Plants were grown under well-watered conditions until about 4 weeks after sowing. Then a set of plants<br />
is harvested to assess biomass at that stage. Then two sets of plants are used as water stress (WS) and<br />
well watered treatment. Pots are bagged to avoid soil evaporation. Progressive water deficit is imposed<br />
to the water stress treatment by limiting the maximum amount of water loss per day. Pot weight is<br />
taken every day. Once WS plants have exhausted the pot water, plants are harvested, biomass measured<br />
and TE calculated as the ratio of the biomass increase during the dry down, divided by the amount of<br />
water transpired during that time.<br />
A large range of variation was found (from 4.13 to 9.20 g biomass kg-1 water transpired). The trial<br />
mean value in 2009-10 was relatively lower (6.12 g biomass kg -1 water transpired) than the trial mean<br />
of 2008-09 (8.60 g biomass kg -1 water transpired). Yet, these data were in the range of those reported<br />
by other scholars (Yin et al., 2009; Balota et al., 2008; Hammer et al., 1997; Donatelli et al., 1992).<br />
There was a significant relation between the values obtained in the previous year. Therefore the data<br />
from the two years were averaged. The chart below provides the range of variation for TE across two<br />
years, i.e. a range between 6 and 10 g biomass kg -1 water transpired (Fig. 3). This work allows the<br />
identification of contrasting germplasm, having differences in TE under well watered conditions. Two<br />
measurements of SPAD value were done on the most fully expanded leaf during the course of the<br />
experiment, i.e. at 1 and 3 weeks after initiating the experiment and where plants were 5 and 7 weeks<br />
104
old. The purpose of measuring SPAD was to test whether TE data could be related to SPAD data, as it<br />
has been attempted in groundnut. The SPAD value varied between 30 and 60 in both measurements<br />
and were closely related (R 2 = 0.42). However, there was absolutely no relationship between TE and<br />
any of the SPAD measurement, showing that TE could not be measured with SPAD reading<br />
differences.<br />
TE (g biomass kg-1 water<br />
transpired)<br />
12.0<br />
10.0<br />
8.0<br />
6.0<br />
4.0<br />
2.0<br />
0.0<br />
387 entries tested<br />
Figure 3. Range of variation of TE across two years in sorghum reference set<br />
V Vadez, L Krishnamurthy and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Output target 2.3.6: Reference sets evaluated and genotyped for enhanced utilization<br />
Activity: Investigation of genetic diversity of chickpea and groundnut reference sets and assessing its<br />
relevance with drought avoidance root traits<br />
Milestone 2.3.6.1: Chickpea reference set phenotyped for root traits in PVC cylinders (120cm height)<br />
(2009)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India and Japan<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
JIRCAS, UAS Bangalore, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
To improve the prospects of identification of a major QTL for the root traits as well as the desire to<br />
improve the robustness of the molecular markers that would be identified, it was decided to continue<br />
the root phenotyping for the third season. The experiment was sown in an alpha design with three<br />
replications in cylinders as in previous tests. The sowing was done during 22 and 26 Dec 2009 and<br />
harvested during 26 to 30 Jan <strong>2010</strong>. The rooting depth, root dry weight, root volume, root surface area<br />
and the root length density were the root-related data collected along with the shoot dry weight of these<br />
two plants from each cylinder. The plant growth in this trial was good. The rooting depth ranged from<br />
91 to 105 cm, root dry weight from 0.64 to 1.35g cylinder -1 (Fig 4) and the root length density from<br />
0.28 to 0.41 cm cm -3 . The root dry weight of the accessions recorded in this trial was well associated to<br />
the ones observed in the previous year (2008-09) (Fig 5). Similarly the root length density (r 2 = 0.14)<br />
and the shoot dry weights (r 2 = 0.35) were also closely associated.<br />
105
1.5<br />
Root dry weight (g cylinder -1 )<br />
1.4<br />
1.3<br />
1.2<br />
1.1<br />
1.0<br />
0.9<br />
0.8<br />
0.7<br />
0.6<br />
0.5<br />
1 17 33 49 65 81 97 113 129 145 161 177 193 209 225 241 257 273 289<br />
Reference set<br />
Figure 4. The range of root dry weights (best linear unbiased predictors) observed in the<br />
reference collection of the chickpea germplasm in 2009-10<br />
0.90<br />
Root dry weight (g cylinder -1 ) in 2008-09<br />
0.80<br />
0.70<br />
0.60<br />
0.50<br />
0.40<br />
y = 0.362x + 0.228<br />
r 2 = 0.37***<br />
0.30<br />
0.30 0.50 0.70 0.90 1.10 1.30 1.50<br />
Root dry weight (g cylinder -1 ) in 2009-10<br />
Figure 5. The relationship between the root dry weights of the reference of the chickpea<br />
germplasm recorded in 2008-09 and 2009-10<br />
Special Project Funding<br />
TL1<br />
L Krishnamurthy, N Lalitha, Rajeev Varshney,<br />
Pooran M Gaur and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.3.6.4: Groundnut reference set genotyped with 100 SSR markers (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
UAS-B<br />
106
Progress/Results:<br />
Groundnut reference set was grown during 2009-10 post-rainy season and leaf samples were collected<br />
to extract the DNA for genotyping. A set of 154 SSR markers are chosen from the consensus genetic<br />
map prepared with 293 marker loci. The markers were chosen based on whole genome coverage and<br />
their uniform distribution on all linkage groups. Diversity analysis was done for 154 SSR genotyping<br />
data using PowerMarker V3.25 and DARwin 5.0.128. A total of 3,295 alleles were detected ranging<br />
from a minimum of 3(GM1135) to a maximum of 79 (GM2120) with an average of 21.3 alleles per<br />
locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) value varied from 0.07 (GM1416) to 0.97<br />
(GM2120) with average 0.69. Major allele frequency was very low for GM2120 (0.09) due to presence<br />
of high variability for this locus and highest for GM1416 (0.96) indicating most of the genotypes had<br />
the same locus. A total of 64 markers did not exhibit any heterozygosity, while variation was high<br />
among remaining markers ranging from 0.003 (GM1603, GM1846, GM1907, S11, PM183) to 0.996<br />
(GM2215) with an average of 0.102 per locus. Wilds and cultivated clustered separately and similar<br />
separate clustering was also observed grouping based on species, sub-species and genomes (Figure 6).<br />
HD Upadhyaya, Mansee, Sriswathi, MK Pandey and RK Varshney<br />
A<br />
B<br />
Sub.species<br />
Hypogaea<br />
C<br />
Sub species.hypogaea (red); Sub species. fastigata<br />
(green); Sub species capibarensis (black)<br />
D<br />
AA genome (red); AABB genome (blue); BB genome<br />
(green); EE genome (pink); EX genome (yellow); PP<br />
genome (brown)<br />
•Wild species ;Cultivated<br />
Figure 6. Clustering pattern of 307 reference set genotypes based on 154 SSR markers.<br />
Distribution of genotypes based on species (A), sub-species (B), genome (C) and pictorial diagram<br />
for wild and cultivated genotypes (D)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Department of Biotechnology (Government of India)<br />
107
Milestone 2.3.6.5: Candidate gene diversity analyzed in chickpea reference set (300 accessions) for<br />
drought tolerant alleles (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, France and Peru<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
CIRAD, INRA-CNG, CIP<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The candidate genes conferring drought tolerance were sequenced in 300 accessions of reference set of<br />
chickpea. The results of which are explained in Output Target 2.4.7 of <strong>Archival</strong> <strong>Report</strong> of Project 2.<br />
RK Varshney, HD Upadhyaya and PM Gaur<br />
2011 2.3.2<br />
Milestone 2.3.6.6: Diversity analyzed for the molecular markers and markers associated with drought<br />
related (root traits) in chickpea identified (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Diversity analyzed for the molecular markers and markers associated with drought related (root<br />
traits) in chickpea identified: Chickpea reference set along with 6 (ICC 4958, Annigeri, G 130,<br />
ICCV 10, KAK 2, and L 550) control cultivars were planted in cylinder culture system under a rain out<br />
shelter during two consecutive postrainy seasons (2007-08, 2008-09) The chickpea accessions were<br />
grown in 18 cm diameter, 120 cm tall PVC cylinders (Kashiwagi et al., 2005) in an alpha design with 3<br />
replications.<br />
Phenotypic evaluation of root traits: 35 days after sowing (DAS) , the shoots were harvested, the<br />
cylinders were placed horizontally and the root and the soil particles are washed, the roots are stretched<br />
to measure their length as an estimate of root depth (RDp). The root system was then sliced into<br />
portions of 30 cm (0-30cm, 30-60cm, 60-90cm, 90-120cm), to measure the root length (RL) at each of<br />
the 30 cm depth of the root system, using an image analysis system (WinRhizo, Regent Instruments<br />
INC., Canada). Root length density (RLD) in each 30cm layer was obtained by dividing root length by<br />
volume of a 30cm section of the cylinder. The root dry weight (RDW) and shoot dry weight (SDW)<br />
were recorded after drying the roots and shoots in a hot air oven at 80 o C for 72 hours. Total plant dry<br />
weight (TDW) is sum of root and shoots dry weights. Root to total plant dry weight ratio (R/T %) was<br />
calculated as an indicator for biomass allocation to roots on dry weight basis. Data was analyzed and<br />
drought related trait-specific accessions were identified as below<br />
• Shoot dry weight: Of the 42 accessions, the top ten accessions were: (ICC 15518, ICC<br />
15406, ICC 18679, ICC 20263, ICC 11903, ICC 14446, ICC 12328, ICC 18699, ICC 15435,<br />
ICC 18912 (Shoot dry weight: 2.9-2.4 gm), compared to the control cultivar with highest<br />
Shoot dry weight – ICC 4958 -2.2 gm)<br />
• Root dry weight: Of the 40 accessions, ICC 10885, ICC 12492, ICC 13187, ICC 18858, ICC<br />
20267, ICC 11819, ICC 12379, ICC 15333, ICC 18912, ICC 19011 were the top ten<br />
accessions with highest root dry weight (0.97- 0.82 gm), compared to the control cultivar with<br />
highest root dry weight in ICC 4958 (0.72 gm)<br />
• Root Depth: Of the 13 accessions, ICC 8740, ICC 11498, ICC 18983, ICC 15518, ICC 7819,<br />
ICC 10885, ICC 2679, ICC 12028, ICC 16207, ICC 13524 were the top ten accessions with<br />
highest Root Depth (131.7-119.8 cm), compared to the control cultivar Annigeri (119.5cm)<br />
108
• Root to total plant dry weight ratio (R-T): 11 accessions ICC 12492, ICC 12928, ICC<br />
11198, ICC 2629, ICC 18858, ICC 16207, ICC 15610, ICC 19226, ICC 12037, ICC 9434,<br />
ICC 1230 (39.0-30.2%) were better compared to the control cultivar with highest Root to total<br />
plant dry weight ratio % G130 (30.1%)<br />
• Root length: Of the 33 accessions, ICC 10885, ICC 20267, ICC 3410, ICC 18828, ICC<br />
15518, ICC 18679, ICC 20263, ICC 8521, ICC 3512, ICC 8318- were the top ten accessions<br />
with highest root length (6818.3-6008.4), compared to the control cultivar with highest root<br />
length ICC 4958 (5549.14)<br />
• Root length Density: 6 accessions (ICC 8261, ICC 5337, ICC 6306, ICC 18912, ICC 20267,<br />
ICC 14446 – 0.41-0.26) were better compared to the control cultivar with highest root length<br />
density ICC 4958 (0.25)<br />
Molecular diversity of Chickpea reference set<br />
Genotypic evaluation of root traits: Total genomic DNA was isolated from newly expanded leaves<br />
by using a modified CTAB method (Cuc et al, 2008), from a single representative plant in each<br />
accession of chickpea reference set in Applied Genomics Laboratory, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru. The final<br />
concentration of all the working DNA samples was normalized to 5 ng/µl for PCR reactions. The 100<br />
polymorphic markers were selected for genotyping reference set accessions, which were mapped on 12<br />
linkage groups of chickpea (Winter et al, 2000). Based on high polymorphism and amplification rate of<br />
markers, 91 SSR markers were scorable. Raw allelic data of the markers was binned through AlleloBin<br />
(Indury and Cardon, 1997).<br />
Allelic richness and diversity in reference set : A total of 91 SSR markers detected 2411 alleles in<br />
300 reference set accessions. The number of alleles per locus ranged from 3 (CaSTMS20) to 61 (TS5),<br />
with an average of 26.66 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content (PIC) values ranged<br />
from 0.021 (CaSTMS20) to 0.969 (TA176), with an average of 0.809. Most of the markers had high<br />
PIC (< 4), whereas markers TAA57 (0.166), CaSTMS13 (0.291), TA108 (0.361) and CaSTMS23<br />
(0.392) showed low polymorphism. Gene diversity is defined as the probability that two randomly<br />
chosen alleles from the population are different. It varied from 0.0203 (CaSTMS20) to 0.969 (TA176)<br />
with an average of 0.825 in the reference set.<br />
Population Structure analysis: In the present study, population structure was dissected for 300<br />
accessions by using 91SSR markers allelic data by using the software program STRUCTURE. The<br />
reference set was grouped in to 17 subpopulations with varying number of accessions. The<br />
subpopulation 1 contained 17 accessions followed by subpopulation 2 (12 accessions), subpopulation 3<br />
(16 accessions), subpopulation 4 (53 accessions), subpopulation 5 (14 accessions), subpopulation 6 (10<br />
accessions), subpopulation 7 (30 accessions), subpopulation 8 (28 accessions), subpopulation 9 (22<br />
accessions), subpopulation 10 (15 accessions), subpopulation 11 (11 accessions), subpopulation 12 (11<br />
accessions), subpopulation 13 (15 accessions), subpopulation 14 (8 accessions), subpopulation 15 (9<br />
accessions), subpopulation 16 (11 accessions) and subpopulation 17 contained 18 accessions.<br />
Association of markers with drought related traits<br />
Trait Mapping: A total of 39 significant Marker Trait Associations (MTAs) were identified for 91<br />
SSR markers in both models, mapped and unmapped. From those 39 MTAs, 11 are specific for the<br />
single trait the remaining consists of associations with seven traits. TDW was involved in the highest<br />
number of MTAs (11), followed by SDW (9), RDW (7).The fewest MTAs were associated with RV(5),<br />
RLD (3), RL (3), RDp (1), RSA (1), Considering the total number of MTAs found for these traits,<br />
TDW has by far the highest amount of trait specific associations.<br />
Mapped Markers: The 39 associated mapped markers (Table 6) are included in genetic linkage map<br />
Winter et al., (2000). Each trait was associated with at least one and maximum eleven markers on<br />
different linkage groups (LG). Eight (LG 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 13) linkage groups were involved in MTAs.<br />
Of a total 39 associated markers, 16 are associated with only one trait and therefore can be called traitspecific<br />
MTAs; the others were associated with up to nine traits and further referred to as multi-trait<br />
MTAs. Excluding the Multilocus markers, the highest number of associated markers was found on LG<br />
1, followed by LG 3, with the lowest on LG 7, LG8, LG4 (only1 each). Considering the homeologous<br />
groups, LG 1 contained highest number (11) followed by LG3 (19) associated markers; the lowest<br />
number was found for LG7, LG8, LG4 (1 each). In the following, the identified MTAs are described<br />
for each trait, and cM- positions for the trait specific MTAs are given in brackets. Shoot Dry weight<br />
(SDW) shared sixteen MTAs which are specific for only this trait. They are located on LG1 (8.9), LG3<br />
109
(0.5), LG5 (1.1), LG6 (2.5), LG13 (1.5) and all MTAs were significant in two years. The three loci on<br />
three different LGs had high LD (>0.9). Total dry weight shared eleven MTAs and SDW shared nine<br />
MTAs on LG1, LG3, LG5, LG6, and LG13. A total of 27 MTAs were identified for biomass and all<br />
are trait specific and were spread on all eight LGs. RV shared a total of five MTAs. RLD shared three<br />
MTAs. Two MTAs where shared by RL. On LG3 two unique MTAs was identified for RDP, and RSA.<br />
No MTA was found for the trait R/T%. Maximum phenotypic diversity percentage (28.62%) was<br />
observed by TAA59 for RLD on LG7 followed by TA20 (20.75%), TA135 (20.01%) for TDW.<br />
N Lalitha, HD Upadhyaya, L Krishnamurthy and V Vadez<br />
110
Table 6. Representation of Marker-trait Associations of different drought related on Linkage groups of Chickpea<br />
Trait Locus<br />
Linkage<br />
group df_Marker F_Marker p_Marker<br />
p-<br />
perm_Marker<br />
p-<br />
adj_Marker df_Model df_Error MS_Error Rsq_Model sq_Marker<br />
SDW CaSTMS5 LG3 12 2.8617 0.001 0.007 0.023 28 261 0.0637 0.4771 6.88<br />
SDW GA26 LG13 15 3.0647 1.39E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 31 258 0.0619 0.4978 8.95<br />
SDW TA113 LG1 20 2.2233 0.0025 0.005 0.035 36 253 0.0632 0.4968 8.84<br />
SDW TaaSH LG5 25 2.4678 2.23E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 41 248 0.0607 0.5262 11.79<br />
SDW TR40 LG6 24 2.1912 0.0015 0.005 0.017 40 249 0.0624 0.5115 10.32<br />
SDW GAA40 LG1 8 3.0621 0.0026 0.004 0.023 24 265 0.1004 0.3546 5.97<br />
SDW CaSTMS9 LG6 9 3.2785 8.38E-04 0.002 9.99E-04 25 264 0.0751 0.3861 6.86<br />
SDW TA20 LG1 42 2.1951 1.27E-04 0.004 9.99E-04 58 231 0.0682 0.5122 19.47<br />
SDW TS24 LG6 28 2.1546 0.0011 0.005 0.015 44 245 0.0722 0.4523 13.49<br />
RDW CaSTMS5 LG3 12 2.7537 0.0015 0.003 0.011 28 261 0.0086 0.3853 7.78<br />
RDW TA20 LG1 42 2.1174 2.50E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 58 231 0.0079 0.5 19.25<br />
RDW TA25 LG8 40 1.86 0.0025 0.006 0.039 56 233 0.0083 0.4751 16.76<br />
RDW TaaSH LG5 25 2.4046 3.36E-04 0.002 9.99E-04 41 248 0.0082 0.4426 13.51<br />
RDW GA26 LG13 15 2.3296 0.0039 0.003 0.022 31 258 0.0095 0.3324 9.04<br />
RDW GAA40 LG1 8 3.165 0.0019 0.002 0.007 24 265 0.0096 0.3081 6.61<br />
RDW TR24 LG3 31 2.1373 7.87E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 47 242 0.009 0.4049 16.29<br />
RDp TA135 LG3 30 2.2221 4.95E-04 0.002 9.99E-04 46 243 71.1432 0.2706 20.01<br />
TDW CaSTMS5 LG3 12 3.1847 2.86E-04 0.003 9.99E-04 28 261 0.1012 0.4828 7.57<br />
TDW GA26 LG13 15 2.9049 2.92E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 31 258 0.1005 0.4927 8.57<br />
TDW TA5 LG3 24 2.1512 0.0019 0.004 0.015 40 249 0.1008 0.5089 10.18<br />
TDW TA113 LG1 20 2.3748 0.0011 0.004 0.013 36 253 0.1008 0.5008 9.37<br />
TDW CaSTMS7 LG5 5 3.5513 0.004 0.005 0.045 21 268 0.1493 0.3467 4.33<br />
TDW GAA40 LG1 8 3.5276 6.75E-04 0.004 9.99E-04 24 265 0.1455 0.3704 6.7<br />
TDW TaaSH LG5 25 2.2265 0.001 0.005 0.015 41 248 0.1405 0.4311 12.77<br />
TDW CaSTMS9 LG6 9 3.0909 0.0015 9.99E-04 0.009 25 264 0.133 0.3814 6.52<br />
TDW CaSTMS21 LG1 11 2.5389 0.0046 0.003 0.049 27 262 0.1338 0.382 6.59<br />
TDW TA20 LG1 42 2.3964 2.10E-05 0.002 9.99E-04 58 231 0.117 0.5237 20.75<br />
TDW TS24 LG6 28 2.2322 6.24E-04 0.006 9.99E-04 44 245 0.1262 0.4552 13.9<br />
111
RL TA5 LG3 24 2.3773 4.84E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 40 249 405034.1 0.2882 16.31<br />
RL CaSTMS5 LG3 12 2.78 0.0014 9.99E-04 0.008 28 261 607890.7 0.1944 10.3<br />
RLD TA14 LG6 27 2.2292 7.44E-04 0.035 9.99E-04 43 246 5.90E-04 0.3692 15.43<br />
RLD) TA130 LG4 23 3.3634 1.16E-06 0.026 9.99E-04 39 250 5.52E-04 0.4004 18.55<br />
RLD TAA59 LG7 28 5.0201 8.48E-13 0.002 9.99E-04 44 245 4.69E-04 0.5011 28.62<br />
RV TA20 LG1 42 1.9134 0.0014 0.005 0.016 58 231 3.7971 0.4467 19.25<br />
RV TA22 LG3 42 1.9116 0.0014 0.004 0.014 58 231 3.798 0.4466 19.24<br />
RV TaaSH LG5 25 2.0933 0.0024 0.007 0.047 41 248 3.9365 0.3841 13<br />
RV TS43 LG5 37 1.9311 0.0019 0.003 0.012 53 236 3.8454 0.4275 17.33<br />
RV GAA40 LG1 8 3.3366 0.0012 0.004 0.01 24 265 5.2442 0.2194 7.86<br />
RSA CaSTMS5 LG3 12 2.9023 8.66E-04 9.99E-04 9.99E-04 28 261 20436.21 0.3021 9.31<br />
SDW=Shoot Dry Weight, RDW=Root Dry Weight (RDW), TDW=Total Plant Dry Weight, RDp=Root Depth, RL=Root Length, RLD=Root Length Density,<br />
RSA=Root surface area, RV=Root Volume.<br />
112
Output target 2.3.7: Germplasm sets evaluated for utilization in Africa (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Characterize core collection of finger millet and identify materials for regional evaluation<br />
Milestone 2.3.7.1: Promising and adaptable materials identified and distributed and evaluated in regional<br />
finger millet trials in the ESA (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
KARI-Kenya<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
A subset of 150-200 characterized finger millet accessions drawn from the 540 finger millet core<br />
collection that express variability in morphological traits and blast reaction composed and initial<br />
evaluation conducted in one site in Kenya: 158 finger millet accessions collected from 21 Kenyan<br />
districts (Baringo, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Embu, Homa Bay, Kakamega, Keiyo Marakwet, Kisii, Kuria,<br />
Laikipia, Machakos, Makueni, Meru, Nakuru, Nyamira, Samburu, Siaya, South Nyanza, Tharaka Nithi,<br />
Uasin Gishu and West Pokot districts) were characterized at Kiboko during <strong>2010</strong> long rains (LR) season.<br />
Quantitative data from Kiboko were subjected to ANOVA and fourteen traits (Days after flowering, finger<br />
width, finger length, flag leaf sheath length, flag leaf sheath width, leaf sheath length, leaf blade length, leaf<br />
blade width, number of fingers, number of leaves, number of productive tillers, peduncle length, panicle<br />
exsertion and plant height) showed significant differences at p=0.05. The earliest genotypes to flower were<br />
collections from Machakos district and the late flowering was from Baringo district with GBK-011111A<br />
flowering at 62 days after sowing and GBK-040467A flowering at 100 days, with a trial mean of 79 days.<br />
Average finger width was 1.045 cm with the widest and narrowest finger recorded in GBK-029767A (2.16<br />
cm) and GBK-043213A (0.65 cm) respectively. Mean finger length was 6.887 cm with a range of 3.75-12<br />
cm long in GBK-011118A (Machakos) and GBK-000375A (Kisii) respectively. Means and ranges of some<br />
important quantitative traits that had high significant differences recorded between the different accessions<br />
in the study included: Number of fingers (Mean=7, Range=6 – 10 fingers), Number of leaves (Mean= 13,<br />
Range=8-20), Number of productive tillers (mean=5 per plant, Range= 1-21 tillers per plant), Peduncle<br />
length (Mean= 26.14 cm, Range=18- 33.2 cm), Panicle exsertion (Mean= 15.14 cm, Range=7.6 – 26.8 cm)<br />
and plant height(Mean=101.9 cm , Range=44.4 - 146.4cm). The post harvest data is being finalized for<br />
analysis.<br />
Special project funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
Mary Mgonja , Henry Ojulong, E Manyasa P Sheunda, and J Kibuka<br />
Activity: Characterize a sorghum core collection from five African Bio-fortified Sorghum target for<br />
diversity in micro nutritional traits<br />
Milestone: African accessions of pearl millet reference collection characterized in West Africa (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Nigeria, Niger, Mali<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
LCRI, IER, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger<br />
113
Progress/Results:<br />
This Trust-funded project has been successfully completed with a final report which was appreciated by the<br />
donor; the respective manuscript preparation is in final stages (abstract copied below); data have been<br />
shared with the Trust and with Trushar Shah (<strong>ICRISAT</strong> database manager) for inclusion in a data base.<br />
Abstract. To promote utilization of West and Central African (WCA) genetic resources of pearl millet<br />
[Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.], and to enhance linkages between the Generation Challenge Program<br />
(GCP) and WCA pearl millet breeding programs, the present project aimed at agro-morphological<br />
characterization of selected accessions from the GCP pearl millet reference collection. A total of 81<br />
accessions from the collection were successfully multiplied via manual “sibbing” at Sadore (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-<br />
Niger) during the off-seasons 2008/2009 and February 2009. The 81 accessions comprised 78 cultivated<br />
landraces and three improved cultivars. The 78 landraces originated from 13 countries, namely Benin (1<br />
accession), Burkina Faso (8), Cameroon (6), Central Africa (1), Ghana (4), Mali (9), Mauritania (1), Niger<br />
(15), Nigeria (14), Senegal (1), South Africa (3), Sudan (10), and Togo (5). The three improved cultivars<br />
originated from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger (2) and from a joint <strong>ICRISAT</strong> / “Institut d’Economie Rurale” (IER, Mali)<br />
breeding program (1). In cooperation with Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI, Nigeria) and IER, 74 of<br />
the 81 accessions (depending on available seed quantity) were characterized together with 7 controls in the<br />
rainy season 2009 in field trials under low- and high-input conditions at Sadore (Niger), Maiduguri<br />
(Nigeria) and Cinzana (Mali). All 81 accessions were evaluated together with 18 controls for resistance to<br />
the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del.) Benth. in an artificially infested field at Sadore (Niger). The<br />
tested accessions revealed a wide range of genetic diversity for various traits. Several accessions were<br />
identified as sources for desired traits such as long awns, compact and dense panicles; grain color;<br />
earliness, tolerance to Striga, and wide adaptation. These accessions are being integrated in <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s and<br />
partner NARS’ breeding programs. The project thus has successfully contributed to use of genetic<br />
resources in the diversification of pearl millet breeding programs in Niger, Mali and Nigeria. Seed of all<br />
accessions and characterization data are available with <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Global Crop Diversity Trust<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Activity: Evaluate groundnut mini core collection/wild species in ESA<br />
Milestone 2.3.7.3: Wild Arachis evaluated for target traits (GRD, ELS, aflatoxin resistance) at hotspot<br />
locations in ESA (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from ESM<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.3.7.4: Gene introgression carried out for foliar and viral disease resistance from wild Arachis<br />
germplasm into cultivated varieties (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from ESM<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
114
Output 2.4: Genetic diversity and population structure of staple crops and small millets assessed and<br />
mapping populations, RILs developed and DNA extracts assembled, conserved and distributed and<br />
new knowledge shared with partners<br />
Output target 2.4.1 Genetic diversity and population structure of staple crops assessed (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Genotype composite collections for studying diversity and population structure<br />
Milestone 2.4.1.2: Diversity assessment of sorghum published (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, France and China<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru, CIRAD-France and CASS-China<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Efficiency of breeding mainly depends on the diversity of the parents selected for crossing. Evaluation and<br />
characterization are essential for efficient exploitation of available germplasm resources. However,<br />
selection of diverse parents based on agro-morphological variation may not be effective due to dependence<br />
of these characters on environmental conditions. Molecular characterization provides thus an environmentindependent<br />
alternative. We present here a first comprehensive study of the genetic diversity of a large<br />
composite collection of sorghum germplasm (3367 accessions), including landraces as well as breeding<br />
material, and covering all worldwide origins and racial characterizations. 41 SSR markers, regularly<br />
covering the Sorghum genome, exhibited 789 alleles, with an average of 19.2 alleles per marker. Genetic<br />
diversity sensu largo is organized according to racial classification within geographic origin. The largest<br />
numbers of alleles were detected among accessions from Africa (Table 7). This confirms the domestication<br />
region of sorghum, reinforced by the largest morphological diversity of cross-compatible wild and<br />
cultivated sorghum. Race bicolor was scattered across all clusters suggesting that it is the most<br />
heterogeneous (as expected of the original domesticate), whereas the remaining accessions were largely<br />
clustered according to their race in a given geographic origin. Concentration of most kafir accessions in a<br />
single South African cluster confirms that this is the most homogeneous among the five basic races. West<br />
African accessions of the margaritiferum sub-group within race guinea (Gma) clustered closely with wild<br />
accessions, suggesting they arise from an independent domestication event. Our study highlights new<br />
findings considering domestication origin of sorghum in Africa. The reference set can serve as an entry<br />
point to global sorghum germplasm collections and may prove useful for further allele mining.<br />
Special project funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Program<br />
P Ramu, C Billot, J-F Rami, S Bouchet, R Rivallan,<br />
L Gardes, M Deu, J Chantereau, Y Li, T Wang,<br />
P Lu, RT Folkertsma, HD Upadhyaya and CT Hash<br />
Table 7. Number of accessions and alleles in different biological groups, races, and geographic races<br />
of sorghum reference set<br />
Accession status, race or passport origin<br />
Number of accessions<br />
(% of total)<br />
Number of alleles<br />
(% of total)<br />
Status<br />
Wild or weedy 68 ( 2.0%) 509 (64.5%)<br />
Landrace 3013 (89.5%) 740 (93.8%)<br />
Breeding lines or advanced cultivars 280 ( 8.3%) 446 (56.5%)<br />
115
Number of accessions Number of alleles<br />
Accession status, race or passport origin<br />
(% of total)<br />
(% of total)<br />
Unknown 6 ( 0.1%) 164 (20.8%)<br />
Race<br />
Bicolor 195 ( 5.8%) 485 (61.5%)<br />
Caudatum 577 (17.2%) 541 (68.6%)<br />
Durra 651 (19.4%) 523 (66.3%)<br />
Guinea 365 (10.8%) 470 (59.6%)<br />
Kafir 239 ( 7.1%) 327 (41.4%)<br />
Intermediate 1159 (34.4%) 632 (80.1%)<br />
Unknown 115 ( 3.3%) 378 (47.9%)<br />
Passport origin<br />
Africa 1926 (57.3%) 689 (87.3%)<br />
Central Africa 224 ( 6.6%) 446 (56.5%)<br />
Eastern Africa 570 (16.9%) 578 (73.3%)<br />
Southern Africa 735 (21.8%) 511 (64.8%)<br />
Western Africa 397 (11.8%) 522 (66.2%)<br />
Asia 1010 (30.1%) 600 (76.0%)<br />
Eastern Asia 441 (13.1%) 443 (56.1%)<br />
Indian subcontinent 449 (13.3%) 460 (58.3%)<br />
Middle East 120 ( 3.6%) 401 (50.8%)<br />
North America 227 ( 6.7%) 526 (66.7%)<br />
Latin America 21 ( 0.6%) 201 (25.5%)<br />
Unknown 138 ( 4.0%) 343 (43.4%)<br />
Other 45 ( 1.3%) 329 (41.7%)<br />
<strong>2010</strong> 2.4.2<br />
Milestone 2.4.1.5: Datasets for groundnut and pigeonpea composite collections genotyping made available<br />
globally via the internet (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Databases of groundnut and pigeonpea composite collections were uploaded to GCP site and made<br />
available globally via the internet.<br />
HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone 2.4.1.6: Diversity and population structure of pearl millet composite collection analysed and<br />
reference set (300 accessions) established (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
116
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum [L.] R. Br.) is the sixth most important cereal, and is the main food source in the poorest regions<br />
of India and the African continent. It is endowed with enormous genetic variability for various morphological traits, yield<br />
components, adaptation and quality traits, and highly tolerant to heat and drought, saline and acid soils. To enhance the utilization<br />
of germplasm in crop improvement programs, a composite collection of pearl millet, consisting of 1021 germplasm accessions,<br />
has been developed from the world collection of 21,594 pearl millet germplasm held at Patancheru-based <strong>ICRISAT</strong> genebank in<br />
India. This composite collection was genotyped using 19 SSR loci spread across seven linkage groups of pearl millet to study<br />
genetic diversity and population structure and from it select a reference set of 300 most diverse accessions. The composite<br />
collection accessions were highly heterogeneous and up to 8 alleles were detected per locus. A total of 230 alleles were detected,<br />
of which, 102 were rare alleles (1%). Only seven alleles were unique in wild species whereas 30 in landraces (Table 8). The<br />
clustering pattern indicated that the accessions were largely grouped geographically but not by biological status. The released<br />
cultivars and breeding materials were scattered across different clusters. A reference set of 300 accessions was chosen using ‘Max<br />
length sub tree’ option of DARwin 5.0 based on Euclidean distance matrix derived from allele frequency values. The reference<br />
set has captured 94.8 per cent of the composite collection alleles (230). This reference set will be profiled with additional markers<br />
and extensively phenotyped for traits of economic importance to identify accessions with beneficial traits for utilization in pearl<br />
millet breeding and genomics.<br />
Special project funding: Generation Challenge Program<br />
HD Upadhyaya, CT Hash, RK Varshney,<br />
S Senthilvel, CLL Gowda, A Rathore and T Shah<br />
Table 8. Allelic richness in wild relatives and landraces of pearl millet composite collection<br />
Wild relatives<br />
Landraces<br />
Size<br />
range<br />
(bp)<br />
Major<br />
Allele<br />
(bp)<br />
Major<br />
Allele<br />
(%) Allele<br />
Size<br />
range<br />
(bp)<br />
Major<br />
Allele<br />
(bp)<br />
Major<br />
Allele<br />
(%)<br />
SSR Loci Allele<br />
Xpsmp2030 12 101-133 113 55 19 101-137 113 54<br />
Xpsmp2043 13 156-198 190 20 14 158-196 180 24<br />
Xpsmp2076 7 146-166 148 30 16 140-170 160 51<br />
Xpsmp2085 8 163-177 169 32 12 163-195 169 42<br />
Xpsmp2090 8 169-185 177 28 14 167-199 177 35<br />
Xpsmp2201 5 332-364 364 84 9 332-370 364 50<br />
Xpsmp2203 12 334-360 334 28 21 328-368 334 27<br />
Xpsmp2208 5 244-252 246 63 7 244-262 246 65<br />
Xpsmp2227 7 189-211 197 74 8 189-211 197 56<br />
Xpsmp2231 14 223-249 225 41 17 201-249 245 24<br />
Xpsmp2233 7 252-264 256 50 9 252-268 256 40<br />
Xpsmp2237 10 210-258 230 27 17 208-272 230 29<br />
Xpsmp2246 6 258-288 262 39 4 258-264 258 36<br />
Xpsmp2248 11 150-172 162 36 12 142-172 166 37<br />
Xpsmp2249 2 152-154 154 60 4 152-160 154 60<br />
Xpsmp2275 6 264-285 273 47 9 261-285 273 40<br />
Xicmp3017 7 181-211 193 31 12 175-211 193 43<br />
Xicmp3038 3 194-200 197 69 5 191-203 197 62<br />
Xicmp3048 2 244-248 244 81 5 236-250 244 77<br />
117
Milestone 2.4.1.7: Diversity assessment of pearl millet published (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Preparation of manuscript is in under preparation<br />
Special project funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Program<br />
HD Upadhyaya, CT Hash, RK Varshney,<br />
S Senthilvel, CLL Gowda, A Rathore and T Shah<br />
Milestone 2.4.1.8: Data sets for pearl millet, finger millet, and foxtail millet composite sets made available<br />
globally via Internet (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
• Pearl millet data templates consisting of 19399 (1021 accessions x 19 SSRs) SSR marker data<br />
points generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> delivered to GCP Central Registry and made available globally via<br />
internet<br />
• Finger millet data templates consisting of 19399 (1021 accessions x 19 SSRs) data points<br />
generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> delivered to GCP Central Registry and made available globally via internet<br />
• Foxtail millet data templates consisting of 9500 (500 accessions x 19 SSRs) SSR marker data<br />
points generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> delivered to GCP Central Registry and made available globally via<br />
internet<br />
Special project funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Program<br />
HD Upadhyaya, CT Hash, RK Varshney,<br />
S Senthilvel, CLL Gowda, A Rathore and T Shah<br />
Milestone 2.4.1.9: The diversity of the sources of resistance to the groundnut rosette virus in groundnut<br />
assessed and documented (2009)<br />
Progress reported - 75%<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from ESM<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
118
Progress/Results:<br />
Output target 2.4.2: Reference sets of small millets germplasm established (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Establish reference sets of small millets<br />
<strong>2010</strong> 2.4.3<br />
Milestone 2.4.2.2: Genetic diversity and population structure of foxtail millet composite collection assessed<br />
and reference set (200 accessions) established (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Foxtail millet (Setaria italica (L). P. Beauv.), once a major food crop in early agriculture of Eurasia, is now<br />
a minor cereal, reduced to a relic crop in many parts of the world. The information about the usefulness of<br />
foxtail millet germplasm in breeding is not available. Using passport and characterization data on entire<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> foxtail millet germplasm collection, a composite collection (500 accessions) was developed. This<br />
composite collection was genotyped using 19 SSRs in high throughput assay to detect genetic structure and<br />
diversity and from it extract genetically most diverse accessions to construct a reference set. Allelic data of<br />
19 SSR loci on 452 accessions detected 362 alleles, of which, 196 were common and 166 rare alleles<br />
(Table 9). Gene diversity varied from 0.012 to 0.670. A number of group-specific unique alleles were<br />
detected: 40 in Indica, 21 in Moharia, 10 in Pumila, and eight in Maxima among races, while among<br />
regions, 57 in South Asia, 17 in West Asia, 14 in East Asia, and three in Africa. The shared common alleles<br />
were 28 between Moharia and Indica, 16 between Maxima and Indica, nine between Maxima and Moharia,<br />
four between Moharia and Pumila, three each between Italica and Indica and Pumila and Indica. Regionwise<br />
shared common alleles were 43 between East Asia and South Asia, 24 between South Asia and West<br />
Asia, 4 between Africa and South Asia, three each between East Asia and West Asia and Africa and West<br />
Asia, and two between Africa and East Asia. A reference set of 200 genetically most diverse accessions<br />
was established, capturing 316 (87.3%) of the 362 alleles detected in the composite collection. This<br />
reference set would be useful in foxtail millet breeding and genomics.<br />
Table 9. Allelic composition, polymorphic information content (PIC), gene diversity, and<br />
heterozygosity in composite collection (19 SSR loci data on 452 accessions) of foxtail millet<br />
Marker Range Allele no<br />
Common<br />
alleles<br />
Rare<br />
alleles<br />
Heterozygo<br />
sity PIC Gene diversity<br />
P2 108- 130 10 7 3 0.183 0.582 0.624<br />
P13 150- 194 14 11 3 0.086 0.832 0.848<br />
P5 277- 310 10 8 2 0.135 0.544 0.564<br />
UGEP8 292- 300 5 4 0 0.012 0.114 0.115<br />
UGEP53 176- 284 35 18 17 0.407 0.907 0.913<br />
UGEP81 110- 236 30 9 21 0.122 0.712 0.745<br />
UGEP102 176- 206 11 7 4 0.155 0.603 0.639<br />
UGEP3 166- 208 22 15 7 0.311 0.754 0.765<br />
UGEP15 150- 238 31 23 8 0.239 0.919 0.923<br />
UGEP56 120- 174 24 9 15 0.219 0.521 0.542<br />
UGEP90 163- 269 28 13 15 0.086 0.635 0.650<br />
ICMMO2C24 316- 398 30 7 24 0.239 0.684 0.724<br />
119
ICMMO2D15B 132- 166 16 10 6 0.157 0.296 0.306<br />
ICMMO2D07 226- 256 11 9 2 0.635 0.791 0.814<br />
UGEP11 146- 176 13 7 6 0.115 0.257 0.264<br />
UGEP12 210- 248 19 8 11 0.291 0.849 0.864<br />
UGEP77 227- 291 33 20 13 0.670 0.853 0.863<br />
UGEP26 207- 240 12 8 4 0.125 0.334 0.340<br />
ICMMO2C05 184- 208 8 3 5 0.012 0.145 0.149<br />
Total - 362 196 166 - - -<br />
Mean - 19.1 10.3 8.7 0.221 0.596 0.6137<br />
Min - 5 3 0 0.012 0.114 0.115<br />
Max - 35 23 24 0.670 0.919 0.923<br />
Special project funding: Generation Challenge Program<br />
HD Upadhyaya, CT Hash, RK Varshney, S Senthilvel, CLL Gowda, A Rathore and T Shah<br />
2011 2.4.1<br />
Milestone 2.4.2.3: 2009 2.4.1 Datasets of composite collections of finger millet and foxtail millet<br />
genotyping made available globally via the internet (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Pearl millet data templates consisting of 19399 (1021 accessions x 19 SSRs) SSR marker data points<br />
generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> delivered to GCP Central Registry and made available globally via internet<br />
• Finger millet data templates consisting of 19399 (1021 accessions x 19 SSRs) data points<br />
generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> delivered to GCP Central Registry and made available globally via internet<br />
• Foxtail millet data templates consisting of 9500 (500 accessions x 19 SSRs) SSR marker data points generated at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> delivered to GCP Central Registry and made available globally via internet<br />
Special project funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Program<br />
HD Upadhyaya, CT Hash, RK Varshney,<br />
S Senthilvel, CLL Gowda, A Rathore and T Shah<br />
Output target 2.4.4: Germplasm reference sets available for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Ensure availability of reference collections of staple crops and small millets to partners<br />
Milestone 2.4.4.2: Germplasm accessions of pigeonpea and sorghum reference sets regenerated for<br />
distribution to partners on request (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
120
Progress/Results:<br />
Reference sets of sorghum (384 accessions) and pigeonpea (300 accessions) were regenerated and the seed<br />
is available for distribution to partners on request<br />
HD Upadhyaya, RP Thakur, R Sharma, CLL Gowda and NBPGR<br />
Output target 2.4.5: DNA extracts of mini core collections and reference sets of germplasm conserved<br />
for utilization (2011)<br />
Activity: Conserve DNA extracts of sub sets of germplasm for utilization<br />
<strong>2010</strong> 2.4.1<br />
Milestones: 2.4.5.1: DNA extracts of chickpea and groundnut mini core collections of germplasm<br />
conserved for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
DNA of chickpea (211 accessions) and groundnut (184 accessions) mini core collections was extracted and<br />
conserved for utilization<br />
HD Upadhyaya, RK Varshney and CLL Gowda<br />
Milestones: 2.4.5.2: DNA of pigeonpea, groundnut, and sorghum mini core collections and reference set<br />
extracted and made available on request (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
DNA of chickpea (300 accessions) and groundnut (300 accessions) reference set was extracted and<br />
conserved for utilization. Reference sets of pigeonpea (300 accessions) and sorghum (384 accessions) were<br />
planted in field to extract the DNA for conservation and utilization.<br />
HD Upadhyaya, RK Varshney, CT Hash,<br />
CLL Gowda and KB Saxena<br />
Milestones: 2.4.5.3: DNA of finger millet mini core collections and reference set extracted and made<br />
available on request (2012)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
121
Progress/Results:<br />
DNA of finger millet mini core collection and reference set was extracted and is available on request<br />
HD Upadhyaya, RK Varshney, CT Hash and CLL Gowda<br />
Output target 2.4.6: Broadening the genetic base of legumes through wide crosses (2011)<br />
Activity: Broadening the genetic base of groundnut by creating tetraploid groundnut using wild Arachis,<br />
synthetic amphidiploids and/or other diverse germplasm<br />
Milestone 2.4.6.1: Diploid hybrids between Arachis AA and BB genome generated and reference map of<br />
AA and BB genome constructed (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
No report for <strong>2010</strong><br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.6.2: Hybrids between cultivated groundnut and synthetic amphidiploids created, variation<br />
for different traits (Rosette and foliar diseases) analyzed and molecular map constructed (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Already reported in milestone 2.4.6.4.Will provide a detailed report in 2011<br />
Milestone 2.4.6.3: Develop hybrids between section Arachis and section Procumbentes and generate fertile<br />
backcross population and screen for desirable traits (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
To broaden the narrow genetic base of cultivated groundnut, and introduce useful traits, A. chiquitana from section Procumbentes<br />
was crossed with cultivated groundnut. The initial generation crosses were developed by hormone aided pollinations and rescuing<br />
the hybrid embryos in vitro. First few backcrosses were required as selfing was not possible. From BC 3 it was possible to obtain<br />
progenies from self pollinations. BC 3 F 4 material from the cross A. hypogaea x A. chiquitana were screened for aflatoxin<br />
production by growing the plants in pots. They were subjected to A. flavus by drenching the pots with the inoculum. Plants were<br />
harvested and pods collected and the seeds were screened for aflatoxin contamination by ELISA technique. Interestingly none of<br />
the seeds had any trace of aflatoxin. The screening will be repeated again in 2011, under field conditions, to confirm resistance.<br />
Our results have shown that it is possible to introgress A. flavus resistance and low aflatoxin production from A. chiquitana.<br />
However, we are confirming these results.<br />
Nalini Mallikarjuna, Harikishan Sudini and HD Upadhyaya<br />
122
Milestone 2.4.6.4: Tetraploid hybrids between synthetic and cultivated groundnut generated and molecular<br />
map generated for use in breeding program (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
There is ample evidence that groundnut has a narrow genetic base. In order to broaden the genetic base and<br />
introgress disease and pest resistance traits from wild Arachis species (diploid) to the amphidiploid and<br />
autotetraploid groundnut, synthetic tertaploids were produced at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and used in the crossing<br />
program with cultivated groundnut. Hybridization between selected tetraploid groundnuts was carried and<br />
BC 1 material generated. Amongst the five crosses reported in 2009 archival report, three crosses (utilizing<br />
ISATGR 1212, ISATGR 265-5 and ISATGR 278-18) were advanced further to develop F 1 BC 2 population.<br />
The selection was based on the cytological analysis of the F 1 hybrids (Figure 7) as well as seed set.<br />
Cytological analysis showed maximum recombination, high pollen fertility and good seed set. As BC 2<br />
generation is critical to develop ABQTL population, the experiment to obtain maximum number of<br />
pods/seeds from this generation is in progress. In <strong>2010</strong> experiments, a good recombination between<br />
cultivated groundnut and new sources of tetraploid groundnut generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> was observed and it is<br />
important in base broadening efforts.<br />
First row A. hypogaea x ISATGR 1212: leftmetaphase;<br />
center-anaphase; right-tetrads.<br />
Second row A. hypogaea x ISATGR 278-18: Leftmetaphase;<br />
center-anaphase; right-tetrads<br />
Third row A. hypogaea x ISATGR 265-5A: leftmetaphase;<br />
center-anaphase; right-tetrads.<br />
Figure 7. Meiosis in F1 hybrids<br />
Nalini Mallikarjuna, Rajeev Varshney and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Activity: Broaden the genetic base of pigeonpea using Cajanus platycarpus, a tertiary gene pool species<br />
of Cajanus<br />
Milestone 2.4.6.5: Generate variation for desirable characters using Cajanus platycarpus (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Cajanus platycarpus, a wild relative in the tertiary gene pool of pigeonpea, is known to have many<br />
desirable traits necessary for the improvement of cultigen. Advance generation lines are now available at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Screening experiments were conducted in <strong>2010</strong> to confirm the presence of disease and pest<br />
resistance as well as the presence of some novel traits. Advance generation stable lines were screened for a<br />
range of traits including resistance to pod borer, pod fly, bruchids, SMD and FW under unprotected field<br />
conditions. Advance generation stable C. platycarpus derivatives, which morphologically resembled<br />
123
cultivated pigeonpea, were screened for a range of desirable traits under <strong>ICRISAT</strong> field conditions. A<br />
sample of the data is presented in the figure 8 shown below. Lines continued to show low damage due to<br />
insects H. armigera, pod fly and bruchids. In some lines multiple insect resistance was observed (Figure 8<br />
line 3, 10, 11 and 12). Lab based bioassay with a few selected lines for bruchid resistance showed low<br />
oviposition (Figure 9 and antibiosis mechanism of resistance with malformed adults. SMD and FW<br />
resistance was observed in some lines. Selected lines were screened for water logging and resistant lines<br />
showed growth under water logged conditions and the formation of lenticels as the resistance mechanism<br />
(Figure 10). A few lines were screened for salinity tolerance and the resistant lines showed normal growth,<br />
formed normal number of pods when grown on soil supplemented with 30 mM NACL. Some of the lines<br />
showed distinctive features such as dwarf growth habit and white seed color. <strong>2010</strong> screening experiments<br />
have further confirmed the presence of insect and disease resistance, as well as the presence of some unique<br />
morphological traits.<br />
Fig. Low insect damage in C. platycarpus lines<br />
35<br />
30<br />
Pod damage ( %)<br />
25<br />
20<br />
15<br />
10<br />
5<br />
Heliothis<br />
Pod f ly<br />
Bruchid<br />
0<br />
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13<br />
Platycarpus lines- controls are show n in the 13th line<br />
Figure 8 showing Insect resistance in C. platycarpus derived lines under <strong>ICRISAT</strong> unprotected field<br />
conditions<br />
120<br />
100<br />
(%) Eggs laid<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
0<br />
ICPW-66<br />
ICPW-64<br />
A4-10-7-1<br />
A4-10-7-2<br />
A4-10-7-4<br />
A4-10-7-7<br />
A4-10-7-19<br />
A4-10-7-20<br />
Cont. ICP-85010 *<br />
Figure 9. Oviposition by female bruchid on C.platycarpus and its derivatives<br />
124
Figure 10. Formation of lenticels in water logged plants.<br />
Nalini Mallikarjuna, KB Saxena, L Krishnamurthy,<br />
HC Sharma, RK Varshney, R Sultana,<br />
GVR Rao, S Pande and M Sharma<br />
Output target 2.4.7: Allele specific sequence diversity in the reference sets staple crops studied (2011)<br />
Activity: Study allele specific sequence diversity in the reference sets of staple crops<br />
Milestone 2.4.7.1: Allele specific sequence diversity in the reference set of chickpea studied (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, France and Peru<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
CIRAD, INRA-CNG and CIP<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
In continuation of the work conducted in 2009, sequencing of 288 genotypes was completed for chickpea<br />
apetala2 (CAP2-which is the homolog of DREB2A), abscisic acid stress and ripening hormone (ASR),<br />
sucrose synthase (SuSy), sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) and ERECTA genes. The sequence diversity<br />
analyses showed that the CAP2 gene was highly conserved across the reference collection with no SNPs,<br />
while CAP2 promoter had only one SNP. In case of ASR gene, 34 SNPs were found while, the SPS gene<br />
had 3 SNPs. ERECTA gene fragment (7f-5r) had 13 SNPs, while 20 SNPs were found in case of ERECTA<br />
(8f-8r) fragment. Nucleotide diversity was highest in case of ERECTA gene fragments (0.0029), followed<br />
by ASR (0.0014) and SPS (0.0011). Four haplotypes were derived for candidate genes ASR, ERECTA (7f-<br />
5r) and SPS genes, while three haplotypes were recognized in case of ERECTA (8f-8r) gene fragment and<br />
only two haplotypes were found in case CAP2 promoter. The candidate gene sequencing based association<br />
genetics approach on reference collection of chickpea showed that association of two genes with drought<br />
tolerance traits. The gene “ASR” was found to be associated with shoot dry weight with 12% phenotypic<br />
variation and “CAP2 promoter” was found to be associated with shoot dry weight and root dry weight<br />
phenotypic variation 19.21% and 13.48% respectively.<br />
RK Varshney, SN Nayak, HD Upadhyaya, D This, D Hoisington<br />
Milestone 4.7.1.2: Allele specific sequence diversity in the reference set of sorghum studied (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited CTH<br />
125
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Output target 2.4.8: Development of genomic resources for SAT crops (2011)<br />
Activity: Development of molecular markers<br />
Milestone 2.4.8.1: Novel set of microsatellite markers developed and characterized for chickpea,<br />
pigeonpea and groundnut (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Germany and USA<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
JCVI, NCGR, UC-Davis and Uni. of Frankfurt<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Chickpea: Apart from SSR markers developed from SSR-enriched libraries (Nayak et al. <strong>2010</strong>, Theor<br />
Appl Genet 120: 1415-1441), BAC-end sequences (MS, under preparation) and EST sequences<br />
(Varshney et al. 2009, BMC Genomics 10:523), transcript assembly (CcTA) developed after using both<br />
Sanger ESTs and 454/FLX sequences reads were analyzed for developing SSR markers. On mining a total<br />
of 103,215 tentative unique sequences (TUSs) of CcTA, 26,252 SSRs were identified. Primer3 was used<br />
for designing primer pairs for the sequences containing SSRs. As a result, a total of 750 primer pairs were<br />
designed. However, after excluding mononucleotide and imperfect compound SSRs, primer pairs were<br />
synthesized for 80 SSRs. On screening these 80 novel SSR markers on five genotypes (ICC 4958, ICC<br />
1882, ICC 283, ICC 8261 and PI 489777), 71 were found functional. These results are part of the MS that<br />
describes the results of 454/FLX sequencing.<br />
In addition to above, based on allele re-sequencing and comparative genomics approach, additional set of<br />
genic molecular markers have been developed via identification of SNPs and their conversion into CAPS<br />
assay as well as intron spanning region (ISR) markers . For SNP discovery through allele re-sequencing,<br />
primer pairs were designed for 688 genes/ expressed sequence tags (ESTs) of chickpea and 657 genes/ESTs<br />
of heterologous (closely related to chickpea) species. High-quality sequence data obtained for 220 genes on<br />
2-20 genotypes representing 9 Cicer species provided 1,893 SNPs with an average frequency of 1/35.83 bp<br />
and 0.34 PIC value. On an average 2.9 haplotypes were present in 220 genes with an average haplotype<br />
diversity of 0.6326. SNP2CAPS analysis of 220 sequence alignments, as mentioned above, provided a total<br />
of 192 CAPS candidates. Experimental analysis of these 192 CAPS candidates together with 87 CAPS<br />
candidates identified earlier through in silico mining of ESTs provided scorable amplification in 173<br />
(62.01%) cases of which predicted assays were validated in 143 (82.66%) cases (CGMM). Alignments of<br />
chickpea unigenes with Medicago truncatula genome were used to develop 121 ISR markers of which 87<br />
yielded scorable products. In addition, optimization of 77 EST-derived SSR (ICCeM) markers provided 51<br />
scorable markers. These results have been included in a MS that has been communicated for publication in<br />
Theoretical and Applied Genetics (Gujaria et al. 2011).<br />
RK Varshney, PJ Hiremath, Ashish Kumar, Neha Gujaria<br />
Groundnut: In continuation to the earlier report on development of SSRs from BAC end sequences in<br />
collaboration with University of California, Davis (Doug Cook), out of the 4,869 SSRs identified, primer<br />
pairs were designed and synthesized for a total of 1,152 SSRs. All these primer pairs were used to screen<br />
parents of 12 mapping populations. As a result, 692 primer pairs provided scorable amplification and 184<br />
markers showed polymorphism across 16 genotypes. A total of 686 alleles were detected at 184 marker loci<br />
126
with an average of 3.7 alleles per marker. The number of alleles ranged from 2 (41 markers) to 14<br />
(FI281137 and FI299984) per marker. The PIC value for these 184 polymorphic markers ranged from 0.11<br />
(AhI498806) to 0.87 (FI299984) with an average of 0.39. Majority of these polymorphic markers (155/184,<br />
84%) were derived for SSRs with 3 to 12 repeats while 29 (16%) markers were derived for SSRs with<br />
higher number of repeat units (>12). In addition to the above, a total of 178 retro-transposon based and 72<br />
EST based primer pairs in collaboration with Dr. Sachiko Isobe, KDRI, Japan were synthesized and<br />
screened for amplification and polymorphism. With this set of the SSR markers, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> has a repository<br />
for 4735 SSR markers in groundnut.<br />
RK Varshney, B Gautami, K Ravi, MK Pandey, DR Cook and S Isobe<br />
Pigeonpea: In case of pigeonpea, a set of ca. 3200 genomic SSR markers was developed. These SSRs have<br />
been also tested for length polymorphism on a set of 22 parental genotypes of 13 mapping populations<br />
segregating for different traits. In total, 842 polymorphic SSR markers have been identified. Developed set<br />
of SSR markers has been made available public in the form of several research articles published in<br />
international journals like Plant Breeding, (Plant Breeding 129:142-148), Molecular Breeding (Molecular<br />
Breeding 26:371-380) and BMC Plant Biology.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Programme, Department of Biotechnology and Indian Council of Agricultural<br />
Research (Government of India)<br />
RK Varshney<br />
Activity: Development of molecular genetic maps<br />
2011 2.4.2<br />
Milestone 2.4.8.3: Molecular genetic maps and consensus maps based on SSRs, DArTs and EST-based<br />
markers developed for chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, Germany, Australia and USA<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
University of Frankfurt (Germany), University of California- Davis (USA), National Research Centre on<br />
Plant Biotechnology (NRCPB, India), National Institute for Plant Genome Research (India), DArT Pty Ltd<br />
(Australia)<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Chickpea: Genotyping data for polymorphic SSR, DArT and SNP markers generated at ICRSAT and<br />
obtained from collaborators on the inter specific mapping population ICC 4958 × PI 489777 was used for<br />
developing the reference genetic map. By using JoinMap v 4.0, a dense genetic map comprising of 1291<br />
marker loci has been developed. This is, probably, the most comprehensive genetic map of chickpea<br />
available so far.<br />
In addition, efforts have been made to develop the transcript map of chickpea. In this context, as mentioned<br />
in 2.4.8.1, 281 easily assayable markers including 143 CGMMs, 87 CISRs and 51 ICCeMs were screened<br />
on 5 parental genotypes of three mapping populations. As a result, 104 polymorphic markers were<br />
identified that includes 90 markers for the inter-specific mapping population. 62 of these GMMs together<br />
with 218 earlier published markers (including 64 GMM loci) and 20 unpublished markers could be<br />
integrated into the genetic map. The genetic map developed so, therefore, has a total of 300 loci including<br />
127
126 GMM loci and spans 766.56 cM, with an average inter-marker distance of 2.55 cM. This transcript<br />
map has been communicated for publication in Theoretical and Applied Genetics.<br />
RK Varshney, M Thudi, Abhishek Bohra, SN Nayak,<br />
Ashish Kumar, Neha Gujaria, Pooran Gaur, Hari D Upadhyaya,<br />
Sabhyata Bhatia, Güenter Kahl, Peter Winter and DR Cook<br />
Groundnut:<br />
A total of 3213 SSR markers available in public domain as well as unpublished markers available from<br />
different sources were screened on the parental genotypes of the three mapping populations (ICGV 86031 ×<br />
TAG 24, ICGS 44 × ICGS 76 and ICGS 76 × CSMG 84-1). Genotyping data generated for polymorphic<br />
markers were used for construction of three individual linkage maps. Number of mapped loci on these<br />
maps ranged from 87 to 191. Two versions of the genetic maps based on TAG 24 × ICGV 86031<br />
population have been published (Varshney et al. 2009, Theoretical and Applied Genetics 118: 729-739;<br />
Ravi et al. <strong>2010</strong>, Theoretical and Applied Genetics DOI 10.1007/s00122-010-1517-0). Subsequently, by<br />
using three genetic maps developed for three different mapping populations, a consensus genetic map was<br />
constructed with 293 marker loci spanning 20 linkage groups with a total map distance of 2840.8 cM using<br />
the software MergeMap (Table 10). Marker density ranged from 3.15 (LG20) to 19.86 (LG12) with a mean<br />
density of 9.96 cM per marker. Inter-locus distance ranged from 5.68 cM (LG14) to 22.7 cM (LG20), with<br />
average length of 11.08 cM per marker. Similarly, map length of different LGs ranged from 6.3 cM (LG20)<br />
to 293.37 cM (LG4) with a mean of 142.04 cM. Of the 293 mapped loci, 65.2% loci had marker intervals<br />
less than 10 cM, 26.9 % had interval distance between 11-30 cM while remaining 7.85% markers showed<br />
marker intervals more than 30 cM. Based on the common markers and the comparison between individual<br />
maps, majority of the linkage groups were consistent among the individual maps with few exceptions.<br />
RK Varshney, B Gautami, K Ravi, MK Pandey and DA Hoisington<br />
Table 10. Features of the consensus genetic map of groundnut prepared based on three RIL<br />
populations<br />
Consensus<br />
linkage group<br />
Mapped loci Length<br />
(cM)<br />
Consensus<br />
linkage group<br />
Mapped<br />
loci<br />
Length (cM)<br />
LG1 17 178.21 LG11 15 135.74<br />
LG2 16 96.21 LG12 8 158.9<br />
LG3 28 225.93 LG13 20 236.19<br />
LG4 16 293.37 LG14 11 110<br />
LG5 28 233 LG15 5 67.6<br />
LG6 16 157.95 LG16 10 51.14<br />
LG7 31 198.09 LG17 7 44.1<br />
LG8 19 105.9 LG18 11 102.6<br />
LG9 9 59.8 LG19 8 123.6<br />
LG10 16 256.17 LG20 2 6.3<br />
Pigeonpea: An interspecific mapping population (Cajanus cajan ICP 28 × C. scrabaeoides ICPW 94) has<br />
been targeted for developing the reference map of pigeonpea. Two separate groups of genetic maps on the<br />
basis of 554 DArT markers data were developed earlier and reported in 2009<strong>Archival</strong> <strong>Report</strong>. These results<br />
have been accepted for publication in Journal of Genetics. Subsequently, the same mapping population<br />
has been used for generating genotyping data for a total of 310 polymorphic SSR markers and 624 SNP<br />
markers, in collaboration with Doug Cook of University of California-Davis, USA. As a result, a dense<br />
genetic map has been developed that is comprised of 833 markers (624 SNPs and 209 SSRs) and a total<br />
map length of 1010.64 cM,<br />
In addition to above, five intraspecific F 2 mapping populations of pigeonpea (ICPA 2039 × ICPR 2447,<br />
ICPA 2043 × ICPR 2671, ICPA 2043 × ICPR 3467, ICPB 2049 × ICPL 99050, and ICP 8863× ICPL<br />
20097) have been used for developing the genetic maps for cultivated pigeonpea. After screening of 3072<br />
128
SSR markers and genotyping the mapping populations with polymorphic markers, genetic linkage maps<br />
have been developed for all the above five mapping populations. All the above linkage maps have 11<br />
linkage groups, and the number of mapped marker loci ranged from 60 (ICPB 2049 × ICPL 99050) to 140<br />
(ICPA 2043 × ICPR 3467). Construction of a consensus linkage map for the cultivated pigeonpea is in<br />
progress and will be completed as soon as possible.<br />
RK Varshney, Abhishek Bohra, RK Saxena, Anuja Dubey,<br />
Shi Ying Yang, Hari D Upadhyaya and Andrzej Kilian<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Programme, Department of Biotechnology and Indian Council of Agricultural<br />
Research (Government of India)<br />
Milestone 2.4.8.4: Molecular genetic maps and consensus maps based on SSRs, DArTs and EST-based<br />
markers developed for pearl millet (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from CTH<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.8.5: SSRs and EST-based marker positions identified on sorghum genome sequence,<br />
providing consensus map (2009)<br />
Progress not reported for 2009<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from CTH<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Output target 2.4.9: Data management infrastructure development (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Data capture instruments expanded and functionality increased<br />
Milestone 2.4.9.2: Data submission, curation and fulfilling database interoperability requirements,<br />
generation of crop-specific trait ontologies (2009)<br />
Progress reported:<br />
80%<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
129
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.9.3: Data availability through GUI, web services and ongoing curation and generation of<br />
crop-specific trait ontologies (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.9.4: Ongoing data submission, curation, using ontologies for trait data processing. (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Data sets have started to be uploaded into ICRIS data base.<br />
Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone 2.4.9.5: All components of the Information system for MAB designed and developed (2009)<br />
Progress reported:<br />
80%<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.9.6: Information system for MAB tested, alpha version released and user training (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.9.7: Information system for MAB beta-version released and user training (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
130
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Output target 2.4.10: Development of data analysis tools (2011)<br />
Activity: Enhancement of iMAS decision support system for MAB<br />
Milestone 2.4.10.1: iMAS version2.0 released (2009)<br />
Progress reported:<br />
90%<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Kenya, Sudan, Egypt, India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NA<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Project was finished and all milestones, except one were achieved. Final technical report of project has<br />
been submitted to GCP. However, during year <strong>2010</strong>, a total of 63 participants representing 12 countries<br />
from Asia and Africa were trained in use of iMAS.<br />
A Rathore<br />
Milestone 2.4.10.3: Open source data analysis tools for comparative genomics made available, wrapped as<br />
web services (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Milestone 2.4.10.4: Sequence data analysis tools enhanced, users trained on use of tools through<br />
bioinformatics workflows (2011)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India, USA, UK<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NCGR, TSL and University of Exeter<br />
131
Progress/Results:<br />
In addition to developing tools for sequence analysis, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> team in collaboration with NCGR, TSL and<br />
University of Exeter has started to develop bioinformatic tools and approaches for analyzing the next<br />
generation sequencing (NGS) data, as these technologies are generating large amount of sequence data.<br />
NGS technologies like Illumina/ Solexa, ABSOLiD in general generate short sequence tags (SSTs) that are<br />
aligned with the reference genome and SNPs are identified. Several bioinformatics tools have been<br />
developed in recent past to align the SSTs and identify SNPs. To identify the most appropriate tool and<br />
approach to identify the SNPs based on short reads, in a species like chickpea that doesn’t enjoy the<br />
availability of the reference genome, NGS pipeline has been developed after optimization of several tools<br />
and analytical approaches and is available at http://hpc.icrisat.cgiar.org/NGS/ .<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Programme<br />
Trushar Shah, Sarwar Azam, Vivek Thakur, R. Pradeep,<br />
A BhanuPrakash, B Jayashree, Andrew D Farmer, David J Studholme,<br />
Greg D May and Jonathan DG Jones and RK Varshney<br />
Milestone 2.4.10.5: Users trained to carry out data analysis through bioinformatics workflows (2012)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
<strong>Report</strong> awaited from TS<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Output target 2.4.11: RILs and mapping populations of staple crops assembled for utilization (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Assemble and make available for distribution the existent RILs of staple crops and small millets<br />
that are in the public domain in seed and DNA form<br />
Milestone 2.4.11.5: DNA of different RIL populations isolated (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
DNA of RILs of LLS and rust tolerance in groundnut, drought tolerance in chickpea and helicoverpa<br />
tolerance in pigeonpea was extracted and conserved.<br />
HD Upadhyaya and RK Varshney<br />
Milestone 2.4.11.6: Marker and phenotype databases for the available RIL mapping populations curated<br />
(<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
132
Progress/Results:<br />
RILs of chickpea and groundnut were phenotyped and data is available. Compilation of genotypic data is in<br />
progress.<br />
HD Upadhyaya<br />
<strong>2010</strong> 2.4.4<br />
Out put target 2.4.12: Agriculturally beneficial micro-organisms assembled for utilization with<br />
associated capacity development (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity: Assemble and conserve agriculturally beneficial microorganisms for utilization and distribution<br />
Milestone 2.4.12.1: Agriculturally beneficial microorganisms from diverse environments accessed and<br />
characterized for 6 different traits – P- solubilization, antagonism to disease-causing fungi, pathogenicity<br />
to insect-pest, siderophore production (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Evaluation and conservation of bacterial and actinomycete isolates, accessed from various herbal<br />
composts and sorghum and rice rhizosphere, for plant growth promoting traits including managers<br />
of insect pests, antagonists of fungal pathogens, P-solublization and siderophore production: This<br />
study was done in order to identify potential antagonistic Actinomycetes against Fusarium wilt in chickpea<br />
under field conditions. A total of 137 Actinomycetes, isolated from 25 different herbal vermicomposts,<br />
were characterized for their antagonistic potential against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri (FOC). Of<br />
them, five most promising FOC antagonistic isolates (CAI-24, -121, -127, KAI-32 and -90) were<br />
characterized by dual-culture assay for the production of siderophore, cellulase, protease, hydrocyanic acid<br />
(HCN), indole acetic acid (IAA) and antagonistic potential against Macrophomina phaseolina (Rhizoctonia<br />
bataticola), that causes dry root rot in chickpea (three strains viz. RB-6, -24 and -115) and sorghum (one<br />
strain), by dual-culture assay. All the five FOC antagonistic isolates produced siderophore and HCN, four<br />
produced IAA (except KAI-90) and two (KAI-32 and -90) produced cellulase and CAI-24 and -127<br />
produced protease. In the dual culture assay, three of the FOC antagonistic isolates, CAI-24, KAI-32 and -<br />
90 also inhibited all the three strains of R. bataticola, while two of them inhibited M. phaseolina (KAI-32<br />
and -90). When the FOC antagonistic isolates were evaluated further for their antagonistic potential in the<br />
greenhouse and wilt-sick field conditions on chickpea, 45−76% and 4−19% reduction of disease incidence<br />
was observed, respectively, over the control. The sequences of 16S rDNA gene of the isolates CAI-24, -<br />
121, -127, KAI-32 and -90 were matched with Streptomyces tsusimaensis, S. caviscabies, S. setonii, S.<br />
africanus and Streptomyces spp., respectively, in BLAST analysis. This study indicated that the selected<br />
Actinomycete isolates have the potential for biological control of Fusarium wilt disease in chickpea.<br />
A total of ten potential plant growth promoting isolates, 8 Actinomycetes (CAI-121- Streptomyces setonii,<br />
CAI-127- S. setonii, CAI-24- S. anulatus, CAI-68- S. flavogriseus, KAI-26- S. sampsoni, KAI-27- S.<br />
koyangensis, KAI-32- S. tendae and KAI-90- S. tendae) and 2 bacteria (PR-7- Pseudomonas libanensis and<br />
PR-4- P. fragi) were identified by 16S rDNA analysis.<br />
S Gopalakrishnan<br />
133
Milestone 2.4.12.2: Existing collection of agriculturally beneficial microorganisms conserved for medium<br />
and long-term storage system and annually 20% germplasm attended (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Conservation of already isolated plant growth promoting bacterial and actinomycete isolates for<br />
medium and long tem preservation: In the year <strong>2010</strong>, a total of 35 plant growth promoting bacteria and<br />
Actinomycetes were freeze dried in the ampoules for long term preservation. These were as follows:<br />
Bacteria- HIB-9, -19, 56, -67, -91, EB-27, -35, -67, -75, -77, SB-9, -21, CDB-58, -59, -35, LS-12, BCB-21,<br />
-114, SRI-156, -158, -178, -229 and -305; Actinomycetes- MMA-32, CAI-21, -24, -26, -68, KAI-27, -32<br />
and -90; Rhizobium- IC-59 and -2058 (chickpea rhizobia) and PR-4 and -7 (Pongamia rhizobia).<br />
S Gopalakrishnan<br />
Milestone 2.4.12.3: Requested agriculturally beneficial microorganisms distributed to bonafide users for<br />
utilization (Annual)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Production and supply of Rhizobium and other PGPR to <strong>ICRISAT</strong> as well as NRCS scientists: Over<br />
one thousand units (1009 units; one unit is sufficient to cover one acre of land) of carrier based different<br />
Rhizobium inoculants (chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut) were supplied on request to NARS, farmers and<br />
peer scientists at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> (Table 11). Further, two units of chickpea rhizobia (IC-76 and -2099) and one<br />
unit of Metarhizium anisopliae in agar based slopes were supplied to NARS scientists.<br />
S Gopalakrishnan<br />
Table 11. Agar based cultures supplied in the year <strong>2010</strong><br />
S. No Date Strain Name No. of slopes Person/Address<br />
1 30-9-<strong>2010</strong> Metarhizium anisopliae 1 Dr. C H Murali Mohan<br />
Dept. of Biotechnology<br />
GITAM Institute of Technology<br />
GITAM University, Visakhapatnam<br />
2 7-12-<strong>2010</strong> Chickpea Rhizobium strains IC 76 1 Dr R V Vyas<br />
Chickpea Rhizobium strains IC 2099 1 Research Scientist<br />
Department of Microbiology<br />
B A College of Agriculture<br />
Anand Agricultural University<br />
Anand-388110<br />
134
S. No Date Strain Name No. of slopes Person/Address<br />
Carrier based cultures supplied in the year <strong>2010</strong><br />
1 30-3-<strong>2010</strong> Groundnut Rhizobium strain IC 7001 1 E Manik Reddy<br />
Pigeonpea Rhizobium strain IC 4060 1 Farmer<br />
Chickpea Rhizobium strain IC 76 1 Bhanur, Medak (Dist.)<br />
2 24-05-<strong>2010</strong> Pigeonpea Rhizobium strain IC 4060 1 Dr Nalini Mallikarjuna<br />
Pigeonpea Rhizobium strain IC 3195 1 Senior Scientist,<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
3 16-11-<strong>2010</strong> Chickpea Rhizobium strain IC 76 2 Dr. L Krishnamurthy,<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
Scientist, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
4 20-11-<strong>2010</strong> Chickpea Rhizobium strain IC 76 1000 Dr. Suresh Pande<br />
Principal Scientist, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
4 8-12-<strong>2010</strong> Groundnut Rhizobium strain IC 7001 2 Dr Ratna Kumar<br />
Visiting Scientist, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
List of collaborating Scientist<br />
AB : A Bohra<br />
AD : A Dubey<br />
AK : A Kilian<br />
AK : A Kumar<br />
AR : Abhishek Rathore<br />
BG : B Gautami<br />
BS : B Sarathbabu<br />
BH : Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
BVSR : BVS Reddy<br />
CB : C Billot<br />
CLLG : CLL Gowda<br />
CRR : CR Ravishankar<br />
CTH : CT Hash<br />
DN : D Naresh<br />
DT : D This<br />
DAH : DA Hoisington<br />
DRC : DR Cook<br />
ESM : ES Monyo<br />
GK : G Kaul<br />
HS : H Sudini<br />
HCS : HC Sharma<br />
HDU : HD Upadhyaya<br />
JC : J Chantereau<br />
JFR : Jean-Francois Rami<br />
KA : K Anitha<br />
KR : K Ravi<br />
KBS : KB Saxena<br />
KSV : KS Varaprasad<br />
135
LG : L Gardes<br />
MD : M Deu<br />
MT : M Thudi<br />
MS : Mamta Sharma<br />
MS : Mansee Sriswathi<br />
MM : Mary Mgonja<br />
MKP : MK Pandey<br />
NG : N Gujaria<br />
NL : N Lalitha<br />
NM : Nalini Mallikarjuna<br />
NDRKS : NDRK Sharma<br />
PL : P Lu<br />
PR : P Ramu<br />
PSR : P Srinivasa Rao<br />
PW : P Winter<br />
PJH : PJ Hiremath<br />
PMG : PM Gaur<br />
PRKR : PRK Raju<br />
RR : R Rivallan<br />
RS : Rajan Sharma<br />
RDVJPR : RDVJ Prasada Rao<br />
RKS : RK Saxena<br />
RKV : RK Varshney<br />
RPT : RP Thakur<br />
RTF : RT Falkertsma<br />
SB : S Bhatia<br />
SBo : S Bouchet<br />
SGK : S Gopal Krishnan<br />
SI : S Isobe<br />
SS : S Senthilvel<br />
SYY : Shi Ying Yang<br />
SKC : SK Chakrabarthy<br />
SKS : SK Singh<br />
SKV : SK Varshney<br />
SNN : SN Nayak<br />
SP : Suresh Pande<br />
TW : T Wang<br />
TS : Trushar Shah<br />
VV : V Vadez<br />
YL : Y Li<br />
YN : Y Narasimhudu<br />
136
MTP Project 3:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Producing more and better food from the staple cereals and legumes of the<br />
west and central African (WCA) SAT (sorghum, pearl millet and<br />
groundnut) through genetic improvement<br />
Eva Weltzein Rattunde<br />
Output 1: Heterotic relationships identified within sorghum and pearl millet germplasm adapted to WCA<br />
conditions and appropriate broad-based breeding populations and hybrid parents and knowledge made<br />
available to NARS and other partners in order to maximise genetic gain from selection<br />
Target <strong>2010</strong>: 3.1.1<br />
Five new pearl millet and five sorghum inbred lines with good combining ability identified and<br />
characterized; seed made available to partners with associated capacity development for developing<br />
hybrid cultivars<br />
Pearl millet heterotic groupings based on combining ability estimates identified<br />
Rationale<br />
Building on the initial heterotic grouping of WCA pearl millet landraces undertaken in the BMZ-funded<br />
“Mobilizing regional diversity” project , the next step was to classify new WCA inbred lines into heterotic<br />
groups, for a more targeted use in hybrid breeding.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
141 testcrosses of new WCA inbred lines on two population testers from Senegal and Niger (with testers<br />
belonging to putative different heterotic groups) were evaluated at Sadore in rainy season <strong>2010</strong> to classify<br />
the respective inbred lines into heterotic groups (MSc thesis of Christof Böhm). The heterotic grouping was<br />
based on combining ability (CA) patterns.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Three groups were identified with i) high CA towards the tester of Niger but low or negative CA to the<br />
tester of Senegal (heterotic group 1), ii) high CA towards the tester of Senegal but low or negative CA<br />
towards the tester of Niger(heterotic group 2); and iii) high CA towards both testers (heterotic group 3). For<br />
certain materials, the grouping according to CA patterns corresponded to a grouping according to genetic<br />
distance of the inbred line’s parental populations as determined by SSR markers. In other words, CA<br />
analysis grouped lines derived from genetically distant landraces mostly, though not always, into different<br />
heterotic clusters. Also, the testcross trial revealed hybrids with significantly superior grain yield (127%)<br />
compared to the best open-pollinated checks.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The best crosses should be validated and developed further to become new varieties. The respective inbred<br />
lines should be multiplied and shared with partners, thereby underlining the importance of building hybrid<br />
breeding on the concept of heterotic groups.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Sweet Sorghum hybrid parents tested for adaptation in WCA<br />
Rationale<br />
One of the objectives of the IFAD biofuels project “Linking the poor to global markets: Pro-poor<br />
development of biofuel Supply Chains” is to identify promising hybrid parents for sweet sorghum hybrid<br />
development. A number of promising male parents identified during the 2007 and 2008 variety evaluations<br />
were used for test-crosses in 2009.<br />
137
Materials and Methods<br />
Altogether five sweet sorghum A-lines from the Patancheru breeding program and eight sweet sorghum<br />
varieties were used in test crosses for hybrid development at Samanko: 5 Malian landraces, one caudatum<br />
sweet sorghum type with favorable grain quality from the CIRAD collection and two IS germplasm lines.<br />
F1 seed was shared between the IER breeding program and the Samanko program for evaluation of fertility<br />
restoration and sugar-yield related traits. In total, 48 test crosses between Patancheru sweet sorghum A-<br />
lines and high-potential sweet sorghum varieties and germplasm lines were evaluated by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and IER<br />
for fertility restoration and desirable sweet sorghum traits at both Samanko and Sotuba in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Preliminary results show that F1 hybrids derived from the bicolor parents were the most promising for<br />
sugar-yield related traits. Different levels of fertility restoration by the male parents were observed in the<br />
various combinations, tending towards sterility maintenance for the bicolor types and fertility restoration<br />
for the caudatum types. Data has not yet been completely analyzed. A/B-lines were shared with IER<br />
scientists at Sotuba who have a strong interest in developing specific sweet sorghum ideotypes with high<br />
sugar and biomass potential. For the <strong>2010</strong>/11 off-season, IER planned several test-crosses for further<br />
analysis of fertility restoration and performance.<br />
Conclusions<br />
In view of the high biomass and sugar potential (brix>16%), the juiciness and vigorous appearance of<br />
hybrids derived from the male parent “local de Namakan”, it would be interesting to transform this variety<br />
into an A-line (high frequency of male sterile plants in hybrid). Experienced breeders at IER are weighing<br />
up whether to integrate this activity into their hybrid development program.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Sorghum hybrid parents characterised for the Sudanian and Guinea zones of West Africa<br />
Rationale<br />
A set of sorghum hybrid parents bred in Mali over the past ten years by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and IER is now available<br />
for hybrid production. The general and specific combing ability of these lines were characterized to<br />
identify superior lines for hybrid development and to choose lines as source material for breeding the next<br />
cycle of hybrid parents.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A total of 60 hybrids produced with five females parents (3 Inter-racial and 2 Guinea) and 12 males parent<br />
(6 Inter-racial and 6 Guinea) were tested together with 6 check varieties using alpha lattice design with<br />
three (2007) or four (2008) reps in four environments (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko Low-P and High-P, IER-Sotuba,<br />
and IER-Cinzana). Grain yield was measured and REML and Regression procedures of GENSTAT were<br />
used for the analysis.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The general combining ability (GCA) values for male parents showed more consistency over the six<br />
environments from Samanko and Sotuba stations, located at 12 N latitude (Table), as compared the more<br />
northerly Cinzana site (13 N latitude). The mean GCA values computed over the Samanko and Sotuba<br />
sites showed a wide range with of large agronomic importance. For example, the male parent ‘Lata’ gave a<br />
308 kg ha-1 yield advantage, on average, over all hybrids in which this line was a parent.<br />
The male parents with the best combining abilities were of derived from Guinea-Caudatum inter-racial<br />
crossing and from a Guinea-race population which is expected to have between 75 to 87.5% Guinea race<br />
genetic background. Both Guinea landrace parents as well as Caudatum-race parents showed very poor<br />
combining ability. Some correlation between shorter stem internode lengths and combining ability was<br />
observed among this set of male-parents, with the 3 highest GCA lines having short to intermediate<br />
internode lengths whereas the 5 lowest GCA lines all had longer internode lengths.<br />
138
The female parents however showed a different pattern, with the tall landrace parent ‘FambeA’ showing<br />
highest GCA in the two low-P environments whereas the shorter inter-racial parent 97-SB-F5DT-150A had<br />
the highest GCA values in the high-P environments at both Samanko and Sotuba.<br />
Conclusion<br />
The Guinea Population derivative ‘Lata’ and Guinea-Caudatum inter-racial line 02-SB-F4DT-298 showed<br />
the highest GCA values among the male lines, and thus should be used for future hybrid development and<br />
as source material for R-line breeding.<br />
Table 1. General combining ability values for grain yield in gm -2 of 12 male parents in each of seven<br />
environments, and the mean across all environments excluding C07<br />
Origin - Racial<br />
Type Males C07* L07 L08 S07 H08 S08 H07 Mean<br />
00-KO-F5DT-19 9 15 21 -23 45 -84 -1 -4.5<br />
Caudatum MALISOR-92-1 37 -5 -22 -17 50 -46 0 -6.7<br />
02-SB-F4DT-298 15 2 15 46 14 70 -4 23.8<br />
02-SB-F5DT-189 12 -40 -52 -13 -30 -72 -32 -39.8<br />
Inter-racial GRINKAN -8 9 30 23 40 51 17 28.3<br />
Guinea<br />
Population<br />
Guinea landrace<br />
CGM-19/9-1-1 -29 12 39 -6 -10 52 16 17.2<br />
LATA 3 Bala -36 16 27 71 8 27 36 30.8<br />
CSM-388 -16 -15 -16 -28 -72 -84 -16 -38.5<br />
CSM-63E 13 -12 -7 -43 -52 -33 12 -22.5<br />
IS 6731 -12 5 -36 -32 -48 -42 -14 -27.8<br />
SEGUETANA 12 -7 -38 -6 -14 -49 -7 -20.2<br />
se mean 14 12 11 12 16 16 15<br />
Trial mean grain yield<br />
g/m2 207 70 186 190 221 238 282<br />
*C,L,H,S denote Cinzana, low_P and high_P Samanko, and Sotuba; 07 and 08 denote 2007 and 2008<br />
Fred Rattunde, Abdoulaye Diallo and Eva Weltzien<br />
Diversifying hybrid parents for plant height, and for other production ecologies<br />
Rational<br />
Hybrid testing in Mali and Nigeria has shown that locally adapted male and female parents are essential for<br />
achieving superior grain yields with preferred grain qualities. Diversifying the hybrid parents is needed to<br />
broaden the target domains for hybrids in West and Central Africa and exploit the heterotic potential within<br />
the West African sorghum germplasm. Specific traits needed include reduced plant height of both male and<br />
female parents, and better grain and glume characteristics, including larger grain size for Nigeria.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Crosses were made at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Mali with bold grain parents. A total of 29 F2 populations were sown at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko in 2009 for conducting single plant selection. A total of 87 plants of shorter height<br />
were selected out of 25 of the F2 populations in 2009. These 87 progenies were sown head to row in two<br />
replicates and single plant selection was conducted in most progenies. F2 populations were also provided to<br />
IAR-Samaru, Nigeria and pedigree selection was practiced in 2009 and <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
A total of 183 F4.3 progenies were selected. The majority of selected progenies show much larger grain<br />
size than any of the currently available hybrid parents. The 52 progenies selected from the Fara Fara 12<br />
and CK 60B cross and seven dwarf progenies of the IS 15401 x Ck60B cross will be testcrossed to identify<br />
which express the maintainer reaction. These lines would be used to produce the urgently need larger<br />
139
grained, well adapted, female seed-parents for producing new hybrids for Nigeria. The remaining<br />
progenies will be evaluated as potential male parents.<br />
Fred Rattunde and Eva Weltzien<br />
Target 2011: 3.1.1<br />
Six sorghum hybrids for at least two countries in West Africa identified, release relevant information as<br />
well as parental seed made available to partners<br />
Multi-location testing of sorghum hybrids in the Sudanian zone<br />
Rational<br />
Adaptation and acceptable yield performance over diverse environments in the target zone is a requirement<br />
for commercially viable hybrids. Multiple environment testing over differing soil fertility levels, sowing<br />
dates and Striga infestation is necessary to determine hybrid productivity and stability. Additionally, the<br />
temptation of West African farmers to sow F2 seed makes the hybrid F2 performance also of interest.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A series of initial and advanced multi-location hybrid evaluation trials were conducted in collaboration<br />
with the national programs in Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria in 2009 and <strong>2010</strong>. The initial trials, with 30<br />
entries, including checks, were conducted only on experiment stations. Advanced testing of hybrids and<br />
varieties was done in Short- and Tall-Height trials both on-station and on-farm. A total 14 sorghum hybrids<br />
were tested in 11 farmer managed trials in Mali over 2009 and <strong>2010</strong> with four replicates per site. Data was<br />
collected on rainfall, soil Bray P1, and agronomic performance traits, focusing on grain yield. Separate<br />
trials comparing F1 and F2 hybrid performance were conducted at Samanko and Sotuba in 2008 and 2009.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The two highest yielding hybrids were Fadda (12A x Lata) and 97-SB-F5DT-150A x Grinkan, with 3.0<br />
t/ha mean grain yield over the initial on-station trials in 2009. The landrace check variety CSM388, in<br />
comparison, had only 2.3t/ha yield.<br />
Short hybrids gave an average yield superiority of 20% and the best hybrids more than 30% superiority<br />
over the well adapted local check ‘Tieble’ across all on-farm trials in both the Dioila and Mande zones in<br />
2009 with repeatabilities over 0.40 (Table1). Tall hybrids showed smaller yield advantages.<br />
Analysis of F1 and F2 hybrid yields over 5 environments showed F2 yield decreases differed depending on<br />
type of parent combinations. Severe F2 yield reduction was observed for Sewa, based an inter-racial<br />
parents, whereas no yield loss was observed for Pablo, based on Guinea-race parents.<br />
A total of 20 farmers were supported in <strong>2010</strong> with provision of parental seed for hybrid seed production,<br />
field protocols and visits. Hybrid seed production was introduced in the more market-oriented Dioila zone,<br />
and expanded in the Mande zone. Three one-day training workshops on hybrid seed production were<br />
conducted in Mali by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and IER.<br />
Table 1. Mean grain yields (t/ha) and percent superiority of hybrids and varieties in 11 Short- and<br />
Tall-Plant Height on-farm trials conducted in the Dioila and Mande zones of Mali, 2009<br />
Dioila Means over 5 Trials Mande Means over 6 Trials<br />
Yield<br />
Superiority* Yield<br />
Superiority*<br />
Short Hybrids<br />
(t/ha) Name (%)<br />
(t/ha) Name (%)<br />
All Hybrids (n=8) 1.9 26 2.3 23<br />
Best Hybrid 2.0 Mona 32 2.8 Sewa 51<br />
Local Check 1.5 Tieble 1.9 Tieble<br />
Tall Hybrids<br />
All Hybrids (n=7) 2.0 7 1.8 16<br />
Best Hybrid 2.2 Caufa 21 1.9 Caufa 26<br />
Local Check 1.9 Tieble 1.5 Tieble<br />
* Percent superiority over well adapted landrace check ‘Tieble’<br />
140
Table 2. Grain yield and percent superiority of hybrid F1 and F2 relative to landrace check means<br />
(CSM388 and Tieble) across 5 trials at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko and IER-Sotuba, 2008 and 2009<br />
F1 Yield F1<br />
F1 Yield F2<br />
Hybrid Pedigree Type* (t/ha) Superiority% (t/ha) Superiority%<br />
Sewa 150Ax02-F4DT-298 IRxIR 3.6 36 2.2 -17<br />
Fadda 12AxLata IRxG 3.6 36 3.1 17<br />
Pablo FambeAxLata GxG 3.5 32 3.5 32<br />
*Type: IR denotes Inter-racial, G denotes Guinea-race<br />
Striga susceptibility, as measured by the cumulative Area Under Striga Number Progress Curve<br />
(AUSNPC), tended to be higher for later maturing hybrids in <strong>2010</strong>. Among the short hybrids in <strong>2010</strong>,<br />
Mona (PR3009A x Lata) had the lowest susceptibility (24,000) and was comparable to the local check<br />
‘Tieble’. Sigui Kumbe ((150A x 00-KO-F5DT-19) and Yougo (12A x CGM19/9-1-1) (43,000, se 4,300)<br />
were the most susceptible. Among the tall hybrids, Pablo (FambeA x Lata) had the lowest (32,000) and<br />
Omba (FambeA x IS6731) (40,000) and Caufa (FambeA x CGM19/9-1-1) (50,000) had the highest<br />
AUSNPC, relative to Tieble (36,000, se 5,300).<br />
Conclusions<br />
The hybrid Fadda has shown superior and stable yields and relatively lower yield reduction of its F2.<br />
Fred Rattunde, Eva Weltzien, Abdoualye Diallo and Felix Frey<br />
Target 2011: 3.1.2<br />
Five pearl millet inbred lines, and 2 populations with high general combining ability backcrossed into<br />
male-sterility inducing A4 cytoplasm<br />
Identifying restorer lines in inbred lines derived from WCA Pearl millet germplasm<br />
Rationale<br />
Previous research has shown that presently available male-sterile pearl millet lines are too early flowering<br />
and insufficiently adapted to WCA growing conditions. Therefore the need to develop new, adapted male<br />
sterile lines WCA genetic background. An important step in this direction is the classification of new WCA<br />
inbred lines into maintainer and restorer for different male-sterility conferring cytoplasms.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Analysis of data derived from the evaluation of 30 testcrosses of new WCA inbred lines on male-sterile line<br />
17A (A-Aegps cytoplasm) in the rainy season 2009 provided initial evidence for lack of restorer types on<br />
A-Aegps cytoplasm in WCA germplasm (MSc thesis C. Böhm). To validate these initial findings, and<br />
broaden the germplasm base, the following number of crosses were successfully produced in the off-season<br />
2009/10: 138 crosses of new WCA inbreds on cms line 14A (A1 cytoplasm), 124 on cms line 17A (A-Aeps<br />
cytoplasm), and 113 crosses on cms line LCICMA7 (A4 cytoplasm). The testcrosses were evaluated<br />
together with checks at Sadore under well-fertilized field conditions during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. A MSc<br />
student (Bachir Issoufa) from CRESA (Univ. of Niamey, Niger) has helped collecting the data. Data<br />
analysis is still underway.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Initial results from the <strong>2010</strong> trials confirm a general lack of reliable restorer genotypes in the WCA<br />
germplasm for all three cytoplasms tested. Only a few lines seemed to segregate for fertility restoration and<br />
will need to be selfed and investigated further to obtain lines with genetically fixed restorer alleles for the<br />
three cytoplasms. Alternatively, a new project may be developed to transfer restorer alleles from Indian<br />
germplasm into WCA material, using marker-assisted selection.<br />
Conclusions<br />
All 206 available WCA inbred lines have been advanced in the off-season 2009/10 and are presently again<br />
advanced in the off-season <strong>2010</strong>/11. Final data analysis of the <strong>2010</strong> testcross trials on cms lines is required<br />
141
to plan conversion of new WCA lines into male-sterile/maintainer (A/B) line pairs. This will be started in<br />
the second off-season (planting early February 2011)<br />
Bettina IG. Haussmann<br />
Output 2: Improved methodologies developed for integrating breeding of groundnut, sorghum and pearl<br />
millet populations and varieties with crop management strategies to overcome key environmental and<br />
socio-economic constraints and making them available with new knowledge to partners<br />
Target <strong>2010</strong>: 3.2.1<br />
Tools for farmer participatory recurrent selection tested for pearl millet and sorghum with partners with<br />
associated capacity development in different agro-ecologies. (associated with PRGA SWEP)<br />
Assessing genetic grain from recurrent selection in pearl millet populations under Sahelian target<br />
conditions<br />
Rationale<br />
Different options exist to enhance development of appropriate breeding populations and new experimental<br />
cultivars with farmers participation and thereby building on farmer’s knowledge. The McKnight-<br />
Foundation funded breeding project aimed at developing an initial strategy for efficient farmerparticipatory<br />
pearl millet improvement. Specific research questions were (i) after two cycles of selection<br />
using different on-farm and on-station selection methods, which method was most efficient for enhancing<br />
yields; (ii) what are the advantages and disadvantages of the various selection methods used; (iii) which<br />
agro-morphological traits changed during the selection; (iv) do farmer-selected varieties adapt beyond their<br />
sites of selection; (v) what is the extend of genotype x environment interaction (GxE) in on-station versus<br />
on-farm trials and what are the implications of the observed GxE for participatory pearl millet<br />
improvement?<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The study was initiated by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in 2006 at three pilot sites in Niger. Site-specific base populations<br />
were created in the off-season 2006/07 using materials selected by farmers in the rainy season 2006. In<br />
2007, two to four farmers per site did on-farm simple mass selection (SMS) in subsamples of the<br />
populations. In 2008, five different selection methods were applied: on-farm SMS, on-farm mass selection<br />
with parental control (SMC), on-farm full-sib family (FSF) selection, on-station FSF selection, and<br />
combined FSF selection (on-station and on-farm). In 2009, multi-location selection progress trials were<br />
conducted both on-farm and on-station.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Results showed that two cycles of SMS can significantly increase grain yield in individual cases, depending<br />
on the selection efficiency of the participating farmer-breeder. The more sophisticated FSF and SMC<br />
weren’t more efficient than SMS. Farmer selection resulted into shorter and more compact panicles, shorter<br />
plant height, better panicle exertion and in some cases higher grain yield. Biplots combining on-station and<br />
on-farm data revealed for two pilot sites that on-farm selected varieties performed better on-farm while onstation<br />
selected cultivars performed better on-station, underlining the importance of testing breeding<br />
materials on-farm. Certain varieties selected on-farm, including one selected exclusively by women, were<br />
performing above-average and achieved high farmer preference indices also at other sites, indicating the<br />
potential adaptability of farmer-selected cultivars beyond their site of selection.<br />
Conclusions<br />
As two seasons were insufficient to reliably measure selection progress in the highly variable Sahelian<br />
environments, it is recommended to continue the selection for two or three more cycles to derive final<br />
conclusions regarding the best strategy for participatory pearl millet improvement in WCA.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
142
Best-bet soil fertility management options and their interactions with genotype identified for the Sahelian<br />
zone in Niger<br />
Rationale<br />
One of the constraints to agricultural production in the Sahel is low or absence of utilization of external<br />
input due to their limited availability or high price. To help increase the rate of on-farm application of<br />
sources of nutrients, the so-called fertilizer microdosing technology was developed and demonstrated in<br />
farmers’ field with promising results. Organic amendments constitute the principal source of nutrients for<br />
agriculture. Hill application of manure combined with mineral fertilizer microdose would be an optimal<br />
way to gain the best from the potentials of both fertilizers, but also assure that there is enough manure for<br />
wider area to sustain crop production. Combination of best genotypic potential of a crop with such<br />
technology could be the key to increased crop production. The present work funded by the HOPE project<br />
seeks to determine the optimal combination of the genotype, fertilizer microdosing and organic amendment<br />
application that would favor the expression of the yield potential of millet crop.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Ten millet genotypes where evaluated under the combination of four mineral and organic fertilizer<br />
management options in a split plot design laid in three replications. The experiment was conducted at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> station at Sadore and at two INRAN research stations (Kollo, approximately 30 km from Sadore;<br />
and Maradi, approximately 600 km East of Niamey). The field at Sadore was purposely selected for low<br />
level of Bray P1 (Table 1). However it was a field under fallow cleaned for the purpose of the experiment.<br />
The same experiment was conducted as baby trials in a participatory manner with farmers of 4 localities in<br />
Western Niger (Bokki, Falwel, Tera and Dantchandou) and three localities in Eastern Niger (Serkin<br />
Haoussa, Sae Saboua and El Kolta). Eight millet genotypes were tested under various combinations of soil<br />
fertility management. During the cropping season and before harvest, the crops were evaluated with the<br />
farmers who ranked the treatments according to their appreciation.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Table 1: Soil characteristic of the experimental field at Sadore, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
Depth pH H2O Organic C Total N (mg N/kg) Bray P1<br />
(cm) (1:2.5) (%)<br />
(mg P/kg)<br />
10 5.5 0.3 247.4 4.2<br />
20 5.7 0.2 119.9 3.5<br />
Soil data of the two other sites are being analyzed. However, prior to the selection, they were reported as<br />
having low fertility, which is reflected in crop yield obtained. Grain yield was especially low on average at<br />
Maradi (206 kg/ha), compared to 953 kg/ha at Sadore.<br />
Genotype differences were observed. At Sadore MIL.DE.SIAKA".(=PE05578-C2), SOSAT-C88, and<br />
PE05572.(KADO.NIO.DE.MALI) outperformed the other genotypes, but this trend was not consistent over<br />
the two other sites (Figure 1) . Slight yield increase was observed due to mineral and organic fertilizer<br />
application but the differences were statistically significant only at Maradi.<br />
In the on-farm trials. grain yield obtained was 1000 kg/ha on average at Bokki and Falwel due to combined<br />
effect of 200g of organic manure and 2g of DAP or 6g of NPK per hill . Grain yield at Serkin Houssa and<br />
Sae Saboua were as high as 1500 kg/ha on average. According to farmers’ appreciation hill application of<br />
manure brings additional work however it is a good practice as it increases crop yield. Among the varieties<br />
tested ICMV 89305, ICMV 99001 and PE05578-C2 performed very well on all the sites however they were<br />
not better than the local variety. The analysis of the soil samples collected on each site as well as manure<br />
samples will help us to better understand the tendencies observed. The analysis is specific genotype by<br />
fertilization interaction remains to be analyzed.<br />
143
Conclusion<br />
Treatments identified together with the farmers will be tested in the coming rainy season.<br />
Fatondji Dougbedji<br />
Training courses for partners (NARS, ONG, OP) in participatory variety selection methodology<br />
Rationale<br />
Participatory variety evaluations and selection methods are widely used in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> collaborations in<br />
WCA. It is important to build on each others experience and to harmonize these procedures used by<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> and its partners in the region. Training workshops allow the different actors of the projects to<br />
contribute to a common understanding of the aims and purposes of participatory evaluations as well as an<br />
understanding of the prevailing conditions, and approaches. Training workshops enable protocols for<br />
evaluations to be harmonized, reviewed, developed, and adapted to the specific objectives of each trial<br />
or specific situation/condition of the location.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
These training courses were focused on the training of partners (researchers, technical staff, farmer leaders,<br />
NGOs, extension services) in the use of participatory tools and strategies. The program included:<br />
1. April Workshop (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, conducted in French)<br />
• How to identify the target site: Village characterization and identification of constraints, choice of<br />
farmers, choice of fields)<br />
• Trial implementations and quality control of trials<br />
• Data monitoring<br />
• Evaluation and monitoring methods (classifications, scoring)<br />
• Data entry<br />
2. October workshop (Mali, Burkina Faso participants, conducted in French and Bambara) in collaboration<br />
with FFEM 2 project<br />
• Roles of different participants during PVS activities<br />
• Stages of the breeding cycle and priority setting<br />
• Open ended evaluation<br />
• Whom to invite to PVS evaluations<br />
• Ranking and scoring tools<br />
• Evaluation and selection (voting) of varieties during PVS trials<br />
• Development of PVS strategies and protocols<br />
3. December workshop in collaboration with EU-IFAD project (with participants from Nigeria, Ghana,<br />
India, conducted in English))<br />
• Factors contributing to increasing adoption of new varieties and impacts<br />
• Tools for variety evaluation<br />
• Methods of questioning: Open questions and probing questions<br />
• Tools of evaluation: scoring and ranking<br />
• Planning PVS activities (Objectives, target conditions, Responsibilities)<br />
• Types of varieties and trials<br />
• Diagnostic tools (Venn diagram, mapping)<br />
• Seed systems<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Five-day training courses on participatory variety evaluation and breeding for pearl millet and sorghum<br />
were conducted in April, October and November of <strong>2010</strong> within the framework of the Hope Project<br />
(objectives 2, 3 and 6) and the Agrobiodiversity project (CIRAD/<strong>ICRISAT</strong>). The courses took place in<br />
Mali and each course attracted 20 to 35 participants from partner organizations from various countries<br />
(Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Nigeria). Consequently, the participants were able to return to their<br />
144
countries and train local partners of the project at suitable locations across West Africa. Training courses<br />
for trainers will continue next year. Furthermore, concepts are being developed with the aid of the<br />
McKnight Foundation to harmonize data management and data bases across the region. A number of<br />
practical guides have since been developed which are to be reviewed for online publication on (e.g. Hope<br />
website).<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke and Eva Weltzien<br />
Evaluate two-stage recurrent selection procedure for sorghum adapted to the Sudanian zone<br />
Rationale<br />
Breeding of higher yielding sorghum varieties in the Sudanian zone requires both effective selection for<br />
both grain and glume characteristics crucial for adoption as well as yield performance over<br />
environments. Multi-location yield testing of large numbers of progenies in a sufficient sample of the target<br />
environments to make genetic gains for yield is a major challenge. We initiated a two stage progeny testing<br />
procedure, which includes multi-location testing of S2-progenies, with the objectives of developing<br />
superior varieties and effective methods for population improvement.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A set of 150 progenies were selected for testing based on 2009 on-station and on-farm observations. The<br />
testing scheme designed involves single-rep on-farm strip tests with subsets of 50 S2-progenies and<br />
replicated checks. The 150 progenies were subdivided into sets of 25, with each farmer receiving two sets.<br />
Two checks were randomized within each block of 5 test entries to enable estimate of error level and enable<br />
yield adjustments. A total of 34 tests were prepared, installed and harvested. Trials were conducted at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko under +P and –P , with data to compare researcher and farmer observations in<br />
replicated on-station relative and unreplicated on-farm results. On-station trials had four replicates in an<br />
alpha lattice incomplete block design.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The on-farm strip tests provide a good sample the diversity of environments in the target zones. For<br />
example sowing dates varied over seven weeks, from June 18 to August 5, soil types ranged from gravelly<br />
laterite to fine textured soils of contrasting fertility levels. Panicle weights and farmer appreciation scores<br />
are entered and data analysis is underway. <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko on-station panicle weights have been<br />
analysed and are to be compared with the on-farm results.<br />
Additionally in Burkina Faso, initial trails to assess gains from farmer’s selection were conducted in two<br />
regions. Based on these results we have started to plan with INERA a trial that would compare gains made<br />
under different selection conditions.<br />
Fred Rattunde, Eva Weltzien and Kirsten von Brocke<br />
Develop recurrent selection schemes for implementation with NARS and FOs in the northern Sudanian<br />
zone (in collaboration with CIRAD FFEM 2/HOPE project)<br />
Rationale<br />
The mutual objective of the Agrobiodiversity (FFEM2)and HOPE projects in the Tominian region of Mali<br />
is to start a recurrent selection program so as to develop varieties responding to the harsh climate and<br />
production objectives of farmers living in that region. Base populations developed under a previous IFAD<br />
(PROMISO) project are being used as a source of diversity to kick start a breeding program.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Protocols have been developed to start a recurrent selection scheme in the region of Tominian in four<br />
villages targeted by the Agrobiodiversity project (CIRAD/IER/<strong>ICRISAT</strong>) and the HOPE project. The aim<br />
was to conduct F2 populations derived from crosses between diverse guinea populations and landrace<br />
varieties in farmer fields for a first cycle of mass selection, and to subsequently select materials for the<br />
development of breeding lines.<br />
145
Results and Discussions<br />
During the aforementioned October workshop in Koutiala, participants were informed of how to create<br />
diversity through crosses between diverse varieties. Also discussed and illustrated with the help of posters<br />
were the methods behind the use of broad-based populations for variety development. . Workshop<br />
participants further learned about priority-setting and target conditions for selection.<br />
Conclusions<br />
If recurrent selection with NARS and FOs is to be implemented, training has to be reinforced, specifically<br />
in regard to choosing farmers’ fields as selection sites and selection methods in segregating materials.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke and Eva Weltzien<br />
Multi-location variety trials in farmers’ fields in three regions of Mali (FFEM project)<br />
Rationale<br />
The objective of the Agrobiodiversity project is to enhance sorghum biodiversity through the diffusion of<br />
new and diverse varietal options to farmers. The project offers the possibility to test and diffuse existing<br />
experimental varieties, bred by the <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/IER programs, in new zones of intervention, such as Sikasso<br />
and Koutiala.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Varieties derived from the <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/IER and the CIRAD/INERA breeding programs were incorporated<br />
into variety trials in three regions of Mali (Tominian, Koutiala, Sikasso). These included improved<br />
varieties, landraces, and breeding lines at the end of the selection process. Two sweet sorghum varieties<br />
were also brought into the tests. Five to ten varieties were used in “preliminary tests” containing 32<br />
varieties, which were tested in two villages per zone, with two farmers per village (2 replications per<br />
farmer). One to three varieties were used in “multilocational tests” that comprised 6 varieties tested by ten<br />
farmers in the same two villages per zone.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Although results are not yet available, preliminary results from the Sikasso region indicate that farmers<br />
have shown interest in two varieties contributed by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/IER: DouaG (purified local variety) and<br />
IS23566 (sweet sorghum accession).<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Target <strong>2010</strong>: 3.2.2<br />
Two NARS empowered to breed groundnut varieties with multiple attributes, including drought resistance.<br />
Rational<br />
NARS in WCA lack human resources and infrastructure to execute efficient groundnut breeding programs.<br />
These weaknesses have limited the development of improved varieties and farmers continue to grow old<br />
varieties that were developed or introduced more than half a century ago. It is thus important to enhance<br />
capacity of some of the NARS for breeding groundnut varieties with multiple attributes.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A wide range of diverse genetic materials were supplied to enrich genetic diversity in NARS breeding<br />
programs. They can thus select adapted farmer-and market preferred varieties more effectively. Staff from<br />
the NARS breeding programs received theoretical training on breeding principles as well as hands-on<br />
training on how to manage a breeding program including priority skills such as hybridization, data capture<br />
and analysis.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
In the last three years more than 1000 advanced breeding lines have been supplied to the NARS in Mali,<br />
Niger and Nigeria in form of observation nurseries and/or replicated variety trials. From these trials<br />
146
national variety trials have been constituted. INRAN (Niger) was able to conduct trials at 6 locations across<br />
the major groundnut districts. In Nigeria (IAR), trials were conducted at 23 location in <strong>2010</strong> across the<br />
major groundnut producing states. In addition to the multi-location trials, a hybridization program was<br />
initiated at INRAN and IAR. This is the first time these NARS are beginning to make crosses after decades.<br />
B Ntare and F Waliyar<br />
2-3 farmer - and market-preferred groundnut varieties identified for cultivation in target countries of West<br />
Africa<br />
Rationale<br />
Farmers and processing industries demand varieties with specific desirable plant and seed traits.<br />
Knowledge of the range of plant, seed traits required for processing traits is valuable for crop improvement<br />
programs as they provide good market signals for processors. The demand for improved groundnut<br />
varieties will increase if varieties are designed to include producer and consumer preferred traits.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
PVS under the auspices of the Tropical Legumes project have been conducted in 6 villages each in Mali,<br />
Niger and Nigeria (2008-2009). Selected lines were put in larger demonstration plots in these countries.<br />
Some of these (2 in Mali, and 1 in Nigeria) have been recommended for release. Variety descriptions were<br />
prepared for the recommended varieties for release and registration in the national variety catalog. New<br />
on-farm farmer participatory variety selection trials in 5 villages (Bougoula (2), Sanambele, Fanza,<br />
Diakakegny and Tenekanu) in the Sanankoroba district, in Mali. Five groundnut varieties (ICGV 86124,<br />
ICGV 86024, ICGV 85015, ICG 7878, Fleur 11) along with a local check were evaluated by groups of<br />
women farmers in the five villages. In each village 25 women conducted the trial. The plot size was 0.1 ha<br />
per variety and unreplicated. Five women collectively managed a plot. Participating women were given 2-<br />
day training in good practices of integrated crop management before the start of the trials. A total of 150<br />
women from the farmer groups in the five villages, 10 village agents and 2 staff of PLAN Mali participated<br />
in the training. A simplified manual in French was produced for this purpose. This will be translated into<br />
the local language. Variety preference assessments were conducted during the plant establishment,<br />
flowering and harvest stages<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
In Niger, 4 varieties (Fleur 11, J11, RRB & ICG 9346) from the FPVS trials conducted in the previous 2<br />
years were registered in the national variety catalog. ICGV 86024, ICGV 86124 and ICGV 86015 are<br />
candidates for release in Mali and ICIAR 19BT in Nigeria. Preference assessment from the new trials<br />
showed that over all ICGV 86024, ICGV 86124 and Fleur 11 were the most preferred varieties across the<br />
villages. Their pod yield varied between 15-25% over the local variety.<br />
Conclusions<br />
PVS are proving to be short cut to the release of varieties. This need to be advocated so that this becomes<br />
a routine source of information for the rapid release of new varieties. None the less the release of new<br />
groundnut varieties by NARS remains a very slow process through the traditional mechanism. This is<br />
largely due to variety release committees not meeting or the NARS partners not being aggressive enough to<br />
promote new varieties through nationally coordinated trials and on-farm participatory validation tests.<br />
However, through FPVS, the variety release process can be fast tracked. The major challenge facing<br />
women groundnut farmers is the limited access to good land.<br />
B Ntare<br />
Seed of advanced breeding lines produced to share with NARS partners<br />
Rationale<br />
The availability of seed is critical to ensure that varieties that meet the needs of the farmers and markets can<br />
be widely tested, and channeled for certified seed production.<br />
147
Materials and Methods<br />
Seed of 29 promising advanced trait specific breeding lines selected from the previous on-station trials was<br />
increased at Samanko.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
A total of 1580 kg of seed of trait specific advanced breeding lines was produced at Samanko. This will be<br />
shared with NARS partners in the region and will be evaluated in new PVS trials during 2011 crop season.<br />
B Ntare<br />
At least 80-100 new breeding lines with farmer- and market-preferred traits made available to NARS for<br />
local evaluation<br />
Rationale<br />
To maintain a flow of new breeding lines, seed was supplied to various users including researchers,<br />
farmers.<br />
Material and methods<br />
A series of trait- specific preliminary and advanced performance trials were conducted at Samanko during<br />
the rainy season. These included 198 breeding lines in 5 advanced trials and 98 in 1 preliminary trial. A<br />
trial consisting of 5 advanced breeding lines tolerant to foliar diseases along with 2 susceptible checks<br />
(Fleur11 and ICGS11) was conducted to assess their yield and resistance to foliar diseases. Alpha lattice<br />
design with three replications was used in all the trials except the foliar disease trial which was a RCB. Plot<br />
sizes were of 4 rows and 4 m long<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Seed Supply: We supplied 63 trait-specific advanced breeding lines to partners in Mali (90 kg of 5 varieties<br />
to PLAN-Mali, 15 kg of three varieties to Millennium village project, and 9kg of 11 varieties to an export<br />
company YIRIWA); 200 gm each of 10 rosette resistant varieties to Cameroon, 50 seed each of 16 rosette<br />
resistant lines to Uganda and 100 kg of 8 varieties for researchers in <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. We also supplied 100 seeds<br />
of each of 256 groundnut germplasm reference set to IAR Nigeria on request. Yield trials: Promising high<br />
yielding lines with other attributes such as tolerance to foliar diseases were selected for further evaluation<br />
in regional trials. About 65 lines yielding significantly higher that the checks were selected. All the five<br />
lines (ICGV 01276 (score 2), ICGV 00068 (score 3), ICGV 00005 (score 3), ICGV 99029 (score 3), ICGV<br />
00064 (score 3) were resistant to early leaf spot, both on station and on-farm.<br />
B Ntare and F Waliyar<br />
Target <strong>2010</strong>: 3.2.3<br />
Three high yielding, well adapted sorghum varieties with at least one trait adding value to the harvest<br />
(stover quality, sweet juicy stems, brewing quality) identified for dissemination to farmers in two countries<br />
in WCA<br />
At least 15 new sweet sorghum cultivars of different origins, three experimental sweet sorghum lines<br />
selected in 2009 and five hybrids evaluated in replicated trials<br />
Rationale<br />
In order to develop a value chain strategy for ethanol production from sweet sorghum, adapted to mostly<br />
subsistence production systems in Mali, it is necessary to first generate knowledge about the production<br />
potential of internationally existing grain-fuel sweet sorghum varieties in the Sudanian and north-sudanian<br />
zone. This was done through the IFAD funded biofuel project “Harnessing water-use efficient bio-energy<br />
crops for enhancing livelihood opportunities of smallholder farmers in Asia, Africa and Latin America”<br />
(2008 – <strong>2010</strong>), in Mali in collaboration with IER. The aim is to identify cultivars which have high sugar<br />
yields but also provide animal fodder and acceptable grain quality and yield.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
During <strong>2010</strong> three activities were carried out in order to identify promising cultivars for either use as<br />
parents in breeding programs or directly for production by users in Mali.<br />
148
(1) A series of potential new sweet sorghum varieties and accessions provided by CIRAD (50 accessions<br />
with 20g seed with origins from West and Central Africa, East Africa and Central America and additional<br />
10 cultivars including control cultivars were tested in randomized field trials with two replications at<br />
Samanko and Cinzana.<br />
(2) The second year of the sweet sorghum trial with 40 entries (Malian local varieties, IS accessions and<br />
improved sweet sorghum breeding lines from <strong>ICRISAT</strong> India) was conducted with three replications at<br />
Sotuba with IER scientists.<br />
(3) A randomized field trial with two replications was carried out at two sites (Samanko, Sudanian zone and<br />
Cinzana, Sahelian zone) with the objective to evaluate the performance (brix, juice and grain yield/quality)<br />
of 34 progenies derived from 2009 selections at Cinzana (17 families) and Samanko (15 families). The<br />
progenies origin from the Patancheru Breeding program and were send by the team of De B. Reddy in 2009<br />
for evaluation under Malian climatic conditions.<br />
Results<br />
In the first field trial with 60 entries, about 70% of the varieties presented brix and juice values at a level<br />
that they could be classified as sweet sorghum varieties. However brix values of entries did not exceed<br />
16.2% at the Samanko station at physiological maturity. About 15 entries from Cameroon and Tchad were<br />
too late maturing for the Sudanian and Sahelian conditions. Several varieties with high biomass potential<br />
were identified, as well as one variety with interesting grain quality (vitreous and clean grain) for further<br />
use in the breeding program. Many entries had poor grain quality and poor panicle characteristics.<br />
At Sotuba, the plant stand was somewhat unfavorable in the 40 entry trial, however brix values were<br />
satisfying with up to 18%. Results are not yet analyzed.<br />
Preliminary results for the progeny trial show a trial mean for brix of 14% (6 – 19,5) at Samanko and 50ml<br />
per stem (10 – 120ml/stem) for juice volume. About seven progenies were selected at Samanko for further<br />
testing and purification, based on grain quality (vitrosity), gain mold resistance, grain color, panicle size,<br />
biomass, juice yield and brix values.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
At least 40 F2 families derived from sweet sorghum crosses conducted with a minimum of 400 plants per<br />
F2<br />
Rational<br />
To create the base materials for selection for locally adapted sweet sorghum genotypes with acceptable<br />
grain quality, wide crosses between different stem and grain types are being evaluated.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Selection in 32 F2 families was carried out in Samanko and Cinzana. F2 families were either derived from<br />
crosses between sweet sorghum (bicolor) x sweet sorghum (caudatum) or sweet sorghum (caudatum) x<br />
grain sorghum (caudatum or guinea).<br />
Results<br />
Results showed few plants with the desired traits (sweetness of stem, juiciness, panicle and grain quality,<br />
biomass). At Samanko about 52 F2 and at Cinzana about 15 F2 plants were selected which presented an<br />
interesting diversity of plant types, differing in sweetness and juiciness and cycle duration. A few<br />
interesting long-cycle plants were selected involving the parent IS15401 (Soumalemba) which showed<br />
sweet juicy stems, acceptable grain quality and resistance to head bug and end of season drought. Most of<br />
the late maturing plants had very poor grain set due to head bug damage.<br />
149
Conclusions<br />
Some progress for grain quality seems to be possible (guinea type of grain combined with sweet stems).<br />
But in order to progress with these trait combinations, numbers of lines in the early segregating generations<br />
have to be increased.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
New sweet sorghum diversity created; at least 10 crosses between diverse sweet sorghum cultivars made<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Six sweet sorghum F2 families (caudatum or bicolor/caudatum) were crossed with three different local<br />
guinea landraces with favorable grain quality and biomass traits to improve grain quality and biomass<br />
production in the progenies.<br />
Result<br />
Au total 256 successful crosses from 18 couples were performed during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season through<br />
hand emasculation.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Awareness for sweet sorghum production of main stakeholders in Mali improved: at least 5 sweet sorghum<br />
varieties tested on-farm, at least one workshop/exposure visit conducted<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Sweet sorghum variety tests were conducted in three zones with three different local partners in Mali. Six<br />
to 10 varieties (sweet sorghum elite lines from Patancheru, local sweet sorghum varieties and germplasm<br />
lines) were tested with about 6 farmers in randomized trials with two replications in each of the sites.<br />
Partners were: NGO AMEDD in Koutiala conducting trials in 6 different sites (Sudanian zone); the state<br />
agricultural program in the Segou region (Sahelian zone), four tests in one village and the private enterprise<br />
“Mali Biocarburant” (biodiesel from Jatropha) in Koulikoro (Sudanian zone) which conducted tests at six<br />
sites with six entries. Participatory evaluation workshops were conducted with AMEDD in the Koutiala<br />
region and with IER and “office riz” in the Segou region with about 20 farmers per trial.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Preliminary results received from the “Office riz” partners indicate that grain quality of early caudatum<br />
sweet sorghum lines and IS accessions were accepted. Due to less frequent rainfall in this region, grain<br />
mold was not a major issue in the on-farm trials. Biomass production in trials was favourable, however<br />
they were all conducted on fertile land and received standard dose of mineral fertiliser. A detailed analysis<br />
of the collected data is in progress.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Three experimental sweet sorghum varieties with >15% brix, >20t/ha fresh stalk yield and acceptable<br />
grain yield (>1.5t/ha) identified<br />
Several IS lines (e.g., 23525, 23566, 23541), one sorghum line of the CIRAD collection and two improved<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> sweet sorghum lines (ICSR 93034 and NTJ2) have been well appreciated by farmers in on-farm<br />
trials in the Segou. Three advanced progenies from the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> breeding program have also been tested at<br />
two on-station sites for further confirmation. A complete analysis of data of the <strong>2010</strong> trials and combined<br />
with results from previous years need to be performed to confirm the varieties.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
150
Management options identified for improved juice and sugar production in sweet sorghum with a focus on<br />
planting densities (field trials on station)<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
For testing sweet sorghum management options, a split-split-plot trial with three replications was sown and<br />
evaluated at the Samanko station with the objective to analyze the performance of juice production at three<br />
harvest dates at and after physiological maturity (PM) (PM, PM+15, PM+25 days) with two fertility levels<br />
(0 fertilizer application and 200 kg DAP/ha) and six varieties (similar growing cycle, different variety<br />
types):<br />
F221: local sweet sorghum landrace (Mali)<br />
00-SB-F5DT-427: sweet sorghum IER improved line<br />
ICSR 93034: sweet sorghum improved line from Patancheru breeding program.<br />
IS 23566: guinea-caudatum germplasm accession<br />
IS 23541: guinea-caudatum germplasm accession<br />
104 GRD: sweet sorghum improved line from Patancheru breeding program.<br />
Results<br />
The trial was conducted for the second year. Compared to 2009 the trial was conducted on a less fertile<br />
field in order to have more differences between fertilized and the non-fertilized treatments. In 2009 the<br />
fertility treatment had no effect on sugar levels in the juice (Table 1). In <strong>2010</strong> the mean Brix values are<br />
relatively low, between 9 and 17%, with a trial mean of 13%. Observations and data entry are still ongoing.<br />
Table 1: Mean brix values in different treatment in 2009 management trial<br />
Factors Treatment %brix<br />
Mean MIN MAX<br />
6-variety F221 13,75 12 16<br />
00-SB-F5DT-427 13,72 11 16<br />
ICSR 93034 15,46 11 19<br />
IS 23566 16,06 14 18<br />
IS 23541 15,44 14 17<br />
104 GRD 16,33 14 18<br />
2 fertilizations Non-fertilized 15,11 11 18<br />
200 kg DAP/ha 15,14 12 19<br />
3-harvest dates pm 14,26 11 18<br />
pm+15 15,01 12 18<br />
pm+25 16,11 13 19<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Release of sorghum variety with adaptation to low P conditions and high Fe concentration adapted to the<br />
Sudanian zone<br />
Rationale<br />
Sorghum in Western and Central Africa is cultivated extensively on soils with low available phosphorous<br />
and with limited or no fertilization. Varieties that are better adapted to low-P soils could produce higher<br />
and more stable yields.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
A landrace variety “Doua-G” from Mali was identified to have superior performance under low-P<br />
available production conditions (see “Identification of germplasm” below). The registration document for<br />
this variety under the name of “Douaje” was submitted for inclusion in Variety Catalogue Mali in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Foundation seed of Doua-G was produced in an isolation block at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Fred Rattunde<br />
151
Identification of sorghum germplasm with adaptation to low P and Sahelian zone conditions<br />
Rationale<br />
Sorghum germplasm with superior adaptation to low P needs to be identified to serve directly as varieties<br />
for adoption as well as source material for breeding purposes. Understanding the nature of genotype x<br />
environment interaction for grain yield under low-P conditions is necessary to formulate effective testing<br />
and breeding procedures.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The phenotyping of a Sudanian-zone sorghum panel of 70 varieties for adaptation to P-limited conditions<br />
was conducted under –P and +P fertilization at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko from 2006 to <strong>2010</strong> and at IER-<br />
Kolombada from 2006 to 2009. These evaluations provide a unique data base for analysis of genetic<br />
diversity and genotype x environment interaction for P-Adaptation over 5 years in 18 environments.<br />
Phenotyping of a Sahelian-zone sorghum panel of 80 varieties for adaptation to low-P was initiated in <strong>2010</strong><br />
with trials conducted at IER-Bema, ISRA-Bambey, INRAN-Konni, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko and <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-<br />
Sadore.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The –P trials had substantially lower grain yield, shorter plant heights and delayed flowering relative to +P<br />
trials, indicating that the P availability differed strongly between –P and +P. Genetic variation for grain<br />
yield over eight low-P environments of the Sudanian panel was highly significant and varietal differences<br />
were high heritability. Selection for yield under low-P conditions therefore can be effective. Genotype x<br />
environment interaction within the eight low-P environments was significant but only moderate in<br />
magnitude relative to genotype main effects. Date of sowing and environmental yield level explained very<br />
little of the GxE interaction. Therefore there is apparently no need to target specific low-P environments<br />
for germplasm or progeny evaluations for yield under P limited conditions. Total rainfall accounted for<br />
nearly half of the GxE interactions under low-P.<br />
Analysis over low- and high-P levels indicated that genotype x P level was significant but explained only a<br />
small portion of the total GxE interactions. Plotting entry yields under low-P versus entry yields under<br />
high-P using REML blups standardized to mean=0.0, std. dev.=1.0, revealed that only very few entries<br />
deviated markedly from the 1:1 line. Thus it appears that most all of the West African sorghum varieties<br />
tested express a basic level of adaptation to low-P conditions, despite their diversity for genetic background.<br />
Only IS 15401 and NafalenP6 showed considerably superior yields under low-P relative to under high-P<br />
conditions.<br />
Selection for yield under low-P conditions can be effective. Varieties IS 15401 and NafalenP6 should be<br />
further investigated for their adaptation mechanism(s). Indirect selection for yield under low-P conditions<br />
may be possible based on yield performance in more favorable P environments for W. African Sudanian<br />
sorghums. However, low-P yield testing is required to identify particularly superior low-P adapted<br />
germplasm.<br />
Fred Rattunde, Eva Weltzien and Willmar Leiser<br />
Data analysis of multi-year and multi-location trials from Mali to identify new varieties for release<br />
Rationale<br />
Sorghum production conditions are diverse and varietal performance over the range of soils, weed management,<br />
sowing dates, and rainfall conditions can only be effectively assessed with more extensive on-farm testing to<br />
sample this diversity. On-farm validation of on-station varietal response to low-P availability is specifically<br />
needed.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Large-scale multi-location trials were conducted with a wide range of farmer organizations, and other<br />
development partners in Mali, Burkina Faso and Nigeria in <strong>2010</strong>. During <strong>2010</strong> these trials were largely<br />
152
conducted as split-plot trials with the main plots being agronomic practice, designed with the farmers in each<br />
village, and subplots of 3 to 5 test varieties. Partners were trained in this process.<br />
A structured evaluation of eight varieties identified to have contrasting low-P adaptation from on-station low-P<br />
phenotyping was conducted both on-station and on-farm in <strong>2010</strong>. The trials at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Samanko were<br />
conducted under +P and –P conditions with early and later sowing dates and four replicates. On-farm trials were<br />
conducted as two replicate split plot trials with P level as main plot and variety as subplot. These trials were<br />
conducted by 24 farmers, involving 4 farmers per village, and 3 villages in both the Mande and the Dioila zones.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The 2009 and <strong>2010</strong> data from farmer-managed test-kits trials were entered into a newly established database.<br />
Older data are presently being added to the database. Data were assembled for the release of variety DOUAJE in<br />
Mali. In Burkina Faso an additional season of trials was required under the new seed regulations to complete the<br />
release procedure. The trials were conducted in <strong>2010</strong> are presently being analysed.<br />
Eva Weltzien and Fred Rattunde<br />
Develop recurrent selection schemes for implementation with NARS and FOs in the northern Sudanian<br />
zone (in collaboration with CIRAD FFEM 2/HOPE project)<br />
Rationale<br />
The mutual objective of the Agrobiodiversity (FFEM2)and HOPE projects in the Tominian region of Mali<br />
is to start a recurrent selection program so as to develop varieties responding to the harsh climate and<br />
production objectives of farmers living in that region. Base populations developed under a previous IFAD<br />
(PROMISO) project are being used as a source of diversity to kick start a breeding program.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Protocols have been developed to start a recurrent selection scheme in the region of Tominian in four<br />
villages targeted by the Agrobiodiversity project (CIRAD/IER/<strong>ICRISAT</strong>) and the HOPE project. The aim<br />
was to conduct F2 populations derived from crosses between diverse guinea populations and landrace<br />
varieties in farmer fields for a first cycle of mass selection, and to subsequently select materials for the<br />
development of breeding lines.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
During the aforementioned October workshop in Koutiala, participants were informed of how to create<br />
diversity through crosses between diverse varieties. Also discussed and illustrated with the help of posters<br />
were the methods behind the use of broad-based populations for variety development. . Workshop<br />
participants further learned about priority-setting and target conditions for selection.<br />
Conclusions<br />
If recurrent selection with NARS and FOs is to be implemented, training has to be reinforced, specifically<br />
in regard to choosing farmers’ fields as selection sites and selection methods in segregating materials.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke, Eva Weltzien<br />
Multi-location variety trials in farmers’ fields in three regions of Mali (FFEM project)<br />
Rationale<br />
The objective of the Agrobiodiversity project is to enhance sorghum biodiversity through the diffusion of<br />
new and diverse varietal options to farmers. The project offers the possibility to test and diffuse existing<br />
experimental varieties, bred by the <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/IER programs, in new zones of intervention, such as Sikasso<br />
and Koutiala.<br />
153
Materials and Methods<br />
Varieties derived from the <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/IER and the CIRAD/INERA breeding programs were incorporated<br />
into variety trials in three regions of Mali (Tominian, Koutiala, Sikasso). These included improved<br />
varieties, landraces, and breeding lines at the end of the selection process. Two sweet sorghum varieties<br />
were also brought into the tests. Five to ten varieties were used in “preliminary tests” containing 32<br />
varieties, which were tested in two villages per zone, with two farmers per village (2 replications per<br />
farmer). One to three varieties were used in “multilocation tests” that comprised 6 varieties tested by ten<br />
farmers in the same two villages per zone.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Although results are not yet available, preliminary results from the Sikasso region indicate that farmers<br />
have shown interest in two varieties contributed by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/IER: DouaG (purified local variety) and<br />
IS23566 (sweet sorghum accession) .<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Target 2011: 3.2.1<br />
At least two new breeding populations of groundnut with enhanced multiple attributes available for testing<br />
and selection by NARS<br />
Rationale<br />
We developed new breeding populations to combine new sources of sources of disease resistance and<br />
drought tolerance to start marker assisted selection for the future, to provide training opportunities for<br />
breeders.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Phenotypic data from the reference set of 268 groundnut germplasm lines evaluated for early leaf spot<br />
(ELS) resistance, yield, harvest index (HI) and transpiration efficiency (TE) in different trials conducted at<br />
Samanko were analyzed. From this set new sources of resistance to foliar diseases were identified and used<br />
to generate new F2 populations. However in order to identify stable sources of resistance to ELS with<br />
consistent high TE across locations the data needs to be analysed jointly with evaluation data from other<br />
sites (Malawi and Tanzania, for ELS, and TE from India and Niger). The identified new sources of ELS<br />
and TE are being used to develop populations for marker assisted selection for these traits.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
F 1 seeds of 15 crosses made in the previous offseason were sown to determine their hybridity. A total of 40<br />
new three-way crosses involving farmer-preferred varieties and sources of resistance to early leaf spot (ICG<br />
7878) and rosette (ICIAR 19 BT) were made. Fifty nine (59) F 2:3 populations involving the most popular<br />
varieties in West Africa and sources of resistance to foliar, diseases, aflatoxin contamination and rosette<br />
were advanced to the next generation. Population size varied from 200 to 800 plants per population. Single<br />
plants and bulks were selected. Five of these populations involving a stable source of ELS resistance (ICG<br />
7878) crossed with the most popular varieties (55-437, 47-10, ICGV 86124 and Fleur 11) are being<br />
advanced through single seed descent (SSD) during the post-rainy season (Nov- April) to produce F 5:6<br />
RILS for phenotyping in 2011 crop season (June-October)<br />
Conclusion: The stage is set for developing populations to validate the QTLs for Marker assisted breeding<br />
and shows a clear linkage between TLI and TLII projects.<br />
B Ntare<br />
Target 2011: 3.2.2<br />
Improved cycle of at least one sorghum broad-based population produced by random-mating superior<br />
progenies<br />
154
Conduct mass selection among S0 plants in an existing broad-based guinea population adapted to the<br />
north Sudanian climatic zone<br />
Rationale<br />
The shared objective of the “Agrobiodiversity” project and the HOPE project in the Tominian region in<br />
Mali is to start a recurrent selection program in order to develop varieties responding to the harsh climate<br />
conditions and the specific production objectives of farmers in the region. Base populations, which were<br />
developed under a previous IFAD (PROMISO) project, were used as a source of diversity to start a<br />
breeding program. Further crossing activities were started in order to respond to a demand from farmers<br />
from the UACT farmer organisation, to reduce the growing cycle (shorter) of a popular landrace (Ariho).<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Eight F2 populations derived from crosses between broad based guinea populations and landrace varieties<br />
were sown in farmers’ fields in the Tominian region (Sahelian zone of Mali) in order to start a recurrent<br />
selection program with farmers in collaboration with IER the NGO AMEDD and the UACT farmer<br />
organization. The populations were sown in three villages with four farmers. Each farmer conducted a bloc<br />
containing four F2 populations sown in 10 rows of 10m.<br />
The landrace “Ariho” was crossed with a short cycle farmer preferred variety (CSM63) and an early<br />
guinea-caudatum population (PSR08) from the CIRAD/INERA breeding program in Burkina Faso by hand<br />
emasculation at the Samanko station.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Farmers’ selected the best panicles in the populations. Due to late sowing date and difficult soil conditions<br />
and water stagnation only 50 panicles will be further tested. The majority (about 30 panicles per<br />
populations) will be bulked by population and used to reselect the populations for further farmers’ selection<br />
in 2011.<br />
F1 seed of 43 progenies involving the Ariho variety was harvested and will be advanced to the F2<br />
generation in the <strong>2010</strong>/11 off-season. F2 populations will serve as base population for a participatory<br />
variety development program for the region.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
Cycle 1-bulk random mated of diversified dwarf sorghum population for the Sudanian zone<br />
Rationale<br />
Past research on photoperiod sensitive sorghums for the Sudanain zone has shown the advantages of short<br />
plant height, in view of improving harvest index, as well as stover quality. The available breeding material<br />
with short height and photoperiod sensitivity had been diversified by crossing it with interracial breeding<br />
material from IER, with new dwarf selections from the Burkina Faso guinea race populations. The aim of<br />
the diversification was to improve panicle exertion from the flagleaf sheath, improve glume opening, grain<br />
yield potential and adaptation to the northern Sudanian zone.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The crosses had been made using the male-sterile plants of the selected dwarf guinea parent line, and from<br />
the Burkina Population. The resulting F1’s were randommated and seed increased, by groups of crosses.<br />
During the following rainy season, farmers received bulks of the random-mated populations or subpopulations.<br />
Farmer selected preferred individual plants, mostly from fertile plants, i.e. they were mostly -1<br />
progenies. With the IER sorghum breeders we constituted S1-nurseries for a grow out by groups of farmers<br />
from the same villages preferably during the <strong>2010</strong> season. All S1-progenies (approx 1100) were also grown<br />
at the Samanko research station in the 2009 rainy season. Single plant selections, mostly with short height<br />
were made on-station as well as on-farm. The following rainy season (<strong>2010</strong>), all the 100 short-internode<br />
and 28 intermediate inter-node S2-progenies were tested in multiplication trials, in sets of 60 testrows per<br />
farmer site. Together with the McKnight Foundation supported Statistical Support Services we supported<br />
155
IER in the development of a trial design, using incomplete blocks, so that individual farmers did not have<br />
to test the whole set of 100 progenies under evaluation. A total of 34 farmers across three different areas in<br />
Mali, in the Sudanian zone grew these progeny trials during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. IER partners collected<br />
data for all sites, and harvested those sites that were sufficiently uniform in terms of plant stand and general<br />
growth to yield interpretable data. The full sets of progenies were also evaluated in two on-station trials<br />
under high and low soil P availability conditions.<br />
The full set of lines was then grown in October <strong>2010</strong>. Selections were made based on the evaluation of<br />
research station data, to choose entries for random mating the fist improved cycle bulk of this new<br />
population. Crosses were made using male-sterile segregants in the selected lines as females.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The 2009 grow-out at the Samanko research station was late sown, and severely affected by late rains. The<br />
selection this focused largely on grain, glume and panicle traits that contribute to reduced grain mold<br />
incidence, and reduced grain insect attacks. Short interned length, panicle exertion form the sheath, and<br />
panicle size were other important selection criteria. Overall the S2 –lines performed well for these traits,<br />
and thus selection for productivity measures was meaningful at this stage.<br />
The two stage selection procedure clearly offered the opportunity to work with very large numbers of<br />
progenies in the initial stage. This allowed the farmers and the breeders to identify lines, which had a good<br />
chance to meet the criteria for adaptation and use required, while maintaining diversity for productivity<br />
related traits. More selection for variety development, as well as possible a population bulk for specific<br />
zones of adaptation will be made during the 2011 rainy season, after evaluating the multilocation results<br />
fully.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The experiences with the two stage selection procedure have been generally positive. The assessment of<br />
potential genetic gains remains to be done, as well as the assessments of selection differentials under<br />
specific testing conditions. We expect to continue using this method for the improvement of broad based<br />
breeding populations.<br />
Fred Rattunde, Eva Weltzien and Kirsten vom Brocke<br />
New base population with good adaptation to low P conditions, and Al toxicity<br />
Rational<br />
In view of the fact that gene markers for specific alleles of eth ALT-SB locus are becoming available, and new<br />
results that link the phosphorus efficiency QTL found in rice, to the ALT-SB locus, we decided, with inputs<br />
from EMBRAPA and GCP, to build –up a sorghum population with good adaptation to low – P availability, as<br />
well as Al –tolerance, as assessed in multi-year field trials in Mali.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
We intermated varieties and lines selected for their superior adaptation to low P conditions and Al toxicity with<br />
the lines from the diversified guinea dwarf population segregating for male-sterility during and 2009/<strong>2010</strong> offseason.<br />
The bulked F1-seed from these crosses for each donor parent were selfed during the rainy season. We<br />
used an early sowing under cages, to reduce the day length, to achieve earlier flowering and maturity. We could<br />
thus sow large F2 populations in the late October off-season, without cages, for a second random mating, using<br />
the male-sterile plants segregating in the bulks as females. Crossing is underway for the second random mating.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
So far the crossing plans have worked well, and the population will be ready for marker assisted selection for<br />
increasing the frequency of the ALT and P-efficiency alleles, once the markers become available.<br />
Fred Rattunde and Eva Weltzien<br />
156
Develop set of backcross populations to facilitate nested association mapping of traits related to adaptation to<br />
the southern Sudanian zone of adaptation<br />
Rational<br />
As marker assessments are becoming less costly, than field evaluations it is essential that important adaptation<br />
traits, which tend to reduce effective gain from selection, could be addressed using marker-based selection tools.<br />
Thus, the breeder could expect the maximum possible gain for complex traits such as productivity, from<br />
expensive field trials.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
In collaboration with IER, and members of the GCP sorghum group, we selected a recurrent parent, the dwarf<br />
guinea race restorer, Lata and a set of 10 common donor lines, which IER will also cross with the recurrent<br />
parent chosen. In addition we chose another set of 10 donor parents, widening the range of germplasm to be<br />
explored for this mapping and selection study.<br />
During the 2009/<strong>2010</strong> off-season we made a complete set of crosses between the identified 20 donor parents and<br />
Lata, or a sisterline of Lata segregating for male sterility.<br />
Results<br />
During the rainy season we completed and succeeded in making sufficient backcrosses to have at least 150<br />
BC1F1 seeds for all 20 donor parents. Selected crosses have sown to advance the material to BC1F2, others will<br />
undergo selection in the BC1F1 generation during the rainy season.<br />
Eva Weltzien and Fred Rattunde<br />
Target 2011: 3.2.3<br />
At least 2 downy mildew resistant open pollinated varieties of pearl millet made available to partners with<br />
release relevant information<br />
Pearl millet open pollinated varieties resistant to downy mildew<br />
Rationale<br />
Downy mildew is a major pearl millet production constraint and it is essential that any newly developed<br />
cultivars show an acceptable level of quantitative resistance to this fungal disease.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
With the aim to finalize new open-pollinated experimental varieties, a final cycle of recurrent full-sib<br />
family selection for downy mildew resistance and performance was successfully conducted in a total of 8<br />
elite populations (at the INRAN station at Bengou/Tara (South of Niger, financed by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> HOPE<br />
budget). Each population was also evaluated at a second site in HOPE partner countries (Table x).<br />
Table x. Elite pearl millet populations that underwent a final selection cycle in <strong>2010</strong><br />
# Target country Type of population N of FS tested<br />
at site 1/2<br />
Evaluation<br />
sites<br />
1 Nigeria PE05532 (“Super Sosat”) 132/102 Tara &<br />
Maiduguri<br />
2 Nigeria PE05684 78/54 Tara &<br />
Maiduguri<br />
3 Nigeria PE05984 (extra early) 162/144 Tara &<br />
Maiduguri<br />
157
4 Niger,<br />
Mali,<br />
Burkina<br />
5 Niger,<br />
Mali,<br />
Burkina<br />
6 Niger,<br />
Nigeria<br />
7 Niger,<br />
Nigeria<br />
PE05572 (wide<br />
adaptation)<br />
PE05539 (wide<br />
adaptation)<br />
SHLxKBH-C1Aguie<br />
SMC<br />
SHC2_KANDELA_SMS<br />
(women-selected)<br />
186/108 Tara &<br />
Cinzana<br />
132/186 Tara and<br />
Gampela<br />
216/246 Tara and<br />
Maradi<br />
228/258 Tara and<br />
Maradi<br />
8 Niger,<br />
Nigeria<br />
F8xM1-C2 PF_Sad 348/348 Tara and<br />
Maradi<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The FS trials were successfully completed and achieved reasonable repeatabilities at most sites for<br />
agronomically important traits. The FS population of PE05572 proved to be very susceptible to downy<br />
mildew at Cinzana and will require another selection cycle.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Best families of each population are being recombined in the off-season <strong>2010</strong>/11 to form the new<br />
experimental cultivars, which will be disseminated within HOPE. Another cycle of FS and/or S1 selection<br />
will be conducted in the PE05572 population.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann<br />
Target 2011: 3.2.4<br />
Refined adaptation maps for at least 10 sorghum and pearl millet varieties available for use by partners<br />
Rationale<br />
Refined adaptation maps are required to better target dissemination of improved cultivars beyond their sites<br />
of selection. Adaptation mapping is based on multi-location (GxE) trials, partially combining cultivars and<br />
natural resources management practices (GxExM). The results of these trials are also used to derive genetic<br />
parameters for adaptation modeling using APSIM or DSSAT crop growth models.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A multi-factorial on-station trial has been conducted at three sites in Niger involving 10 pearl millet<br />
cultivars and 16 soil fertilization options (4 levels of mineral fertilizer and 4 levels of organic fertilizer in<br />
all combinations). The on-station trial has been complemented by on-farm demonstrations involving each 8<br />
cultivars and three soil fertilization options at all HOPE sites in Niger. Data collection and analysis are still<br />
underway. Once completed, the results are expected to give a good insight into genotype x location x soil<br />
fertility interaction effects for elite pearl millet cultivars in Niger, and to identify the most promising and<br />
economic options for farmers (=IGNRM).<br />
A 102-entry pearl millet landrace trial was conducted within the frame of the BMZ abiotic stress project<br />
under low and high P conditions in Niger, Burkina Faso, Mali and Senegal.<br />
Furthermore, within the BMZ-CODEWA project, a 20 millet genotype x environment interaction trial was<br />
conducted for the third year along a climate gradient in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana, to move forward<br />
the varietal adaptation mapping, in cooperation with PS Traore (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Mali). To assess photoperiodic<br />
response to latitude differences, one millet and one sorghum 30-variety photo period sensitivity<br />
158
trial with 2 or 3 planting dates (depending on the location) were also conducted at Sadore, Samanko (Mali)<br />
and Wa (Ghana) (PhD study Aicha Sacko and PS Traore).<br />
For sorghum the results derived from the multi-country, multi-site farmer managed evaluation trails will be<br />
used to support any mapping efforts, especially also with results on specific pests and diseases.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Data collection and analysis of these trials are still underway.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Once data analysis is completed, the results are expected to give a good insight into genotype × location ×<br />
soil fertility interaction effects for a representative set of pearl millet cultivars, and into the effect of latitude<br />
on photoperiodic response (an important aspect with regard to adaptation to climate change, when agroecological<br />
zones in west Africa may move southwards). Genotypic data will be used in adaptation<br />
modelling from which new adaptation maps will be derived.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann, Pierre.S. Traore,<br />
Aicha Sacko and Eva Weltzien<br />
Target 2011: 3.2.5<br />
Understanding of dry land cereal pest dynamics enhanced for at least two priority species across WCA,<br />
and used in adaptive IGNRM research targeting at least two countries<br />
Assessing potential trap crops for the pearl millet stem borer<br />
After a 3 rd year of observations in a specific trial, Andropogon grass was definitely ruled out as a potential<br />
trap crop for millet stem borer MSB management (monitoring by a BSc student of the University of<br />
Niamey, Mr Amadou Idrissa, supervised by AR) (Table 1).<br />
Table 1. Compared damage and infestation by MSB on millet and Andropogon grass at Sadoré<br />
(2008, 2009 & <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Year & parameter<br />
2008 2009 <strong>2010</strong><br />
Crop<br />
2008<br />
Bored<br />
stems (%)<br />
2009<br />
Bored<br />
stems (%)<br />
<strong>2010</strong><br />
Bored<br />
stems (%)<br />
No. MSB No/ MSB No. MSB<br />
larvae/stem larvae/stem larvae/stem<br />
Millet 81.7 a 67.6 a 78.1 a 1.8 a 1.5 a 3.1 a<br />
Andropogon grass 23.8 b 25.6 b 17.7 b 0 b 0 b 0 b<br />
Means followed by the same letter in a same column are not significantly different at P
Regarding the new trial to be conducted both at Sadore and on one INRAN station, the activity was<br />
satisfactorily implemented respectively as part of UAM student Amadou Idrissa’s internship and at the<br />
Doukoudoukou Seed Multiplication Center under HKK’S supervision. At both locations, a trial with 5<br />
treatments and 4 reps was planted, in plots of 12.8X12.8m. Millet cultivar was ICMV IS 99001; three<br />
treatments involved millet stems cut and placed on the fields respectively at harvest and every second<br />
month thereafter (namely at the beginning, in the middle, and at the end of the dry season), a fourth with<br />
stems left upright until the onset of the rains on the one hand, and the fifth with stems cut at harvest and<br />
removed from the fields (for off-season storage on traditional platforms).<br />
At harvest (resp. 06/10 & 02/12/10), observations were made on incidence of stem borers and head miners<br />
on two 1m² squares, while grain yield was recorded on both those squares and on the whole plots. Soil<br />
macrofauna observations were made on the same squares (down to a depth of 0.25m). Analysis of results is<br />
underway. Five soil sub-samples per plot were taken with cylinders (15 cm), then pooled for physicochemical<br />
analyses (see above).<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
At Sadoré, the whole field was homogenous since there were no significant differences in terms of yield<br />
(mean of 1 227 kg/ha for whole plots), while at Doukoudoukou, yield was barely the same (mean of 1 176<br />
kg/ha) but there were significant differences between “treatments to be”. Similarly, MHM incidence was<br />
high (mean of 80%) and evenly distributed across the field at Sadoré, while it was low (2%), with also<br />
significant differences between “treatments to be” at Doukoudoukou. Stem borer incidence was evenly<br />
distributed at both locations, but much higher at Sadoré than at Doukoudoukou (incidence of 66% vs 13%).<br />
This questions the relevance of having this additional site which has no comparative advantage with Sadoré<br />
(where an unexpectedly high MHM infestation was observed). The situation will be reassessed at the end of<br />
the dry season, when all the treatments are applied and a second evaluation of soil macrofauna is<br />
conducted. On the other hand, significant results are expected from Sadore trial given the unusually high<br />
MHM infestation (in addition to that of MSB) at that location.<br />
Studies backstopping MHM biological control were not realized either, which was also partly due to travel<br />
restrictions in Niger. However, the latter study will be conducted around Sadoré in early 2011, given high<br />
infestation by this pest in this (relatively safe) area during last cropping season.<br />
A Ratnadass and Hame Kadi Kadi<br />
Sorghum Midge (SM) Management<br />
Rationale<br />
Sorghum midge is a devastating pest of sorghum in situations where not all sorghum flowers at the same<br />
time. There are regional differences in severity of the attacks. Rarely have efforts to manage midge<br />
infestation been made in West Africa.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Studies on sorghum midge resistance were realized, with two tests planted at the INRAN station of Konni,<br />
as part of UAM student Tankari Moussa’s internship. The 1 st test, planted in 2 DOS (9 & 23 July),<br />
consisted of 6 sorghum cultivars, either resistant to sorghum midge or controls, in RCBD with 4 reps. The<br />
second test consisted in 41 sorghum midge resistant cultivars of various origins and a local control, planted<br />
on 23 July in a RCBD with reps. The 1 st DOS of the 1 st test was hampered by poor plant stand due to<br />
massive seed removal by ants. Transplanting made it possible to have homogenous central lines for damage<br />
scoring (SMVS=sorghum midge visual score on a 1-9 rating scale), but not for yield measurement, which<br />
was therefore taken only on 2 nd DOS. Alike the millet trial at Doukoudoukou, monitoring of the tests at<br />
Konni INRAN station was also adversely affected by travel restrictions in Niger for security reasons. For<br />
instance, cv. Ripdahu could not be scored on the 2 nd DOS due to late maturity as compared to other<br />
cultivars. However, yield could be measured despite late harvest.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
In terms of midge resistance and grain yield, SSD35 (contributed by HKK, INRAN) and Ripdahu<br />
(contributed by Ms Mary Yeye, IAR, Nigerai) were found to be the best cultivars, while Yarruwa was<br />
completely ruled out as a resistant cultivar (it was actually the most susceptible).<br />
160
In the 2 nd trial, five cultivars had a midge score < 2 (on a 1-9 scale): Ripdahu (from IAR, Nigeria); SSD 35<br />
(from INRAN/Intsormil); CIR-1/OG2-3G-1P-M-M (from CIRAD), and MR # 22 X IS 8613/2/3/3/1-2 # 34<br />
& IS 15107 (from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru)(Fig.5). However, F test was not significant although there was a<br />
tendency at the P=0.10 level. These cultivars were multiplied at Sadoré during the <strong>2010</strong>-2011 off-season.<br />
Results of this 2 nd trial confirmed those of the 1 st , in terms of midge resistance of SSD35 and Ripdahu, and<br />
poor performance of Yarruwa.<br />
Studies on sorghum midge bioecology were the most seriously affected by travel restrictions since the<br />
application of some treatments on the trial at harvest, the survey at the farm level, requiring the presence<br />
and input of the supervisor, could not take place due to above-mentioned security reasons.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Studies on sorghum midge bioecology were the most seriously affected by travel restrictions since the<br />
application of some treatments on the trial at harvest, the survey at the farm level, requiring the presence<br />
and input of the supervisor, could not take place due to above-mentioned security reasons.<br />
Potential of trap crops for sorghum head-bug (Eurystylus) management was further investigated at both<br />
Konni and Sadoré, with the assistance of a Master Student of the University of Niamey, Mr Rabo<br />
Younoussou. New wild plants were identified as alternative hosts for 2 species of Eurystylus. Head-bug<br />
specimens form various host plants were collected for further genetic (µsatellite analysis) at Cirad-<br />
Montpellier.<br />
A Ratnadass and Hame Kadi Kadi<br />
Assessing effects of marker assisted transfer of Striga resistance on locally preferred sorghum cultivars<br />
Rationale<br />
Striga resistance is a trait that requires much effort and resources for its assessments. In recent years,<br />
QTL’s and closely linked markers associated with them had been identified for sorghum, to ease the<br />
transfer of Striga resistance into farmer preferred cultivars. National programs in Mali, Eritrea, Sudan and<br />
Kenya had transferred these QTLs into locally preferred varieties. The present study is being undertaken to<br />
validate the effectiveness of the QTL mediated transfer of Striga resistance.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
All selected backcross lines from the partners countries have been evaluated for the presence and absence<br />
of markers for the major Qtls indentified for Striga resistance in the mapping population. These lines were<br />
now evaluated in field trials with artificial Striga infestation in Samanko and at Sotuba during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
season.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Initial results indicate that the number of QTLs is not correlated with the level of resistance to Striga<br />
observed in the field trials. More detailed data analysis is required, before drawing firm conclusions<br />
Peter Muth, Fred Rattunde and Eva Weltzien<br />
Output target 2011: 3.2.6 Tools for large scale dissemination of integrated Striga management practices<br />
tested in at least 2 countries in WCA<br />
Development and evaluation of integrated Striga and soil fertility management for pearl millet in Mali<br />
using cluster-based farmer field schools<br />
Rationale<br />
Striga hermonthica and soil fertility are frequently mentioned by farmers as two main constraints to cereal<br />
production in the Sahel region of West Africa. An integrated Striga and soil fertility management (ISSFM)<br />
strategy that uses combinations of practical and simple control methods has high potential for success and<br />
application by farmers. However, ISSFM is knowledge-intensive and needs adaptation to the local farming<br />
system, and cropping conditions.<br />
161
Materials and Methods<br />
Cluster-based farmer field schools (CBFFS) for ISSFM were implemented in four townships in 2007 and<br />
2008 in the district of Tominian, Mali (Figure1). During farmer focus group interviews, local farmer<br />
practice (FP) for pearl millet cultivation was determined, different Striga control options were considered<br />
and subsequently, an ISSFM strategy was developed. This strategy consisted of application of organic<br />
fertiliser, microdose application of NPK fertilizer at sowing, intercropping of pearl millet with cowpea or<br />
groundnut, microdose application of urea at 4-6 weeks after sowing (WAS) and additional weeding at the<br />
start of Striga flowering (12-14 WAS). ISSFM was tested against FP under supervision of a facilitator and<br />
with regular interventions by scientists/specialists. For two consecutive years, yield of pearl millet grain,<br />
cowpea or groundnut grain and fodder and Striga seed bank was observed. A participatory evaluation and<br />
cost-benefit analysis of FP and ISSFM was performed with the farmers.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
ISSFM reduced emerged Striga and seed bank density, increased crop productivity and profitability in<br />
comparison to FP (Table 1). The availability and cost of fertilizers as well as difficulty of combining<br />
intercropping with a second weeding by animal drawn implements were indicated by farmers as potential<br />
bottlenecks to the adoption of all ISSFM control options in its current form. Preference was given to the<br />
options that did not require cash investment such as organic fertilizer, intercropping and additional weeding<br />
(Table 2). The cluster-based farmer field school proved very successful in stimulating not only<br />
technician/researcher-farmer knowledge exchange, but also farmer-farmer knowledge exchange.<br />
Conclusions<br />
It is essential to ensure that the necessary inputs for the ISSFM options are available in the local markets.<br />
There is a need to study and determine the impact of CBFFS on farmer knowledge and adoption of control<br />
options and ISSFM by farmer trainers, participants and non-participants within and outside intervention<br />
villages.<br />
Similar models of CBFFS were carried in the Sudanian zone, with sorghum in the Made region, as well as<br />
in Dioila cercle in Mali. The sites in Djenne and Mopti cerlce were continued for a second year. In<br />
Tominian cercle the farmer union conducted demonstration plots with the best practices identified during<br />
the CBFFS.<br />
Table 1. Partial costs, benefits and profits for FP and ISSFM for year 1 and 2 in the Segou region of<br />
Mali in the period 2007-2009<br />
Township Cost (€/ha) Benefits (€/ha) Profit (€/ha)<br />
Year 1 FP ISSFM FP ISSFM FP ISSFM<br />
4 CBFFS 126 213 93 429 -33 216<br />
(19 trials)<br />
SED 1.4*** 27.5*** 26.9***<br />
Year 2<br />
4 CBFFS 104 195 100 384 -4 190<br />
(19 trials)<br />
SED 1.6*** 23.2*** 23.7***<br />
*** Significantly different at P
Improves soil fertility on<br />
the long term<br />
Reduces S. hermonthica and<br />
it’s negative effect on pearl<br />
millet<br />
drought<br />
May increase weeds and Striga<br />
when manure is of a bad<br />
quality or if organic material is<br />
not properly composted<br />
May bring noxious insects and<br />
animals to the field (grubs,<br />
scorpions, snakes)<br />
2. Intercropping<br />
pearl millet and<br />
cowpea or<br />
groundnut<br />
3. Manual<br />
weeding of Striga<br />
at flowering<br />
4. Urea microdosing<br />
at booting<br />
stage pearl millet<br />
Can reduce the surface area<br />
cropped per person<br />
Allows for the harvest of<br />
two crops in the same field<br />
Conserves soil humidity and<br />
reduces S. hermonthica<br />
Suppresses excessive S.<br />
hermonthica development<br />
Improves efficiency of<br />
(organic) fertilizer applied<br />
Reduces S. hermonthica<br />
presence in the field and<br />
seed in the soil<br />
Allows for better pearl<br />
millet development in future<br />
years<br />
May improve grain filling<br />
of pearl millet within the<br />
season applied<br />
Improves pearl millet<br />
growth<br />
With soil humidity, reduces<br />
S. hermonthica emergence<br />
Reduces the negative effect<br />
of S. hermonthica<br />
Improves the effect of<br />
manure/compost on pearl<br />
millet<br />
Does not contain weed<br />
seeds, nor Striga seeds<br />
Sowing and especially weeding<br />
becomes more laborious<br />
Second weeding with an oxen<br />
plough becomes very<br />
difficult/impossible<br />
The option may not be<br />
effective if rains persist and S.<br />
hermonthica may regrow<br />
In combination with drought<br />
may damage the pearl millet<br />
crop<br />
No monetary costs<br />
Soil humidity<br />
Harvest of two<br />
crops<br />
No monetary costs<br />
Reduces Striga on<br />
long term<br />
Beneficial effect on<br />
crop growth in<br />
combination with<br />
manure or compost<br />
5. NPK microdosing<br />
on pearl<br />
millet at sowing<br />
Favours early pearl millet<br />
development<br />
Can reduce Striga<br />
Concentrated, less volume<br />
and work than organic<br />
fertilizer, can be applied to<br />
larger area<br />
Does not contain weed<br />
seeds, nor Striga seeds<br />
With drought, may damage<br />
pearl millet<br />
The cost and availability of<br />
fertilizer at sowing<br />
Has to be applied at the right<br />
moment, place and quantity<br />
(difficult to apply)<br />
No cash at sowing<br />
Tom van Mourik<br />
163
Output 3: Crop management, Aspergillus flavus resistant groundnut varieties and post-harvest<br />
technologies to reduce aflatoxin contamination in food and feed products, as well as micronutrient rich<br />
cereal varieties and processing techniques to improve bio-availability developed, tested and made<br />
available to partners with new knowledge in the SAT of WCA<br />
Target <strong>2010</strong><br />
3.3.2 ELISA testing lab set up at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Bamako<br />
Rationale<br />
ELISA is a low cost effective method for aflatoxin diagnosis in groundnut. Having such a facility in each of<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> locations will enhance development of integrated management of aflatoxin contamination in<br />
groundnut.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
An ELISA kit has been installed in the pathology lab at Samanko. The necessary chemicals for analysis<br />
purchased and groundnut samples are routinely analyzed for aflatoxin contamination.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The aflatoxin lab at Samanko is operational. A minimum of 2000 samples is analyzed every month.<br />
Outside users such as YIRIWA company in Mali which exports groundnuts to Europe has requested<br />
services for pre-shipment analysis. This will bring in additional resources to enable the lab to have the<br />
necessary consumables including hardware.<br />
F Waliyar, AT Diallo and B Ntare<br />
Target 2011: 3.3.1<br />
2-3 farmer-and market preferred groundnut varieties tolerant to aflatoxin contamination identified for<br />
dissemination by at least three NARS in WCA<br />
Rationale<br />
Previous results have shown that host plant resistance in combination with best-bet agronomies post harvest<br />
practices can reduce aflatoxin contamination significantly.<br />
Material and methods<br />
On-station and farm trials were conducted in Mali (Samanko and Kolokani) and Niger (Sadore, Maradi and<br />
Bengou) to evaluate new breeding lines as well management practices to minimize aflatoxin contamination.<br />
On station trails were replicated and alpha lattice design with there replications used. For on farm trials,<br />
each farmer was considered a replication.<br />
On-station evaluation of advanced breeding lines: In Mali, 23 breeding lines along with 1 resistant (55-<br />
437) and 1 susceptible (JL 24) checks were evaluated for yield and aflatoxin contamination levels in<br />
replicated 5 x 5 alpha lattice design with 3 replications. Each plot was 8 m 2 .<br />
In Niger, the trials were conducted at Sadoré and Bengou research stations. In all the trials, 55-437 and<br />
JL24 were used as resistant and susceptible checks, respectively. At Sadore, 7 groundnut breeding lines<br />
were evaluated along with 55-437 and JL 24 as resistant and susceptible checks respectively. The<br />
experimental design was a 3 x 3 lattice design with 3 replications and a plot size of 8 m 2 . At Bengou<br />
INRAN station, 16 lines along with the checks were evaluated in a Randomize Block Design (RBD) with 3<br />
replications and plat size of 8 m 2 .<br />
Evaluation of Inter-specific derivatives: Thirty two (32) interspecific derivatives along with 2 (55-437,<br />
J11) and 2 susceptible (JL 24 and Fleur11) checks were tested at Samanko. The design was 6 x 6 lattice<br />
with 2 replications and the plot size was 8 m 2 .<br />
164
Results and Discussions<br />
In the Mali trails pod and haulm yields ranged from 1.70 to 3.10 t/ha and 2.67 to 5.0 t/ha, respectively.<br />
Aflatoxin contamination levels ranged from 0.1 to 294 ppb. Among the 23 breeding lines tested, 19 lines<br />
recorded aflatoxin level of < 5.0 ppb compared to the 294 ppb. For example 9 lines such as ICG 6222,<br />
ICG7 (0.1 ppb), ICGV 91324 (0.2 ppb), ICGV 02171 (0.4 ppb), ICGV 91283 (0.5 ppb), ICGV 91315 (0.6<br />
ppb), ICGV 91317 (1.0 ppb), ICV 93305 (1.0 ppb) and ICGV 03315 (1.2 ppb) recorded aflatoxin levels<br />
equal or less that 1.00ppb compared to the susceptible check JL24 with 294 ppb and the resistant check 55-<br />
437 with 1.2 ppb.<br />
At Sadore all the 7 advanced lines recorded aflatoxin contamination levels (0.00 to 1.10 ppb) compared to<br />
1.5 ppb for the resistant and 2.9ppb for the susceptible checks. Overall the level of contamination was low<br />
in this test.<br />
At Bengou, fourteen lines recorded less than 4ppb aflatoxin content compared to the 60.3 ppb by the<br />
susceptible check . Pod yields were in most part less than 1.5 t/ha.<br />
At Maradi INRAN station, 15 breeding lines and a local variety were evaluated in Randomized Block<br />
Design (RBD) with 3 replications. The level of contamination was low in all the lines with aflatoxin<br />
content ranging from 0.1 to 2.7 ppb compared to 14.4 ppb for the local variety. Lines such ICGV 91284,<br />
ICGV 91278 and ICGV 91315 produced more pods yields and haulm yields than the check 55-437.<br />
Twenty one (21) interspecific derivatives showed good levels of resistance (less than 4ppb). Five of these<br />
such as 4655-7 (0.07 ppb), 4373-15 (0.07 ppb), 4670-9 (0.08 ppb), 4897-17 (0.10 ppb), 4897-15 (0.12 ppb)<br />
recorded aflatoxin contents lower or equal to those of the 2 resistant checks 55-437 (0.08 ppb) and J11<br />
(0.12 ppb). Concerning the resistance to early leaf spot, 30 were resistant (scores ≤ 5) against 8 and 9 for<br />
55-437 and J11, respectively.<br />
At Sadoré 23 interspecific derivatives were evaluated in 5 x 5 lattice design with 3 replications. Seventeen<br />
were resistant with aflatoxin content ≤ 4 ppb. Four of these [4364- 3 (0.1 ppb), 4366-4 (0.1 ppb), 4897-17<br />
(0.2 ppb) and 18-03 (0.3 ppb)] were more resistant than the resistant check 55-437 which recorded 1.0 ppb.<br />
Pod and haulm yield were generally far below those of 55-437 and Fleur 11.<br />
Conclusion: The results indicated that 19 interspecific derivatives have good levels of resistance to<br />
aflatoxin contamination across locations (Mali and Niger). In particular, derivatives 4366-4, 4897-17 and<br />
4655-2 were superior to the resistant check 55-437.<br />
On-farm trials: Ten advanced breeding lines were evaluated by 10 farmers in Kolokani district in Mali.<br />
Each farmer evaluated 3 lines along with a local variety, 1 resistant (55-437) and 1 susceptible (JL 24)<br />
checks in an unbalanced design with 20 replications (20 farmers). Each plot was 100 m 2 . All the 10 lines<br />
recorded aflatoxin levels of less than 2.00 ppb. Among these, 5 lines; ICGV 91324 (0.0 ppb), ICGV 93305<br />
(0.1 ppb), ICGV 91317 (0.3 ppb), ICGV 91283 (0.3 ppb) and ICGV 91315 (0.4 ppb) were the most<br />
resistant compared to the resistant check 55-437 (0.5 ppb), local variety (9.1 ppb) and JL 24 (26.8ppb) the<br />
susceptible check . These 5 lines also produced reasonable pod and high haulm yields.<br />
In Niger the trials were conducted in Bengou and Maradi. At Bengou, 17 breeding lines were evaluated by<br />
36 farmers. Each farmer evaluated 4 breeding lines along with a local variety. An unbalanced block design<br />
with 36 replications (36 farmers) was utilized. The elementary plot was 64 m 2 . Overall the level of<br />
aflatoxin contamination was low in all the test material including the local check. Pod and haulm yields<br />
were also generally low.<br />
Several of these breeding lines including ICGV 91283, ICGV 91315, ICGV 91324 and ICGV 94379<br />
produced more pods and Haulm yields compared to local variety.<br />
At Maradi Farmers fields, 15 groundnuts advanced breeding lines and 33 farmers were selected. In each<br />
farmer, 5 advanced breeding lines + 1 resistant check (55-437) were tested. The Unbalanced Block design<br />
with 33 replications (33 farmers) was used. The plots sizes were 64 m 2 . Among 15 groundnuts advanced<br />
breeding lines, 10 lines were resistant with aflatoxin content less than 4 ppb. From these breeding lines, 5<br />
165
lines including ICGV 93305, ICGV 91283, ICGV 91317 and ICGV 91324 were more resistant than the<br />
resistant check 55-437 with the content varying from 0.3 ppb to 1.2 ppb against 1.5 ppb for 55-437. In<br />
general, the pods and haulm yields were very low. However some resistant varieties like ICGV 91278 and<br />
ICGV 91324 produced pods and haulm yields higher than resistant check 55-437.<br />
F Waliyar and B Ntare<br />
Target 2011: 3.3.2<br />
Mini-core Groundnut collection phenotyped for tolerance to A. flavus and aflatoxin contamination<br />
Rationale<br />
High levels of sources of resistance to aflatoxin contamination in groundnut are not common. Thus the<br />
need to search for more stable sources of resistance as this is the most cost effective way of managing the<br />
problem.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Thirty four (34) germplasm lines identified from the mini-core collection as resistant to aflatoxin<br />
contamination were included in this trial to confirm their resistance. These along with a resistant (55-437)<br />
and a susceptible (JL 24) checks were laid out in 6 x 6 lattice design with 3 replications. The elementary<br />
plots were 8 m 2 .<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Out of 34 lines, 31 recorded less than 4 ppb. Among these, 13 lines including ICG 14630 (0.0 ppb), ICG<br />
1415 (0.1 ppb), ICG 3584 (0.1 ppb), ICG 8490 (0.1 ppb) and ICG 332 (0.3 ppb) were more resistant than<br />
the resistant check 55-437 (1.1 ppb). These results were comparable to those obtained in the previous year.<br />
However pods and haulms yields of these lines were low in general.<br />
F Waliyar and B Ntare<br />
Target 2011: 3.3.3<br />
Two sorghum and pearl millet varieties with increased iron and zinc content, and low content of antinutritional<br />
factors available for cultivation in at least two countries in WCA<br />
Pearl millet Biofortification<br />
Rationale<br />
Pearl millet and sorghum contribute up to 80% of the daily calorie intake in rural regions of WCA.<br />
Therefore, pearl millet and sorghum cultivars with enhanced bioavailable Fe/Zn contents can largely<br />
contribute to improving nutrition of women and children in these regions.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Two activities fall under this milestone:<br />
1. Screening of cultivars for high Fe/Zn contents.<br />
2. Transfer of high Fe/Zn contents into later flowering, longer panicle pearl millet types: In 2008, fullsib<br />
(FS) family selection trials were conducted with FS families derived from the crosses of GB8735<br />
x ICMV IS99001, GB8735 x ICMV IS92222 and GB8735 x ICMV IS89305. In these crosses,<br />
GB8735 is the donor for high Fe/Zn, but too early flowering and short panicles, so the high Fe/Zn<br />
was to be transferred into later flowering, longer panicle cultivars via recurrent selection. A two-step<br />
selection procedure was followed: selection for agronomic performance in the first step and selection<br />
for Fe/Zn contents in the second step. Fe/Zn analyses were performed at University of Hohenheim.<br />
While results were of very high quality, analyses took almost one year, therefore the delay in<br />
completing the selection cycle. Remnant seed of the best FS were to be recombined in the off-season<br />
of January <strong>2010</strong> to form new experimental cultivars with high Fe/Zn values and later flowering and<br />
longer panicles than GB8735.<br />
166
Results and Discussions<br />
1. Screening of cultivars for high Fe/Zn contents: Two high Fe/Zn pearl millet cultivars have been<br />
identified during previous projects (Harvest Plus, BMZ Mobilizing regional diversity) and are currently<br />
available for use: GB8735 and ICRI-Tabi. Within the EU-funded INSTAPA project, grains of GB8735 and<br />
ICRI-Tabi are currently used in Burkina Faso in a nutrition trial with children to assess its real effect on<br />
improving children nutrition (PhD study by Mme Fatoumata Hama). For this purpose 160 kg of ICRI-Tabi<br />
and 60 kg of GB8735 grain had been produced by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger in the rainy season <strong>2010</strong> and provided<br />
to Mme Fatoumata at Ouagadougou in November <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
2. Transfer of high Fe/Zn contents into later flowering, longer panicle pearl millet types: Six new<br />
experimental cultivars were attempted to be derived from the first selection cycle (one yield-based and one<br />
Fe/Zn-content-based for each of the three crossing populations as listed above), but the recombination of<br />
the materials did not yield sufficient seed because of severe irrigation problems in the off-season of January<br />
<strong>2010</strong> at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niamey. The seed needs to be multiplied further before a validation of the cultivars can<br />
begin. For the second selection cycle, 78 new Fs families were produced (low number again due to<br />
irrigation problems) among high Fe/Zn and above-average yielding FS families of the first selection cycle.<br />
These were tested at Sadore in the rainy season <strong>2010</strong>. Grain samples have been brought to University of<br />
Hohenheim for Fe/Zn analysis in January 2011 and results are awaited.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The long time required to get grain samples analyzed for Fe and Zn contents slows down progress of<br />
recurrent selection efforts. It would be better if such type of analyses could be done within the WCA<br />
region.<br />
Bettina IG Haussmann and Eva Weltzien<br />
Sorghum varieties with increased iron and zinc content identified for cultivation by women farmers<br />
Rationale<br />
There is a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies particularly of Fe and Zn in rural Mali. Sorghum<br />
contributes to about 50% of Fe intake and about 70% of Zn intake for young children and mothers. Women<br />
farmers feed their children an extra meal from their own farms as such production and consumption of high<br />
Fe and Zn varieties by women farmers can contribute to improved nutritional status of women and children.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The trial involving 3 varieties were conducted by 31 women farmers in 15 villages. Two of four high Fe<br />
and Zn sorghum varieties previously identified in an on-station trial were provided by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Each<br />
farmer evaluated 2 high Fe/Zn varieties and a local variety. The 4 high Fe/Zn varieties were: Seguetana,<br />
Tieble, Nionifing and Yalama. One part of the plot was fertilized with Zn; the other left as a control.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Zn fertilization did not have an effect on both grain Fe and Zn contents. However, there were significant<br />
differences in the varieties regarding grain Fe and Zn contents with the improved varieties showing a<br />
significantly higher Fe and Zn contents compared to the local check varieties. There were also no<br />
interactions between the varieties and whether or not they were Zn fertilized. Zn fertilization has been<br />
showed to significantly increase the grain Zn content in wheat. However, the timing and method of Zn<br />
application have been shown to be limiting factors and could explain why no effect was seen in this trial.<br />
Foliar application of Zn has been shown to be more efficient than soil application of Zn. Other soil fertility<br />
factors might also explain why no effect was observed.<br />
Conclusion<br />
Zn fertilization can increase grain Zn content. However, timing and mode of application of Zn fertilizer<br />
should be optimized to have positive results. In addition, exiting soil fertility management practices should<br />
be considered.<br />
Vera Lugutuah, Eva Weltzien and Fred Rattunde<br />
167
Output 4: High quality seed of adapted, released varieties of sorghum, pearl millet and groundnut<br />
accessible and affordable to small scale farmers in a timely manner through networks of agro-input<br />
dealers, seed entrepreneurs and breeders, both public and private by focusing on sustainable breeder<br />
and foundation seed production and creating an enabling agricultural environment for regional seed<br />
trade in West Africa<br />
Target <strong>2010</strong>: 3.4.1<br />
Improved agricultural enabling environment established for marketing high quality seed of sorghum, millet<br />
groundnut, etc. between West African Countries<br />
Rationale<br />
For countries to be able to trade seeds intraregionally, the Economic Community of the Western African<br />
States (ECOWAS) adopted in 2007 a technical agreement on three policies for the development of the seed<br />
industry in West Africa. These agreements comprise: i) a Regional Variety Release System, which allows<br />
varieties to be marketed in all 17 ECOWAS countries; ii) an ECOWAS Seed Certification System, which<br />
harmonizes all national seed standards into a single regional set of standards for the 11 most traded crop<br />
seeds; and iii) an accreditation system for seed laboratories and seed businesses to conduct seed<br />
certification activities.<br />
For countries to be able to legally adopt the regional agreements, modifications to existing norms reflecting<br />
the changes, must be enacted. Experience elsewhere shows that these changes may not occur simply by use<br />
of national efforts. They do require technical assistance and follow-up. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> WASA Seeds Project<br />
specialists participated in the development of both these regional and national seed regulations.<br />
The regional variety release system adopted is the nucleus of the seed trade harmonization agreements. The<br />
system needs to be established, software finalized, loaded and thoroughly tested before opening to private<br />
and public sector variety registration for regional marketing of their varieties. It is important that the<br />
national seed authority in charge with variety release process in all 17 countries is familiar and assisted<br />
with such hardware and software.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The analysis and modification of national seed laws are facilitated by WASA Seeds Project in collaboration<br />
with Iowa State University and the “Comité Inter-Etat de Lutte Contre la Sécheresse dans le Sahel”<br />
(ISU/CILSS) team through tabulation of existing regulations and matching them with the agreements. A<br />
seed regulatory monitoring working group (WG) comprised of the related government seed authorities and<br />
the local seed association was established in each of the referenced countries. The national focal points,<br />
with the support of ISU/CILSS, were tasked with setting up the WGs. These WGs reviewed and proposed<br />
the regulatory modification in a legally acceptable format, which were then reviewed by ISU/CILSS.<br />
Subsequently, the same WG took responsibility for follow-up with the appropriate authorities for approval.<br />
These WGs were neither demand-driven nor donor-pushed, but rather a proposed mechanism to ensure that<br />
the necessary modifications to the legislation/regulations take effect. The WGs, comprised of five people,<br />
are scheduled to meet three times, two days each time, at a mutually convenient location. The publication<br />
and distribution of the Harmonized Technical Seed Agreements was critical for keeping all stakeholders<br />
informed.<br />
For the implementation of the regional seed variety catalogue, a database application for variety registration<br />
in both English and French was developed and the software in CD-format was provided to ECOWAS<br />
regional office. The software includes application, DUS, VCU and management modules. IT survey for<br />
regional office was completed in March and survey was sent in July for national offices. Software and<br />
hardware specifications were developed and provided to regional office; DUS comparison module was<br />
developed and integrated with main database software. Software installation and training was provided to<br />
regional office (July 12 and 13, <strong>2010</strong>) and to national seed authority agents in Mali.<br />
168
Results and Discussions<br />
Following the regional Regulation (C/Reg.4/05/2008) on the harmonization of rules governing quality<br />
control, certification and marketing of seeds in the ECOWAS region, new seed laws of Mali and Ghana<br />
were developed and approved in <strong>2010</strong>. Burkina Faso and Niger have already completed most of the steps<br />
described above and other countries will be assisted following the same model.<br />
Ram Shetty, K. Kodio and E Lin<br />
Target 2011<br />
3.4.1 Improving the availability of breeder and foundation seed by NARS, other public sector and private<br />
sector entities<br />
Breeders and Foundation Seed production by NARS<br />
Rationale<br />
In West Africa, quality seed supply is a major constraint. When the Seeds Project (the<br />
Project) began in 2007, one of the initial findings in all six participating countries – Ghana,<br />
Mali, Niger and Nigeria-Burkina Faso and Senegal – was the poor quality of breeder seed coming from<br />
national agricultural research systems (NARS) and the almost complete absence of quality foundation seed<br />
production.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
In 2009, in Ghana, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, WASA-Seeds Project worked with the NARS in purifying<br />
breeder seed and jumpstarting the production of foundation seed. This work continued in <strong>2010</strong> in order to<br />
make sufficient stocks of high-quality foundation seed of improved varieties available for private seed<br />
companies/seed entrepreneurs. The foundation seeds produced in 2009 were distributed to seed producers<br />
and commercial seed companies (mostly in Nigeria) for the production of certified seeds to be marketed to<br />
farmers.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
The table 1 on next page presents the volume of seed produced per seed category and per crop in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Table 1: Volume of seeds produced in <strong>2010</strong> under WASA-SP assistance<br />
Seed<br />
category<br />
Commodity<br />
UNIT<br />
Country<br />
Burkina<br />
Faso<br />
Breeder seed Cowpea Kg 60 20 0 0 0 0 80<br />
Ghana<br />
Groundnuts Kg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
Maize Kg 100 60 0 0 0 0 160<br />
Millet Kg 0 0 0 136 0 0 136<br />
Rice Kg 500 0 0 0 0 0 500<br />
Sorghum Kg 90 0 0 0 0 0 90<br />
vegetables Kg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
Mali<br />
Niger<br />
Nigeria<br />
Seneg 1 al<br />
Total<br />
Foundation<br />
seed<br />
Cowpea Kg 500 0 0 2 094 0 0 2 594<br />
Groundnuts Kg 0 0 0 5 0 0 5<br />
Maize Kg 3 000 0 0 214 0 0 3 214<br />
Millet Kg 0 0 0 36 267 38 000 0 74 267<br />
1 All foundation seeds commissioned with ISRA still under certification.<br />
169
Rice Kg 2 000 0 0 0 0 0 2 000<br />
Sorghum Kg 700 0 0 0 0 0 700<br />
Vegetables Kg 0 0 0 153 0 0 153<br />
Certified seed Cowpea Tons 0 0 7 5 0 0 12<br />
Groundnuts Tons 0 0 6 5 0 0 11<br />
Maize Tons 91 146 25 0 0 0 262<br />
Millet Tons 0 0 6 0 0 0 6<br />
Rice Tons 11 0 30 0 0 0 41<br />
Sorghum Tons 0 0 7 15 0 0 22<br />
Vegetables Kg 0 0 30 0 0 0 30<br />
Groundnut Foundation Seed<br />
SVR Shetty, K Kodjo and Edo Lin<br />
Rationale<br />
Lack of sufficient breeder and foundation seeds are a major bottle neck in the groundnut seed sector.<br />
Efforts are being made to augment those of NARS to produce foundation seed of the most popular varieties<br />
in Mali.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The activity involves supply of seed produced in the previous season on request and on-station production<br />
of breeder and foundation seed of popular varieties.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
At the beginning of the crop season, we distributed a total of 1475 kg of both breeder and foundation seed<br />
of six varieties on high demand to various users including projects, non-governmental organizations and<br />
seed companies. The quantities were as follows: 255 kg of 4 varieties to WASA-SP in Niger; 60 kg of one<br />
variety to COPRO-SEM, 50 kg of one variety to Agro Action Allemande; 150 kg of 3 varieties to<br />
Millennium Village project in Mali , 120 kg of one variety to the sorghum program; and 40 kg to a grain<br />
producers. During the crop season we produced 1580 kg of breeder seed (in shell) of 29 advanced breeding<br />
lines. For foundation seed, we produced 1281 kg of 7 varieties with quantities ranging from 55 to 730 kg<br />
per variety.<br />
Conclusion<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> remains the only source of breeder seed of groundnut in Mali. Efforts are under way in<br />
collaboration with WASA Seed Project to develop a business plan for the Foundation Seed Unit at IER in<br />
Mali for breeder and foundation seed.<br />
B Ntare<br />
Pearl Millet Foundation Seed<br />
Rationale<br />
Sufficient availability of foundation seed is a major requirement to enhance impact of new improved<br />
cultivars. Beyond seed production itself, it is important to establish new partnerships and to train new seed<br />
producers in foundation and certified seed production.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
1. Foundation seed of elite pearl millet cultivars is regularly produced in isolation plots at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger<br />
(Sadore station: one rainy season and two off-seasons) and partially also at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Mali.<br />
2. Furthermore, within the frame of the HOPE project, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger linked up with the private Alheri<br />
seed enterprise led by Issoufou Maizama at Doutchi. <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger provided 925 kg breeders seed<br />
170
covering three <strong>ICRISAT</strong> varieties (Sosat-C88: 500 kg for 100 ha; ICMV IS 89305: 300 kg for 60 ha;<br />
ICMV IS 94206: 125 kg for 25 ha) to Alheri.<br />
3. Three training courses in seed production were held in cooperation with WASA.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
1. In <strong>2010</strong>, a total of 9100 kg breeders or foundation seed covering 11 different pearl millet cultivars<br />
(ICMV IS 89305, ICMV IS 92222, ICMV IS 94206, ICMV IS 99001, GB 8735, SOSAT-C88, PE05539,<br />
PE05572, Mil de Siaka (PE0 5578-C2), SounaMau (PE08030), ICRI-Tabi) was available with the<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger millet breeding program. In addition to the seed mentioned, further seed of other new<br />
experimental cultivars is produced via manual sibbing, because of lack of further adequate isolation plots.<br />
2. The seed produced by the Alheri seed enterprise in cooperation with <strong>ICRISAT</strong> is currently being cleaned<br />
up, after which final production data will be available. The cooperation is expected to significantly enhance<br />
impact of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> cultivars in Niger. Parts of the seed produced by Alheri will be used in HOPE Minipacks<br />
in 2011.<br />
3. In cooperation with WASA (Paul Buckner) with co-financing by HOPE a total of 66 seed producers<br />
were trained in three two-day training courses held at Mayayi (targeting seed producers at Mayayi (ACH),<br />
Serkin Haoussa, Sae Saboa, El Colta (all Fuma Gaskiya), Keita (targeting farmers linked to ACH at Keita<br />
and Croix Rouge at Tahoua) and Sadore (with seed producers from Mooriben Tera, Falwel, Bokki, and<br />
Dantchiandou). It is planned to further cooperate with the most serious seed producers identified to enhance<br />
also foundation seed production, as <strong>ICRISAT</strong> alone cannot produce sufficient quantities of foundation seed<br />
for the whole WCA region.<br />
Conclusions<br />
To make seed production and marketing more efficient at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, it was suggested to the WA director to<br />
establish a seed unit at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger. A proposal needs to be developed in this regard.<br />
Bettina IG. Haussmann<br />
Sorghum Breeder and Foundation Seed Production, training for seed production<br />
Rationale<br />
Availability of breeders’ seed and foundation seed is critical for ensuring the production of certified seed.<br />
Progress with hybrid seed production is essential, to promote adoption.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Breeders seed and Foundation seed of varieties with low stocks, and of hybrid parents were produced in<br />
close collaboration with IER, and well trained farmers. On station 2 varieties were produced during the<br />
off-season, and two others during the rainy season. One variety, Tieble, was produced in collaboration with<br />
an experienced farmer.<br />
Training for seed production focused on producing hybrid seed. Interested producers in two zones of Mali,<br />
member of two different seed commercialization groups, were trained first in April, to assure that planning<br />
of crop allocation to fields could take hybrid sorghum seed production into account. Practical aspects of<br />
sowing the hybrid seed production ploys were explained during seed distribution. Training on ensuring<br />
good levels of pollination of the female plants, and the procedures for safe harvest were held during three<br />
one day courses, in Dioila, Siby and Bamako, for farmers and private seed enterprises.<br />
Certified seed of varieties was produced by 3 different farmers’ cooperatives, partially in arrangements<br />
with private sector seed companies, who have successfully marketed some of the varieties.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Seed certification is not finalized, thus quantities cannot yet be reported. Experiences with hybrid seed<br />
production were mostly positive, in s isolation distances were maintained by all producers, and the<br />
production fields were well managed. Nicking of the female and male parents was good, with the exception<br />
171
of one case of late sowing, where then the photoperiod sensitive male parents flowered before the<br />
photoperiod insensitive female parent.<br />
Conclusions<br />
In order to increase total see production, farmers will have to enter more contractual type arrangements,<br />
which will allow them to get credit for input purchase. Experiences of integrating hybrid seed production<br />
with grain production for food security have been positive. This will be pursued in further detail.<br />
Fred Rattunde, Abdoulaye Diallo, Mamourou Sidibe and Eva Weltzien<br />
Target 2011: 3.4.2<br />
Seed dissemination channels assessed in at least one country in WCA<br />
Effect of different farmers’ production strategies on the heterogeneity of seed grain of the commercial<br />
variety “Soumba” assessed. Continue the documentation of farmers practices to produce seed of the<br />
Soumba variety on-farm<br />
Rationale<br />
The IMAS project (CIRAD/IER/<strong>ICRISAT</strong>) analyses the resilience of seed systems and the effects of the<br />
introduction of new varietal diversity into the farming systems. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> is involved in the study in the<br />
Mandé and Dioila region and is especially interested on seed management aspects and diffusion involving<br />
varieties introduced into the study areas through participatory research and trials since 2003.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
In <strong>2010</strong> two field trials were conducted to examine the variability, and so the success of the different seed<br />
selection methods to keep an introduced, improved variety (Soumba) pure. For this purpose seed of the<br />
Soumba variety was collected from 6 farmers in Magnambougou (6 bulks from the farmers’ seed stock) in<br />
March 2009. In October 2009, 30 panicles have been randomly collected in the fields of the 6 farmers<br />
sown with the same Soumba seed stock (+on fields of two new farmers). The farmers all used different<br />
seed management methods to produce their seed. In <strong>2010</strong> two field experiments were carried out:<br />
The first field trial was the repetition of the 2009 Soumba field trial, containing eight entries, including the<br />
six Soumba seed stocks of farmers. The six entries were sown together with two control Soumba varieties<br />
of different origine (foundation seed/<strong>ICRISAT</strong> and certified seed/ULPS) in a randomized block design at<br />
the Samanko station at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> with five row plots and four replications under poor fertility conditions<br />
8low phosphor). The objective was to count off-types in the farmer seed stocks and measure agronomic<br />
performance.<br />
A second experiment was a nursery of panicle lines derived from the 30 panicles collected from the farmer<br />
fields. The objective of the nursery was to identify the number of off-types and to compare the results with<br />
heterogeneity levels analysed by microsatellite markers in the collected panicles.<br />
Results and Discussions<br />
Results of the 2009 experiment and the number of off-types counted in the progenies of the 30 panicles of<br />
the different Soumba seed stocks are presented in Table 2. Data of the <strong>2010</strong> trial is being analyzed.<br />
Kirsten vom Brocke and Eva Weltzien<br />
172
MTP Project 4:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Producing more and better food from staple cereals (sorghum<br />
and millets) and legumes (groundnuts, chickpea and pigeonpea)<br />
at lower cost in the eastern and southern African (ESA) SAT<br />
through genetic improvement<br />
Mary A Mgonja<br />
Project summary<br />
Project 4 contributes to the overall goal of achieving sustainable food, nutrition and<br />
income security of farm families in ESA and is responding to CGIAR System Priorities<br />
i) 2A to increase yield and considering pro- poor traits (pests, diseases and Striga), ii) 2B abiotic<br />
stresses (drought) and (iii) 2C on nutritional quality of sorghum, pearl and finger millet through biofortification;<br />
and on food safety issues associated with aflatoxins in groundnut. The project has five<br />
outputs designed around the three Science Priority areas but linked with other SP and projects.<br />
Highlight of <strong>2010</strong> progress by outputs are provided below:<br />
Output: 4.1 Sustainable regional breeding networks that integrate conventional and<br />
biotechnology tools established and associated capacity building implemented.<br />
This output emphasizes on strengthening the efficiency of breeding and cultivar evaluation while<br />
conserving and making maximum use of the natural genetic resource base (linked to project 2). i)<br />
Regionally-based task networks integrate farmer participation and include regional evaluation teams<br />
across the ESA region and are focusing in addressing constraints on drought through sorghum and<br />
millet variety and hybrid evaluation, midge, sweet sorghum and on constraints expressed in the sub<br />
humid environments and on finger millet evaluation ii) Groundnut teams evaluated varieties for<br />
regional adaptation and capacity building focusing on Seed Technology and Crop Science iii) )<br />
pigeon pea team in Tanzania and Malawi that were supplied with high yielding early, medium and<br />
long duration genotypes for evaluation and seed increase resulted in the release of 4 varieties. iii) Desi<br />
and Kabuli chickpea genotypes with resistance to Fusarium wilt were availed for further evaluation in<br />
Kenya and Tanzania. Breeding networks emerge from collaborative development and implementation<br />
of regionally oriented projects such as Tropical Legume II and HOPE for dryland cereals.<br />
Output 4.2 Improved germplasm and parental lines of adaptable sorghum, pearl millet, pigeon<br />
pea, chickpea and groundnut that are resistant to chronic biotic stresses and meet end user<br />
preferences. Genetically diverse breeding populations were developed and advanced for sharing with<br />
partners for further selection e.g sorghum lines that are resistant to striga (developed using MAS),<br />
midge, stem borers and leaf diseases and bristled pearl millet varieties were developed and tested in<br />
Eritrea and Kenya. Hybrids and OPV sorghum , pearl millet and finger millet were tested in multilocation<br />
trials targeting diverse agro ecologies fro adaptation , and stability and mew test crosses<br />
evaluations were conducted to feed into the regional trials to provide researchers and farmers with<br />
more options. Genetic diversity was created for pigeonpeas and populations segregating for resistance<br />
to fusarium wilt were developed. Sources of groundnuts resistance to early and late leaf spots, rosette<br />
and aflatoxin contamination have been confirmed and the phenotyping and genotyping of pigeon pea<br />
and groundnuts was completed. Seed of various classes were produced for all the five crop. Capacity<br />
building was provided on need basis<br />
Output 4.3 New knowledge of the QTLs for the stay green and drought tolerance traits<br />
confirmed, specific abiotic stress tolerant varieties and associated knowledge and capacity<br />
development.<br />
Drought is considered to be the primary cause of yield reductions for crops in Sub-Saharan Africa.<br />
Early maturing varieties that escape terminal drought have been developed and introgression of Staygreen<br />
(Sg) into farmer varieties is going on as a mechanism to confer drought tolerance. Stay-green<br />
QTL from two <strong>ICRISAT</strong> donor parents (B35 and E36-1) were introgressed through MABC into 4<br />
farmer-preferred Ethiopian sorghum varieties (76T1#23, Meko, Gambella and Teshale and will be<br />
advanced BC3S2 in 2009. The phenotyping of improved lines with introgressed staygreen QTL from<br />
India planned for Ethiopia to evaluate the effect of the stay-green QTL in Africa was implemented in<br />
<strong>2010</strong> however data is yet to be received. For groundnuts, nuclear seed of 201 lines in Advanced to<br />
Elite trials in ESA were produced in quantities ranging from 5 – 80 kgs in Malawi, Mozambique and<br />
Tanzania. Approximately 10 tons breeder seed of 16 popular released varieties in the three countries<br />
was also produced in support of foundation/basic seed multiplications<br />
173
Output 4.4 Progress in knowledge and/or improved germplasm of nutritionally enhanced<br />
transgenic sorghum and biofortified germplasm with enhanced micronutrient levels available for<br />
evaluation. The deployment of transgenic sorghum is likely to be met by trepidation that gene flow<br />
will negatively impact the environment. . The consequence of the transgene movement will however<br />
depend on the nature of the transgenic trait. The hybrid fitness study demonstrated that hybrids between<br />
wild and cultivated sorghum could survive under natural conditions but may not necessarily have an<br />
advantage over wild sorghum. Analysis of variance for the agronomic data taken revealed highly<br />
significant differences for all the traits among the breeding types. Differences were noted between the<br />
cultivated parents (Cult x Cult) and the hybrids (Cult x Wild and Wild x Cult) and wild parents (Wild<br />
xWild). No significant differences were however noted between the wild parents; and the Wild x Cult<br />
hybrids, implying that at F 2 hybrids were not superior to the wild parents. These results are in<br />
agreement with earlier results from the same F3 populations grown in 2008/2009 and follows similar<br />
patterns as in the F1s and F2s earlier evaluated<br />
Output: 4.5 Technological options and knowledge to reduce groundnut aflatoxin contamination<br />
Aflatoxins contaminate groundnut and other agricultural commodities. Management is difficulty due<br />
to lack of awareness, environmental conditions and farming practices. Farmer Field Schools (FFS) are<br />
now successfully being used in ESA to promote aflatoxin management practices on farmers’ fields.<br />
Awareness of the problem is also easily discussed and understood using the informal learning nature of<br />
FFS. On-farm studies highlighted the role of good cultural practices like early planting and water<br />
management in the control of aflatoxin contamination. Resistant varieties have been identified from<br />
germplasm and elite trials and their their additional contribution through IGNRM packages<br />
documented. Finally, mapping of Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin contamination across districts in<br />
Malawi was completed.<br />
IPGs:<br />
• Breeding teams and breeding networks to address regional challenges,<br />
• Genetically diverse and improved germplasm, parental lines and varieties, new<br />
tools e.g. for aflatoxin diagnostics, traits discoveries and strengthened capacity.<br />
• Improved cereal and legume germplasm available for evaluation by collaborators ,<br />
• A platform with clear rules and regulations (SMTA) developed for germplasm exchange<br />
among the breeders in the collaborating countries<br />
Outcome:<br />
i) Partners in breeding networks share responsibilities and products<br />
ii) Partners have capacity to use and integrate new and more precise tools<br />
iii) Partners and farmers’ access to quality seed of improved high yielding and<br />
nutritious germplasm for further testing<br />
iv) partners and farmers have access to mycotoxin diagnostic tools and iv)<br />
improved knowledge on gene flow and GM deployment<br />
Impact:<br />
• Improved efficiency in breeding, better access to quality seed, nutritious and safe to use food,<br />
increased productivity and profitability and informed decision on environment management<br />
and biosafety policy<br />
• Improvement of biotechnology and conventional facilities in participating national programs<br />
and demonstrated the utility of inter-institutional research collaboration (at both regional and<br />
international levels)<br />
• Policy support for biotechnology<br />
• Farmers production and productivity will increase especially if the project links to project 1 on<br />
markets policy and institutions<br />
Output 4.1: Sustainable regional breeding networks that integrate conventional and<br />
biotechnology tools established and associated capacity building implemented<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.1: Three groups of task networks addressing the key constraints of drought and<br />
photoperiod response active in sharing improved germplasm regional<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved with elite lines available for sharing across countries in the region<br />
174
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NARS in Kenya (KARI) and Tanzania (DRD)<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Drought is one of the major abiotic constraints to crop production and productivity worldwide.<br />
Hence, development of drought tolerant cultivars is one of the major objectives of crop breeding<br />
programs. To identify drought tolerant germplasm lines, a genotype-based reference set comprising<br />
384 accessions (http://www.generationcp.org), selected from composite collection (41 SSR loci data<br />
on 3372 accessions) is being evaluated for post-flowering drought tolerance under well-watered<br />
(WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> sites and at NARS partners , Patancheru<br />
consecutively for two years during 2008-09 and 2009-<strong>2010</strong> postrainy season. As mentioned in the<br />
previous year’s report, the lines will be first classified into different phenological groups based on<br />
variation in days to 50% flowering. These subgroups will then be evaluated for post-flowering<br />
drought tolerance traits at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and other locations in the collaborating countries with the<br />
objective of identifying promising drought tolerant lines that are adaptable. The identified drought<br />
tolerant lines are already being shared with other national program partners like Ethiopia, Sudan,<br />
Tanzania and Eritrea. Photoperiodism is a trait that is required for sorghum adaptation to the areas<br />
with long season such as Tanzania, Mozambique and Zambia. Germplasm collections and evaluation<br />
made in Tanzania had 12 varieties that were shared with NARS in Mozambique and Zambia for<br />
further evaluation for direct use and or for use in crop improvement<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Generation Challenge Program (GCP) and HOPE<br />
M Mgonja, H Ojulong, E Manyasa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.1: At least one medium and one long duration pigeonpea variety released in<br />
two countries of ESA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Achieved 100 % targets by release of three medium duration (two in Malawi and one in Kenya) and<br />
one long duration variety(in Kenya). Similarly, high yielding and fusarium wilt resistant farmer and<br />
market preferred medium and long duration genotypes are under National performance Trials (NPT) in<br />
Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi; Selian Agricultural Research Institute-Tanzania; Ilonga Agricultural Research<br />
Institute-Tanzania; Chitedze Agricultural Research Station-Malawi; <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Lilongwe; Kenyan<br />
Agricultural Research Institute (Katumani)-Kenya; Leldet Seed Company-Kenya; Mozambique<br />
National Institute of Agricultural Research<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Long and medium duration varieties are highly popular among the smallholder farmers in ESA and<br />
there are definite niches to grow them. Long duration varieties are highly relevant for traditional maize<br />
based cropping systems and high altitude areas with relatively longer growing season Northern<br />
Tanzania, Southern Malawi, parts of Eastern Kenya and parts of Mozambique. With the advent of<br />
photo insensitive medium-duration varieties with ratoonability are grown in areas away from equator<br />
and drought prone/warm temperature areas (unsuitable for long-duration varieties) or areas with short<br />
growing season. Varietal release process in ESA in general is very slow but through concerted efforts<br />
by on-farm FPVS, demonstrations and farmers’ field days resulted in fast tracking of varietal releases.<br />
In total, one long duration (in Kenya) and three medium duration varieties (two in Malawi and one in<br />
Kenya) released in ESA. Similarly, 12 high yielding and fusarium wilt resistant farmer and market<br />
preferred medium (eight) and long duration (four) varieties are under various stages of National<br />
performance Trials (NPT)/DUS testing in Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique.<br />
175
In Kenya, last three years under treasure legumes project large number of FPVS and demos were<br />
organized, which facilitated in release of best-bet farmer choice varieties both in medium(ICEAP<br />
00850) and long duration (ICEAP 00932) group. Four more medium duration varieties (ICEAP 00557,<br />
00554, 00902, 00911) entered in to NPT and DUS evaluation is under progress in close collaboration<br />
with KEPHIS.<br />
In Tanzania, on-station and on-farm FPVS trials conducted in Babati, Karatu, Kondoa and Arumeru<br />
districts of Northern Tanzania under TL-II and Treasure legumes over years resulted in identification<br />
and inclusion of two medium (ICEAPs 00557, 00554) and two long duration varieties (ICEAP 00053,<br />
00932) in NPT.<br />
In Malawi, two medium duration varieties ICEAP 00557(Southern, Central and Northern regions) and<br />
ICEAP 01514/15 (Central and Northern regions) were released for cultivation.<br />
In Mozambique, two long duration varieties (ICEAPs 00040 and 00020) are under consideration for<br />
release and two medium duration varieties (ICEAPs 00557, 00554) are being evaluated.<br />
Quite a good number success stories of pigeonpea revolution in ESA in general and Babati district of<br />
Northern Tanzania in particular elicited wide spread interest among farmers, traders, researchers and<br />
policy makers. This coupled with large number of on-farm evaluations, varietal releases and demand<br />
from domestic and export markets elevated the place of pigeonpea in ESA’s agricultural map.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes-II, BMGF; Treasure legumes-IFAD; Kellogg’s fund<br />
SN Silim, NVPR Ganga Rao, Moses Siambi,<br />
M Somo, P Kalok and HHD Chipeta<br />
Output target 2011 4.1.1: Groundnut varietal adaptation trials including on-farm variety tests<br />
conducted and monitored in ESA countries<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as on station and ion farm trials were carried out in Tanzania, Malawi Mozambique and<br />
Uganda<br />
Countries involved:<br />
Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, National Smallholders Farmers<br />
Association (NASFAM) Malawi, CARE Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute Tanzania,<br />
Makutopora Research Station Tanzania, Diocese of Central Tanganyika, Diocese of Masasi and<br />
Tunduru, KMAS, Dutch Connection, Masasi District Council Tanzania, Dodoma District Council<br />
Tanzania, Chamwino District Council Tanzania, Department of Crop Development (DCD),<br />
Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA) and Tanzania Official Seed Certification Institute (TOSCI), Institute<br />
of Agricultural Research – Nampula Research Station Mozambique, Inhambane and Nampula Districts<br />
Mozambique, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Mozambique. Uganda National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO)<br />
Progress /Results:<br />
Identification of groundnut varieties with high yielding potential, market preferred traits and resistance<br />
to foliar diseases and aflatoxin is important in addressing stakeholders’ demands. Attention is being<br />
focused on developing and identifying varieties with resistance to rosette, rust, ELS, LLS, and<br />
aflatoxin, in addition to grain size and adaptation to varying environments across ESA. As a result<br />
germplasm was supplied for on-station and on-farm trials to collaborating partners within NARES.<br />
A total of 47 sets that includes: 19 in Tanzania, 14 in Malawi , and 14 in Mozambique of 13 different<br />
Elite Regional Trials and nurseries responding to different constraints inclusive of length of growing<br />
period, drought, rosette, rust and ELS were distributed for the 2009/10 season. These trials were<br />
evaluated on-station. Besides evaluating for high yield and resistance to drought and foliar diseases, one<br />
176
trial was supplied on request to Tanzania to screen for grain oil content. In Malawi the trials were<br />
planted at Chitedze, Chitala, and Kasinthula research stations; in Mozambique trials were planted in<br />
Nampulaand Inhambane provinces while in Tanzania trials were planted at Naliendele, Nachingwea,<br />
Bihawana, Hombolo, and Makutopora research stations. All the trials were laid out in a simple lattice<br />
design.<br />
Another set of 291 on-farm trials were evaluated in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania. These<br />
comprised of 18 sets by groups of farmers in Mozambique, 216 sets by individual farmers spread over 8<br />
districts in Malawi and 57 sets spread over 20 villages in 4 districts of Tanzania.<br />
• In Tanzania the best entries among the Elite Rust Resistant germplasm are ICGV-SM 03544,<br />
ICGV-SM 03521, and ICGV-SM 03510, that provided 51-64% yield superiority over the<br />
released varieties Nyota and 28 -39% over the popular variety Pendo (900 – 977 kg ha -1<br />
against 594 and 703kg ha -1 ). Among the Regional Elite Spanish varieties, ICGV-SM 99568<br />
and ICGV-SM 99566 were the best (1794 and 2038 kg ha -1 vs 960 kg ha -1 attained by the<br />
popular JL 24) 89 – 112% superiority. Among the Elite Regional Virginia, ICGV-SM 05606<br />
was the best 1341 kg ha -1 against 1129 kg ha -1 for CG 7 under no disease pressure.<br />
• In Malawi, superior lines were identified from the Elite Regional Spanish which includes,<br />
ICGV-SM 05723 (2373 kg ha -1 ), followed by ICGV-SM 99537 (2042 kg ha -1 ) and ICGV-SM<br />
94139 (1854 kg ha -1 ) against the standard popular JL 24 (1484 kg ha -1 ) reflecting a superiority<br />
of 25 - 60%. Among the Elite Virginia, the best three under high rosette pressure were ICGV-<br />
SM 01731 (1214 kg ha -1 ), ICGV-SM 05701 (1177 kg ha -1 ), and ICGV-SM 08503 (1138 kg ha -<br />
1 ), Yield superiority against the standard CG 7 (846 kg ha -1 ) was 35 - 43%.<br />
• In Mozambique, ICGV 94146 was the best (1663 kg ha -1 ), among the Elite drought tolerant<br />
lines compared to the released variety ICG 12991 also known as Nematil (1055 kg ha -1 ) a<br />
58% superiority across sites in Inhambane and Nampula. Other superior lines were ICGV-SM<br />
03502, ICGV-SM 03543 and ICGV 94139 all superior to Nematil by more than 24%.<br />
Among the elite rosette resistant lines, ICGV-SM 99566, ICGV-SM 03520 ICGV-SM 99541<br />
and ICGV-SM 01506 were among the best with grain yields ranging from 1330 – 1539 kg ha -1<br />
a 31 – 52% superiority over the released variety Nematil (1013 kg ha -1 ).<br />
• Following the release of 5 new varieties in Tanzania last year (ICGV-SM 01721, ICGV-SM<br />
01711, ICGV-SM 99555, ICGV-SM 99557, and ICGV-SM 83708) after 3 seasons of rigorous<br />
on-farm PVS the following new varieties were identified as potential candidates for a new<br />
round of on-farm verification trials - ICGV SM 03521 and ICGV SM 00537. Traits preferred<br />
by farmers were high yields, big pod size and tolerance to diseases<br />
• In Malawi, FPVS revealed that farmers preferred ICGV-SM 99567 and ICGV-SM 03576,<br />
Kakoma and Chitala of the Spanish types, and ICGV-SM series 01708 and 01728, 99772,<br />
Nsinjiro and Chalimbana 2005 of Virginia types based on ranking across sites in 2009/10 crop<br />
season and previous seasons<br />
• In Mozambique the most preferred varieties were ICGV-SM 01514, ICGV-SM 99541 and<br />
ICGV-SM 99568. Pod filling was the most preferred trait by farmers in Inhambane<br />
Mozambique where the biggest problem is pops.<br />
• In addition to the above, Uganda concluded the series of on-farm trials begun more than two<br />
seasons ago with the release of two new groundnut varieties in June <strong>2010</strong> as follows:<br />
o ICGV-SM 93535 the first red seeded rosette resistant variety in the region<br />
o ICGV-SM 99566 tan seeded early maturity (90-100 days) and rosette resistant<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes II and McKnight Foundation<br />
E S Monyo, S. Njoroge, O Mponda, A Chamango, M Amane,<br />
H Charlie, W Munthali and E Sichone-Chilumpha<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.2: At least 2 M.Sc students from ESA trained in pigeonpea and chickpea<br />
breeding and 2000 farmers trained in their production and management<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Achieved 100 % targets by training 3 students on chickpea and pigeonpea breeding. 9223 and 6163<br />
farmers trained on pigeonpea and chickpea production, seed production and utilization aspects,<br />
respectively.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia<br />
177
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi; <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru; Lake Zone Agricultural Research and Development Institute-<br />
Tanzania; Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Centre-Ethiopia; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute<br />
(Njoro) –Kenya; Selian Agricultural Research Institute-Tanzania; Ilonga Agricultural Research<br />
Institute-Tanzania; Chitedze Agricultural Research Station-Malawi; <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Lilongwe<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Pigeonpea and chickpea growing countries of ESA are constrained with acute shortage of technical<br />
manpower trained on crop improvement, production and utilization. Add to these farmers, agricultural<br />
extension staff and all other stakeholders are less aware about new superior varieties pigeonpea and<br />
chickpea and better production technologies. To develop long term resource base, trained 3 students on<br />
chickpea(two) and pigeonpea breeding(one); and 9223 and 6163 farmers trained on pigeonpea and<br />
chickpea production, seed production and utilization aspects, respectively.<br />
Two students (Peter Kaloki, Kenya and Tadesse Safera, Ethiopia) are working chickpea improvement.<br />
Peter Kaloki is trying to understand genetics/diversity of heat tolerance existing in kabuli and desi<br />
genotypes while Tadesse Safera working on molecular characterization of Ethiopian chickpea<br />
cultivars. One student from Tanzania (Mayomba Maryanna Maryange) is working on pigeonpea<br />
breeding.<br />
In ESA 6163 farmers were trained on various aspects of chickpea production technology, FPVS trials<br />
conduction and data collection, improved chickpea varieties, quality seed production, processing and<br />
post harvest handing including utilization in Ethiopia(5343), Tanzania(361) and Kenya(459).<br />
Similarly, 9223 ESA farmers were trained on various pigeonpea technologies through on-farm trials,<br />
field days, quality seed production, processing and utilization in Tanzania (7818) and Malawi (1405).<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes-II, BMGF<br />
SN Silim and NVPR Ganga<br />
Rao<br />
Output Target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.2. At least 2 M.Sc students from ESA trained in pigeonpea and chickpea<br />
breeding 1 MSc each in groundnut breeding and seed systems and 2000 farmers trained in their<br />
production and management<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as the 2 Msc students graduated<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, and Naliendele Agricultural<br />
Research Institute Tanzania,<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
In order to sustain the breeding program and seed systems in ESA there is need for more investment in<br />
training scientists on a continued basis as well as farmers on modern farming technologies. Enhanced<br />
skills will enable individuals to be more productive and being able to produce more output. Hence there<br />
was need to train staff in seed technology (Malawi) as well as conventional breeding (Tanzania) as one<br />
way of accelerating technological changes in their respective countries.<br />
Two students one from Malawi (Mr Wilson Chafutsa) registered at Bunda College of Agriculture and<br />
the other from Tanzania (Mr Juma Mfaume) registered at Sokoine University of Agricultere completed<br />
their MSc studies in Seed Technology and Crop Science respectively under TL2 in November <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Besides the MSc students, two PhD students from KwaZulu Natal University are under my supervision.<br />
These are Mr Justus Chintu from Malawi and Mr Amade Muitia from Mozambique both of them<br />
looking at the genetic control of rosette resistance in groundnuts and developing resistant varieties. Dr<br />
Njoroge (associate professional officer) met severally with Mr. Chintu, and provided him with relevant<br />
178
literature/material on groundnut diseases. He will work with him this season (<strong>2010</strong>/2011) on disease<br />
assessments in his trials.<br />
So far all the 2 MSc students completed their studies by end of <strong>2010</strong> and have reported back to their<br />
respective employers. Mr Chafutsa, a Malawian student is working with the ministry of Agriculture in<br />
the department of Research based at Kasinthula while Mr. Jume Mfaune, a Tanzanian national is<br />
working with the department of research and development in the ministry of Agriculture and is based at<br />
Naliendele research station. In Tanzania 1188 farmers and extension officers were trained in seed<br />
production in 2009/10. Two training sessions were organized in Malawi in February and April<br />
involving 22 extension officers and over 40 community facilitators as training of trainers in seed<br />
production.<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes LII<br />
E S Monyo, O Mponda and A Chamango<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.3: At least 500 kg of breeder seed and 10 t of seed of pigeonpea and chickpea<br />
produced to support on farm trial and demonstrations in 4 ESA countries (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Achieved 100 % targets, by producing breeder seed of released/NPT/ PVS varieties of pigeonpea<br />
(short, medium and long duration varieties) and chickpea (desi and kabuli).<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi; Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center-Ethiopia; Lake Zone Agricultural<br />
Research and Development Institute-Tanzania; Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Njoro)-Kenya;<br />
Selian Agricultural Research Institute-Tanzania; Ilonga Agricultural Research Institute-Tanzania;<br />
Chitedze Agricultural Research Station-Malawi; <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Lilongwe<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Access to quality seed is the major bottleneck in ESA for achieving greater impacts. Farmers mostly<br />
growing local varieties which are susceptible fusarium wilt and mixed grain quality. Availability of<br />
quality seed is very much critical for conduct of FPVS trials, large scale demonstrations, varietal<br />
releases and maintaining seed production chain. Accordingly, breeder seed of released/NPT/ PVS<br />
varieties of pigeonpea (short, medium and long duration) both under net and space/time isolations; and<br />
chickpea (desi and kabuli) produced. To increase the foundation seed farmer organizations, progressive<br />
farmers and private seed establishments were involved.<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi produced 3095 kg pigeonpea seed of seven long (ICEAPs 00040, 00053, 00020,<br />
00932, 00933, 00576-1, 00936) and five medium duration varieties (00557, 00554, 00850, 00902, and<br />
00911) and one short duration (ICPL 87091) produced in Kenya to meet seed requirements of varietal<br />
release, FPVS evaluation and on-farm demonstrations.<br />
12.3 t of breeder/foundation seed of ICEAPs 00557, 00554, 01514/15, 01480, 00040, ICP 9145 and<br />
Mthwajuni pigeonpea varieties was produced in Malawi. In Tanzania, 18.5 tons of breeder/foundation<br />
seed of ICEAPs 00557, 00554, 00053, 00040, 00932 in Karatu and Babati districts through private<br />
seed sector (Zenobia seeds), contract growers and Farmer associations.<br />
2800 kg chickpea breeder seed of five kabuli (ICCVs 97306, 95423, 00305, 96329, 92318) and four<br />
desi (ICCVs 97126, 00108, 92944, 97105) varieties was produced at Nairobi. About 9.5 tons of<br />
breeder/foundation seed of farmer-preferred varieties was produced by NARS partners in Tanzania<br />
(8.0 t) and Kenya (1.5 t). In Ethiopia, 9.75 t of breeder seed of 9 varieties (Monino, Marye, Arerti,<br />
Habru, Natoli, Ejere, Shasho, Mastewal and Minjar) and 47.5 t of foundation seeds of 8 varieties<br />
(Arereti, Ntoli, Habru, Shasho, Teji, Ejere, Chefe, Marye) was produced.<br />
179
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes-II, BMGF; Treasure Legumes project-IFAD<br />
SN Silim, NVPR Ganga Rao, P Kaloki,<br />
M Somo and Susan Njeri<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.3: At least 500 kg of breeder seed and 10 t of seed of pigeonpea and chickpea<br />
produced to support on farm trial and demonstrations in 4 ESA countries<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Achieved 100 % targets, by producing breeder seed of released/NPT/ PVS varieties of pigeonpea<br />
(short, medium and long duration varieties) and chickpea (desi and kabuli).<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Malawi<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi, Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center-Ethiopia, Lake Zone Agricultural<br />
Research and Development Institute-Tanzania, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Njoro)-Kenya,<br />
Selian Agricultural Research Institute-Tanzania, Ilonga Agricultural Research Institute-Tanzania,<br />
Chitedze Agricultural Research Station-Malawi, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Lilongwe<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi produced 3095 kg pigeonpea seed of seven long (ICEAPs 00040, 00053, 00020,<br />
00932, 00933, 00576-1, 00936) and five medium duration varieties (00557, 00554, 00850, 00902, and<br />
00911) and one short duration (ICPL 87091) produced in Kenya to meet seed requirements of varietal<br />
release, FPVS evaluation and on-farm demonstrations.<br />
12.3 t of breeder/foundation seed of ICEAPs 00557, 00554, 01514/15, 01480, 00040, ICP 9145 and<br />
Mthwajuni pigeonpea varieties was produced in Malawi. In Tanzania, 18.5 tons of breeder/foundation<br />
seed of ICEAPs 00557, 00554, 00053, 00040, 00932 in Karatu and Babati districts through private<br />
seed sector (Zenobia seeds), contract growers and Farmer associations.<br />
2800 kg chickpea breeder seed of five kabuli (ICCVs 97306, 95423, 00305, 96329, 92318) and four<br />
desi (ICCVs 97126, 00108, 92944, 97105) varieties was produced at Nairobi. About 9.5 tons of<br />
breeder/foundation seed of farmer-preferred varieties was produced by NARS partners in Tanzania<br />
(8.0 t) and Kenya (1.5 t). In Ethiopia, 9.75 t of breeder seed of 9 varieties (Monino, Marye, Arerti,<br />
Habru, Natoli, Ejere, Shasho, Mastewal and Minjar) and 47.5 t of foundation seeds of 8 varieties<br />
(Arereti, Ntoli, Habru, Shasho, Teji, Ejere, Chefe, Marye) was produced.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Tropical Legumes-II, BMGF; Treasure Legumes project-IFAD<br />
SN Silim, NVPR Ganga Rao, P Kaloki, M Somo,<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.4: At least 2 sorghum and or millet varieties released in one country<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% as two varieties were released in Ethiopia<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Ethiopia<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Amhara Region Agriculture Research Institute (ARARI)<br />
Progress /results:<br />
The regional sorghum and millet variety /hybrid trials are regularly conducted across ESA countries<br />
and these have usually resulted in best bet optional cultivars for release. The variety ICSV111IN has<br />
180
een recommended and released by the Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI) in<br />
Ethiopia and named Hormat. This variety has also been released in Eritrea and has demonstrated very<br />
good levels for striga resistance in both countries. The ARARI station at Sirinka in Ethiopia has also<br />
obtained a pre released status for the sorghum variety Sima which is also released in Zambia and also<br />
has a pre releases status in Zimbabwe. This variety has demonstrate stability in performance across<br />
environments and has multiple uses characteristics like food and brewing. The variety Sima is mainly<br />
targeted for brewing because of it meets brewing specifications such as large white seeds on a tan plant<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
HOPE<br />
M Mgonja, H Ojulong, E Manyasa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.1.7: At least 200 kg of breeder seed of sorghum and or millet availed to two<br />
ESA countries<br />
Achievement of Output Target<br />
100% achieved and the quantities targeted were exceeded<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Eritrea, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NARS Madagascar (FOFIFA), FAO Madagascar, Namburi Agricultural Seed Company and Zanobia<br />
Seeds ( Tanzania )<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> ESA cereal program receives request for seed from both public and private companies. In<br />
<strong>2010</strong> there were specific requests targeting varieties that have been identified that meet specifications<br />
as stipulated by the brewing industries that use sorghum as the main substrate. Two seed companies<br />
(Namburi and Zanobia) in Tanzania received 120kgs of Macia and 40 kgs of KARI Mtama 1 was<br />
availed to Zanobia. Madagascar FAO was provided with 100kgs of ZSV2 a variety that was tested and<br />
recommended for release. This variety is targeting southern Madagascar region of Tulear. There was<br />
also provision of 10-20 kgs of Macia to Eritrea and Zimbabwe targeting the multiplication for the<br />
brewing industry. More than 400kgs was availed to four countries<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
HOPE, FAO<br />
M Mgonja, H Ojulong, E Manyasa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output 4. 2: Improved germplasm and parental lines of adaptable sorghum, pearl millet, pigeon pea,<br />
chickpea and groundnut that are resistant to chronic biotic stresses and meet end user preferences<br />
developed and disseminated with new knowledge to partners<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong>: 4.2.1: Performance and adaptability of bristled pearl millet ICMV221 evaluated<br />
for the first time in ESA to reduce chronic bird damage.<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as the materials are now being evaluated in an additional country<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Eritrea<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) Eritrea and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute<br />
(KARI)<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
In the season <strong>2010</strong> long rains a Bristled pearl millet variety trial was conducted with an objective of<br />
evaluating the effect of pearl millet bristles to bird damage. Two field trials were conducted at Kiboko<br />
in the season <strong>2010</strong> LR with 12 pearl millet varieties (6 bristled from India, 4 from cycles of ICMV<br />
181
221 bristled pearl millet selections from Kiboko and 2 local checks). One of the trials was left for the<br />
birds to feed on it without scaring them away and the other one was controlled. The experimental<br />
design used was a Randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications. The trial was rain<br />
fed with supplemental irrigation until the earliest entry reached the booting stage where the water was<br />
completely withdrawn. Agronomic data was collected from the trials on number of damaged panicles,<br />
days to flowering, lodging score, grain yield, plant height, seedling vigor and the number of panicles at<br />
different bristle lengths. The collected data was subjected to ANOVA using Genstat 12 and the<br />
following traits were found to have highly significant differences between the varieties under study in<br />
the two trials; bristle length, number of long bristled panicles and the number of short bristled panicles.<br />
The mean trial yield for the controlled for from the bird controlled trial, the highest yields were<br />
obtained from ICMV221brC 0 with 2.045t/ha followed by ICMV221 and ICMV221C 1 with 1.887 and<br />
1.873t/ha respectively. From the uncontrolled bird damage trial the highest yields were 0.427t/ha,<br />
0.324t/ha and 0.315t/ha obtained from ICMV221brC 2 , ICMV221brC 3 and ICMVbrC 1 . From the<br />
analysis it is evident that bird control has an effect on grain yield of pearl millet, and where the bristled<br />
pearl millet were subjected to bird damage, the number and length of bristles have a negligible effect<br />
on the grain yield of pearl millet. All the genotypes in the trial had a higher grain yield in the<br />
controlled (mean yield 1.63t/ha) than uncontrolled set (0.210t/ha) and the mean grain loss due to bird<br />
damage was about 87.8%. Overall in the uncontrolled trial, the yield reduction in ICMV221brC 2 was<br />
by 55% and this can be attributed to presence of bristles. Collaborators in Eritrea also evaluated pearl<br />
millet varieties including Hagaz and “Kona” (ICMV 221 = ICMV 88904), local landraces and also the<br />
bristled pearl millet of ICMV221 (ICMV221br). The trial was planted at Gerset station and had very<br />
good growth and expression. A new version of bristled pearl millet was identified in Eritrea and is<br />
called “Zubedi’ and there are efforts to promote this to farmers<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
ASARECA<br />
M Mgonja, H Ojulong, E Manyasa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.3. Best sources of groundnut rosette virus resistance and vector resistance<br />
introgressed in preferred varieties using molecular markers<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as three resistant lines of GRV were identified and confirmed<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research<br />
Institute Tanzania.<br />
Progress/results:<br />
New sources of resistance to groundnut rosette have been identified from the genetic resource unit,<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, India through the reference set which has been screened using the infector row technique for<br />
a period of two years. In addition to the already known GRV resistant ICGV-SM 90704 and vector<br />
resistant ICG 12991, three resistant lines were confirmed in 2009 from the reference set as GRV<br />
resistant using grafting trials. These are ICG 6888, ICG 13099 and ICG 14705. Additional sources<br />
were identified during the <strong>2010</strong> season (ICG 15405 and ICG 9449). A crossing program to incorporate<br />
these sources of resistance into the popular varieties as well as the newly released varieties in Tanzania<br />
which include Mnanje, Masasi, Mangaka, Nachingwea and Naliendele was initiated in <strong>2010</strong> and the<br />
progress is as follows:<br />
1. Completed the development of two rosette populations to F5 for phenotyping and genotyping.<br />
Populations are now planted at the high disease pressure nursery.<br />
2. A new crossing program involving resistance sources identified from the reference set have<br />
been initiated. Particular focus is to combine the two known modes of resistance (Aphid and<br />
GRV).<br />
3. Dr Njoroge was trained in detection of rosette viral components using RT-PCR in Dr. Santie<br />
Devillier’s laboratory. We have ordered for the PCR equipment and are still waiting delivery.<br />
182
Special Project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and McKnight Foundation<br />
ES Monyo, S Njoroge, H Charlie and W Munthali<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.4: Striga resistance transferred to farmer-preferred sorghum varieties using<br />
MAS<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved and introgressed lines are available in Sudan and Kenya<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Sudan, Kenya<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Indian Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur; Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri; Indian<br />
Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi; Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The objective of this project is to use marker assisted breeding to enhance sorghum productivity in<br />
Striga prone areas of eastern and central Africa(ECA) by improving the current knowledge on Striga<br />
resistance Quantatitive Trait Loci (QTL) in sorghum through the fine-mapping of SSR and DART<br />
markers tightly linked to Striga QTL, developing and evaluating farmer prefered Striga resistant<br />
sorghum lines and through capacity building for marker assisted breeding in ECA.<br />
QTL mapping of polymorphic markers and identification of markers tightly linked to Striga resistance<br />
This activity focused on the identification of polymorphic markers flanking five target Striga resistance<br />
QTL regions and mapping these markers on the skeleton linkage map of sorghum by making use of a<br />
Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) population derived from N13 x E 36-1 segregating for Striga<br />
resistance. This fine mapping will enable incorporation of superior levels of Striga resistance in<br />
agronomically elite genetic backgrounds by marker-assisted backcrossing. This was followed by<br />
partially saturating the Striga resistance QTL regions of the linkage map of the (N13 x E 36-1) with<br />
EST-derived SSR and DArT markers. In saturating the linkage map, PCR was optimized for EST-<br />
SSRs and this was followed by screening of genomic SSR markers for the ability to detect mappable<br />
polymorphisms in the (N13 x E 36-1) RIL population. 8 parents were screened with 218 selected<br />
markers using 6% PAGE and/or fragment analysis with an automated DNA sequencer (ABI 3730). 85<br />
polymorphic markers were used for fine mapping. 100 markers out of 218 were polymorphic and were<br />
used for BC3S3 genotyping of Sudanese progenies of N13 previously crossed with Tabat, Wad Ahmed<br />
and AG8.<br />
Farmer preferred Striga resistant sorghum varieties developed and evaluated. In Sudan, 31 BC3S3<br />
advanced backcross progenies developed from N13 x farmer preferred varieties were screened with 100<br />
EST-SSRs. DArT genotyping was performed on the BC3S3 progenies along with the donor and<br />
recurrent parents and results showed that out of 544 DArT clones used, 267 and 139 DArT clones<br />
scored presence and absence for the N13 allele, respectively. For foreground selection, the DArTs data<br />
further revealed 3 backcross progenies with SBI-01 QTL introgression, 9 progenies with SBI-02 and<br />
SBI-05b QTL introgression, 5 progenies with SBI-05a QTL introgression and none with SBI-06 QTL<br />
introgression. These 16 selected BC 3 S 3 progenies of farmer preferred varieties (Tabat, Wad Ahmed and<br />
AG8) were used for further backcrossing to generate a BC 4 population.<br />
Capacity of NARS in marker assisted selection enhanced. Two MSc students received supervision in<br />
the application of molecular techniques and genomics in crop improvement at BecA, specifically in<br />
molecular techniques, genotyping and molecular data analysis. They received scientific assistance in<br />
writing their MSc proposals, which they formally submitted and defended at the University of Nairobi.<br />
The Sudanese professional, Rasha Ali, has received three months training in QTL fine mapping,<br />
saturation of the sorghum linkage map and use of DArT markers at the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Centre of Excellence<br />
in Genomics in India.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
ASARECA - Fighting Striga: Resistance genes deployed to boost sorghum productivity.<br />
D Kiambi, T Hash and S De Villiers<br />
183
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.5 Development of molecular tools for variety identification and enhanced<br />
breeding efficiency for groundnut and pigeonpea in Malawi (SdV, RJ, MS, EM)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as the groundnuts and pigeon pea varieties were genotyped<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Malawi, BecA, Malawi Seed Services Unit<br />
Progress/ results:<br />
The Malawi Seed Industry Development project (funded by Irish Aid) develops a quality groundnut<br />
seed production system and disseminates improved medium-duration pigeonpea varieties on a large<br />
scale into areas where the crop has not previously been cultivated because of the non-availability of<br />
adapted varieties. Mixing of varieties whose seeds are visually similar would seriously compromise this<br />
initiative. Developing molecular fingerprints for variety identification allows efficient variety<br />
identification to prevent seed admixtures and maintain purity.<br />
Publicly available SSRs were used to characterise cultivated groundnut and pigeonpea germplasm from<br />
Malawi. Polymorphic marker data sets of both crops were mined for a small subset of markers that<br />
provide a unique genetic fingerprint for each variety to allow future monitoring of identity<br />
preservation, tracking of dissemination and adoption of new varieties and avoiding redundancy in gene<br />
banks.<br />
Genotyping for fingerprinting has been completed on groundnut and pigeonpea seeds received from<br />
Malawi. For groundnuts, 6 released and 13 local varieties were screened with 21 SSR markers (GCP<br />
http://gcpcr.grinfo.net/). For pigeonpea, 4 released and 70 genebank accessions were screened with 48<br />
SSR markers, 20 from the GCP and 28 others that were reported in recent publications.<br />
For groundnuts, 1 marker was not informative, 11 markers amplified 2-4 different alleles and 9 markers<br />
amplified between 5-8 different alleles across all the varieties. Using two of these markers (TCF12 and<br />
TC7H11) in combination, all six released varieties (JL24, Chalimbana, CG7, Baka, ICGV12991 and<br />
ICGV99568) can be distinguished. If marker 5D5 is added, all 19 varieties tested can be identified.<br />
Therefore, for groundnuts, the three markers TCF12, 5D5 and TC7H11 used in combination, provide<br />
unique fingerprints for all 19 varieties evaluated in this study. This 3-marker SSR genetic<br />
fingerprinting technique can be used for variety identification, seed purity testing and seed certification<br />
applications.<br />
For pigeonpea, there were few differences detected on the DNA level amongst all the varieties<br />
screened. Of the 48 markers used, 15 did not work well and another 11 were monomorphic. Data from<br />
these 23 markers were eliminated from the fingerprinting study. Only 25 markers detected useful<br />
differences. The three most common and widely grown varieties (Mtawajuni, ICEAP00040 known as<br />
Kachangu and ICEAP9145 known as Sauma, as well as the introduced varieties ICPV87105 and<br />
ICEAP00557) can be distinguished with a set of 8 markers. Very little differentiation is possible<br />
amongst the gene bank accessions with the set of markers used in this study. This data is still subject to<br />
further evaluation but these preliminary observations support the findings of other studies that there is<br />
very little genetic diversity in cultivated pigeonpea that can be elucidated with the current validated<br />
SSR markers available for pigeonpea.<br />
In October, 2 staff members from the Malawi Seed Systems Unit laboratories and one PhD student<br />
were trained at the BecA/ILRI hub on DNA extraction and SSR genotyping in order to build the<br />
capacity in Malawi for incorporate DNA fingerprinting into seed purity and certification applications.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Irish Aid - Malawi Seed Industry Development project.<br />
SM de Villiers, RB Jones, M Siambi and E Monyo<br />
184
Output target 2009 4.2.5. Groundnut Breeding activities (and associated phenotyping facilities)<br />
initiated in at least one research station in Malawi and Tanzania<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Phenotyping facilities have been initiated in Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research<br />
Institute Tanzania.<br />
Progress/results:<br />
Breeding activities in NARS have been lagging behind following poor infrastructures in disease<br />
screening, crossing and irrigation facilities. For the smooth operation on breeding work there is need<br />
to ensure facilities are in place and scientists and technicians in partnering countries are well<br />
supported to carry out their breeding work efficiently.<br />
In <strong>2010</strong>, funds for infrastructure development were disbursed to NARS partners for drilling boreholes<br />
to support irrigation work in Tanzania and Malawi and construction of glass houses. In addition,<br />
training on artificial hybridization for technical staff ensured that frontline staff are able to carry out<br />
crosses and initiate their own hybridization program.<br />
To this effect the following progress has been made:<br />
1. Crosses for incorporation of rosette resistance into farmer preferred locally adapted<br />
germplasm in Tanzania and Mozambique were successfully harvested and have been planted<br />
to generate F2s <strong>2010</strong>/11. At least 30 new crosses were successfully developed at Naliendele<br />
Research in Tanzania in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
2. RILS populations for Rust and ELS have been advanced through F4. Two RILS populations<br />
each for rosette, rust and ELS are being phenotyped in Malawi and Tanzania (rust only).<br />
Phenotyping will be repeated for a second season in F6<br />
3. 50 new crosses involving farmer preferred varieties have been generated involving good<br />
adapted elite lines from WCA and ESA and Elite sources of resistance in a good x good<br />
crossing scheme.<br />
4. We drilled a borehole to support hybridization efforts at Chitedze research station whereas in<br />
Tanzania work is ongoing to develop a one hectare irrigation block.<br />
5. A grafting experiment was conducted at Chitedze research station in order to characterize new<br />
sources of resistance for rosette reaction<br />
6. We have set up a controlled temperature room which will be used for the detarched leaf<br />
assay, which will be used to screen varieties for resistance to foliar pathogens.<br />
7. We obtained a spore collector from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru in October and we are sourcing for a<br />
vacuum pump that is attached to the spore collector. Spore collection will be done during this<br />
season (2011). We have also ordered the media and other equipment for culturing isolates<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and McKnight Foundation<br />
E S Monyo, S Njoroge, O Mponda, A Chamango,<br />
Charlie, W Munthali and E Sichone-Chilumpha<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.5: Segregating long duration pigeonpea populations with large grain and<br />
resistance to fusarium wilt developed<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Achieved 100 % targets by making crosses between parents with large grains and resistance to<br />
fusarium wilt.<br />
185
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Farmers and consumers/traders in ESA prefer large grains with cream seed. Fusarium wilt is one of the<br />
major diseases, inflicting pigeonpea productivity in ESA. Further, under maize cropping systems of<br />
Northern Tanzania farmers are looking for relative late maturity, so that they can reap full potential of<br />
existing favourable long growing season. To achieve this, crosses were attempted between parents with<br />
large grains and resistance to fusarium wilt. The virulence pattern existing in ESA is entirely different<br />
from that of Asia. The germplasm/cultivars from ESA offering greater resistance to fusarium wilt.<br />
Accordingly, crosses were made between ICEAPs 00040(fusarium wilt resistant) and 00048(large<br />
round grains and extra long duration) and F 2 populations were evaluated at Kabete (select for large<br />
grain) and Kiboko (wilt sick location) in 2008/09. 53 individual plants were selected from segregating<br />
populations based on grain yield, maturity duration and 100-seed mass/seed shape, and planted them at<br />
Kabete to carry out another round of selection for yield components and lateness (at high altitude) and<br />
8 F 3 populations found promising out 53 F 2 plants were selected for further evaluation. Looking at the<br />
promise of segregating populations, there is a likelihood of selecting high yielding, late and fusarium<br />
wilt resistant lines.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Nil<br />
SN Silim, NVPR Ganga Rao, P Kaloki and M Somo<br />
<strong>2010</strong> 4.2.6: Multi-locational trials of at least three farmer preferred sorghum varieties carrying one to<br />
three Striga resistance QTLs conducted<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Achieved 100 %<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Mabanga ATC Kenya, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya, Ministry of Agriculture Southern Sudan,<br />
Department of Research and Development Tanzania, Kenya Seed Company<br />
Progress/Results: Regional Sub-humid Sorghum Evaluation: Regional Sub-humid sorghum variety<br />
trials were established at Alupe in Busia and Mabanga ATC in Bungoma county western Kenya. The<br />
trial at Mabanga was run in collaboration with Kenya Seed Comapany (KSC) and comprised of 25<br />
lines bred for sub-humid areas, prone to high incidences of leaf diseases, grain molds and stem borers.<br />
As earlier indicated the season at Alupe was below average hence the lines performed below their<br />
potential with grain yield range of the best 10 lines being 1.390 to 1.746 t/ha compared to Mabanga<br />
site which had the best 10 lines yield between 3.511 to 5.200 t/ha. Inspite of the low yields at Alupe, 4<br />
lines (IESV 92041 SH, IS 21055, IESV 92022/1 SH and IS 25395) gave better grain yield than the<br />
local (Nakhadabo) and improved (Seredo) checks. At Mabanga, IESV 94025SH, IS 21018, IS 8887<br />
out-yielded the commercial check, Seredo. The 4 highest grain yielding varieties at both locations also<br />
had grain yields higher than IESV 92033 SH which was entered into NPT in <strong>2010</strong> by Kenya Seed<br />
Company.<br />
The trial was also conducted at Bur Payam Eastern Equatorial of Southern Sudan in the season <strong>2010</strong><br />
where 27 sorghum varietal lines and a local check were augmented in a trial with an objective of<br />
evaluating their adaptation and the yield aspects. The trial was replicated three times in 4 rows of 4 m<br />
length with an inter row spacing of 0.75 m and intra row spacing of 0.2m using RCBD trial design.<br />
The trial was rain fed. Data was collected from the 2 centre rows of each plot as per the trial protocol<br />
on Seedling vigour(1-5) ,stand after thinning, date to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), disease<br />
damage score (1-9), insect damage score (1-9), agronomic score (1-5), plant stand at harvest, grain<br />
weight (gm), 100 seed mass (gm), lodging and the number of tillers.<br />
186
The results of the trial were subjected to statistical analysis using Genstat 12 and the following traits<br />
showed a highly significant difference at 95% confidence interval; plant height, seed mass and the<br />
overall disease score. The average plant height of the varieties under study was 168 cm with a range of<br />
113 cm- 254 cm in IESV 23017 DL and Local check respectively. The average disease score in the<br />
trial was 3.3 with a range of 1-7 with the most resistant and susceptible varieties being ICSR 161 and<br />
IESV 92043 DL respectively. The average seed size was 2.21 gm with a range of 1.433 -3.3 gms in<br />
100 seeds.<br />
Elite sorghum trial: The trial had 25 selections from advanced sorghum germplasm lines selected from<br />
Busia/Siaya/Teso germplasm during the 2009 short rains season and planted at Alupe in <strong>2010</strong> long<br />
rainy season. Siaya 46-2 had the highest grain yield of 4.244 t/ha with good overall leaf disease score<br />
(4.6) whereas the improved Seredo and IS 8193 had yields of 3.984 (disease score 5.0) and 3.627<br />
(disease score 5.4) t/ha respectively.<br />
Hybrid Test cross Evaluation: 416 test cross sorghum hybrids made in 2009/10 short rainy season were<br />
evaluated at Kiboko to determine fertility restoration. Data were also collected on seedling vigour ,<br />
stand after thinning, date to 50% flowering, plant height, percent seed set, disease and insect damage,<br />
number of productive tillers, panicle exertion, panicle length, panicle width, panicle shape, presence of<br />
awns at maturity, agronomic score, grain weight , 100 seed mass, glume color, grain covering, seed<br />
and plant color. Preliminary results showed the hybrids flowering between 59 and 88 days after sowing<br />
with the best hybrids giving grain yields between 5.00 and 8.00 t/ha. 135 hybrids attained over 98%<br />
fertility restoration of which 121 have been put into a preliminary yield trial and planted at Kiboko<br />
(Kenya), and Miwaleni, and Ukiriguru in Tanzania.<br />
Sorghum Preliminary variety Evaluation Trial: 99 sorghum lines were evaluated at Miwaleni; Moshi<br />
district of Tanzania during the <strong>2010</strong> season. Quantitative data from Miwaleni were subjected to<br />
ANOVA and three traits (Number of tillers, plant height, and plant stand) showed significant<br />
difference at p=0.05. High variability was observed in number of tillers (0- 4 tillers), plant height<br />
(mean 91.6- 205 cm). The earliest variety to flower was ZSV 3 at 31 days after sowing and the latest,<br />
the local check at 78 days after sowing. Mean days to 50% flowering was 66 days after planting. The<br />
mean grain yield was 2.366 tons/ha with a yield range of 0.333- 5.667 tons/ha for IESV 91038 DL and<br />
IESV 92028 DL respectively. Nine varieties IESV 92028 DL, IESV 92008 DL, IESV 23007 DL, IESV<br />
92001 DL, IESV 92021 DL, IESV 92207 DL, Kaguru x Macia-3-1-1-3-1, IESV 23006 DL and KAT<br />
487 attained grain yields above 4.00 t/ha well above the local check yield of 1.333 t/ha. Forty seven<br />
lines with grain yields above trial mean (2.37 t/ha) shall be put into an advanced trial next season. The<br />
trial was also sent to Ethiopia and Eritrea and results are still awaited.<br />
Regional Drought tolerant sorghum trial: The regional drought tolerant trial kit was established in<br />
Kenya (Kiboko) and in Tanzania (Hombolo) in 2009 and results were reported in 2009 archival. The<br />
same trial was planted at Miwaleni Tanzania in <strong>2010</strong>. All the test varieties outperformed the local<br />
check. Fifteen best yielding varieties had grain mean yields ranging from 2.556 ( SP 993515) to 4.056<br />
(IESV 23005 DL) t/ha against the check yield of 0.889 t/ha. Compared to data from Hombolo and<br />
Kiboko (2009) varieties IESV 23004 DL, IESV 23011 DL and IESV 23007 DL performed well across<br />
the 3 locations.<br />
Low Temperature Tolerant Sorghum Evaluation: The evaluation targets the high altitude areas of<br />
eastern Africa where low temperatures negatively affect seed set. The materials were selected from a<br />
collection of eastern Africa high altitude sorghum germplasm and cold tolerant lines bred by<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi. The trial had 25 lines and they were evaluated at Elgon Downs farm in Kitale<br />
(towards north western Kenya) in collaboration with KSC. Already KSC has entered one cold tolerant<br />
variety (BM 27) into the NPT in <strong>2010</strong>. Four lines Abaleshya (3.511 t/ha), IESV 91069 LT (2.978 t/ha),<br />
MB 29 (2.800 t/ha) and MB 30 (2.800 t/ha) had grain yields higher than BM 27 (2.756 t/ha) and the<br />
check variety E 1291 (2.356 t/ha)<br />
Preliminary Finger millet Trial: The trial comprising of 144 entries selected from global core collection<br />
that had been screened in 2005/6 and established at Alupe to evaluate for grain yield and blast reaction.<br />
Overall Blast rating was done on a 1-9 scale. Blast incidence was lower than usual (range 1.5 for KNE<br />
689 to 8.0 in IE # 6533 and KNE # 6546) owing to low humidity occasioned by poor rainfall, with<br />
grain yields ranging from 0.375 t/ha (IE 2006) to 3.020 t/ha (IE 2047). The highest yielding lines with<br />
187
good blast tolerance were IE 2047, IE 4121, KNE 758, IE 5066, IE 3165, IE 6294, IE 4115, IE 2590,<br />
IE 2619, IE 4047, IE 4192, KNE 688, IE 4122,IE 4118, IE 2633, Gulu E, IE 3827, IE 4997, IE 2457<br />
and IE 3779. Selections were done based on grain yield and blast scores (< 4.0). A total of 64<br />
selections were made and these have been put into a regional trial and planted at Alupe in the <strong>2010</strong>SR<br />
season, Serere- Uganda (<strong>2010</strong>SR) and Uyole - Tanzania (Jan 2011).<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
HOPE project<br />
M Mgonja, H Ojulong, E Manyasa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.7: Segregating medium duration pigeonpea populations with large round<br />
grains and traits associated with insect pest tolerance developed (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
Crosses were made between parents with high yielding, large grains and pest tolerant genotypes and<br />
achieved 100 % targets.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Nairobi<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Large round grains are preferred in ESA both in terms of superior milling quality and consumer<br />
acceptance. Pest tolerance in field as well as storage conditions provides greater relief to farmers, seed<br />
producers and traders with ease in handling. To attain this goal crosses were made between parents<br />
with high yielding, large grains and pest tolerant genotypes.<br />
Crosses were made between ICEAP 00040 (long duration, wilt tolerant, good grain type) and<br />
Mthwajuni; Acc 88 and ICEAP 00576-1(long duration, wilt tolerant, good grain type) to incorporate<br />
pest tolerance from Mthwajuni (Malawian germplasm) and Acc 88(Tanzanian germplasm) to<br />
incorporate pest tolerance.<br />
After two rounds of evaluation, 21 progenies showed promise from segregating populations of cross<br />
between ICEAP 00040 x Mthwajuni and planted them at Kabete for further evaluation and selection.<br />
The segregating population showed genetic diversity for grain yield, pod hairyness (linked with pest<br />
tolerance), 100 seed mass, seed colour and seed shape. Some progenies were relatively uniform with<br />
some promise when compared to both the parents, these will be further tested for confirmation.<br />
Progenies of medium duration and wilt tolerant genotypes (ICEAPs 00554, 00557) and pest tolerant<br />
Mthwajuni (Malawian germplasm) are being evaluated at Kiboko.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Nil<br />
SN Silim, NVPR Ganga Rao, M Somo and P Kaloki<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.7. At least 5 kg nuclear seed of each of 15 varieties in Regional Trials<br />
produced annually from 2008 to 2011 as source for breeder seed and entries for collaborative trials<br />
with NARS in ESA<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as nuclear seed was produced in all the targeted countries<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research<br />
Institute Tanzania. Institute of Agricultural Research Nampula, Mozambique<br />
188
Nuclear seed remains the only source of breeder seed production as well as source of entries for<br />
collaborative trials with NARS in ESA. Therefore to increase seed availability, seed multiplication<br />
activities of promising entries in the regional trials were carried out on-station.<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
1. In Malawi, a total of 191 elite lines were produced with yield ranging from 5 kgs to 80 kgs.<br />
2. in Tanzania the following nuclear seed was produced ICGV-SM 99555 (10 kg), ICGV-SM<br />
99557 (10kg), ICGV SM 03521 (5kg) and ICGV SM 00537 (5 kg)<br />
3. In Mozambique the following nuclear seed was produced Nametil (20 kg), Mamane (30 kg),<br />
JL 24 (25 kg), ICGV-SM 99541 (54 kg), ICGV-SM 99568 (40 kg), and CG 9 (50 kg)<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and McKnight Foundation<br />
E S Monyo, O Mponda, A Chamango and M Amane<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.8: At least 5 kg nuclear seed of each of 15 varieties in Regional Trials<br />
produced annually from 2008 to 2011 as source for breeder seed and entries for collaborative trials<br />
with NARS in ESA.<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved as all the targeted seed quantities were produced.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
KARI, NaSSARI Uganda, Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR), Ministry of<br />
Agriculture south Sudan,<br />
Progress /Results:<br />
In the year <strong>2010</strong> we had 9 sets of 28 entries for the regional sorghum variety trials for the dry lowlands<br />
and 6 sets of 25 entries for the sub-humid sent to Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya ; 8 sets for the sorghum<br />
hybrid trials with 16 entries sent to Kenya, Ethiopia and Southern Sudan; 3 sets of 25 entries for the<br />
sweet stalk sorghum to Kenya and Uganda. For the open pollinated varieties there were 66 entries and<br />
seed production of these together with additional materials were multiplied in Kiboko Kenya and a<br />
minimum of 5kgs of each is maintained for experimentation as well as provisos to partners as may be<br />
requested.<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.8. At least 1 ton breeder seed of 3 released farmer/market preferred<br />
groundnut varieties in ESA produced annually from 2008 to 2011 as source for foundation seed for<br />
collaborating NARS and other partners<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved and seed of various classes are available for all crops<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research<br />
Institute Tanzania. Institute of Agricultural Research Nampula, Mozambique<br />
Lack of seed of improved varieties remains one of the key constraints to groundnut production. To<br />
ensure enough availability of foundation seed there is need to strengthen breeder seed production of<br />
the farmer preferred varieties. This will also ensure constant supply of breeder seed to the<br />
collaborating partners. In view of this breeder seed production activities were carried out on-station.<br />
189
Achievements.<br />
1. The following breeder seed quantities were produced:<br />
a. In Malawi: ICGV-SM 90704 (1 560 kg), CG 7 (1340kg), ICGV-SM 99568<br />
(12049kg), ICG 12991 (320kg), JL 24 (800kg), ICGV 93437 (520kg for<br />
Zimbabwe).<br />
b. In Tanzania: ICGMS 33 (4000kg), ICGV-SM 01721 (250kg), ICGV-SM 83708<br />
(400kg) and ICGV-SM 99557 (100kg)<br />
c. In Mozambique: ICG 12991 (850kg), ICGV-SM 90704 (430kg). ICGV-SM 99541<br />
(450kg), ICGV 99568 (320kg), JL 24 (300kg), CG 7 (110kg)<br />
2. The following quantities of foundation seed was produced by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and partners in ESA<br />
a. In Malawi: ICGV-SM 90704 (39,432 kg), ICGV-SM 99568 (13,335kg)<br />
b. In Tanzania: ICGMS 33 (54,000kg)<br />
c. In Mozambique: ICG 12991 (950kg), ICGV-SM 90704 (900kg). JL 24 (3300kg)<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and McKnight Foundation<br />
E S Monyo, O Mponda, A Chamango and M Amane<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.2.9: At least 1 t breeder seed of 3 released farmer/market preferred varieties in<br />
ESA produced annually from 2008 to 2011 as source for foundation seed for collaborating NARS and<br />
other partners<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% achieved<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Tanzania, Zimbabwe<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Department of Research and Development, FAO, Department of Research and Specialist Services<br />
(DR&SS)<br />
Progress/ Results:<br />
The three most popular sorghum varieties in the ESA region are Macia, Gadam , KARI Mtama 1 and<br />
these are increasingly demanded because they meet the food, feed and brewing specifications and the<br />
two Macia and Gadam are early and therefore adapt well to the frequents droughts experienced in the<br />
region. The seed production for the three varieties were over and above the Output target target (Macia<br />
1.2t produced at Miwaleni station in Tanzania; 800kgs of Gadam el Hamam in Miwaleni and Kiboko<br />
stations and 300kgs of KARI Mtama 1 at Kiboko. The total amount is at 2.3 t. There were 18 t of<br />
foundation seed of sorghum variety Macia produced in Tanzania at the Miwaleni station<br />
ESA-Bulawayo: Foundation Seed Production in Zimbabwe: Good seed is one of the most important<br />
primary inputs needed for good crop production. In Zimbabwe, smallholder farming has become the<br />
major player in the country’s crop production. However, limited access by smallholder farmers to good<br />
seed, and seed availability problems continue to suppress crop production progress under smallholder<br />
farming. The International Crops Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>) in<br />
Zimbabwe, with financial support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), initiated<br />
foundation seed production of four crops, Cowpeas, Groundnuts, Sorghum and Pearl Millet. We<br />
believe that this initiative will also help advance the genetic purity of seeds substantially, as well as<br />
arresting the loss of vigor over time. This project started in 2009. The Crops Breeding Institute (CBI),<br />
part of the Government’s Research and Specialist Services with mandate to produce foundation seed of<br />
varieties released in Zimbabwe is a partner in this project and provided 5kg of seed of each of the three<br />
varieties of cowpea (CBC1, CBC2 and CBC3). From the 5kg of each of these cowpea varieties, we<br />
managed to produce close to 2 tons of cowpea foundation seed. In the second season of seed production<br />
(2009/<strong>2010</strong>), <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Bulawayo has produced 10100 kg of sorghum seed, 9418kg of pearl millet<br />
seed, and 4000kg of cowpea seed. In <strong>2010</strong>/1011 season, hectares planted for groundnuts, cowpeas,<br />
pearl millet are shown. In addition, during the season <strong>2010</strong>/2011, released sorghum and pearl millet<br />
190
varieties have been grown to regenerate seed and increase seed for those varieties that are low in seed<br />
stock<br />
M Mgonja, H Ojulong, E Manyasa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output 4.3: New knowledge of the QTLs for the stay green and drought tolerance traits confirmed,<br />
and marker assisted selection efficiency improved, and specific abiotic stress tolerant varieties and<br />
associated knowledge for sorghum, pearl millet and groundnuts developed and disseminated in<br />
ESA with associated capacity development<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.3.3. At least 1 backcross population for each farmer preferred variety<br />
incorporating one or more sources of disease (GRD, ELS, rust) resistance or drought tolerance for use<br />
in marker assisted backcross improvement<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
50%<br />
Markers to use in MABC have not been identified , however BC2 generations incorporating<br />
GRV,ELS and Rust resistance were implemented<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, Mozambique and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi.<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
1. The work through TL1 to identify markers for use in MABC has not given us this tool to use<br />
in ESA. However we proceeded to the production of second backcross generation<br />
incorporating GRV, ELS and Rust resistance into farmer preferred adapted varieties in ESA –<br />
using conventional breeding. This included ICGMS 33 (Pendo) for Tanzania, JL 24<br />
(Kakoma), Chalimbana and ICGV-SM 83708 (CG 7) for Malawi. We also completed the<br />
production of F4 generation of 9 populations; 3 for GRV, 2 for ELS, and 4 for Rust which will<br />
be phenotyped and genotyped through TL1 with the objective of identification of appropriate<br />
markers for use in MABC.<br />
2. We also produced F2 populations of four West African farmer-preferred varieties, 55-437,<br />
Fleur 11, 47-10 and ICGV 86124 with the ESA GRV and ELS sources of resistance. These<br />
are intended for use in MABC when reliable markers for these traits become available through<br />
TL1<br />
3. A back cross for ELS diallel crosses focusing on the mode of gene action for ELS resistance<br />
has been developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi glass houses. The aim for this activity is to<br />
understand how resistance to ELS is inherited so as to create a more focused ELS breeding<br />
program. F1 s from a p (p-1) diallel mating (ELS) design developed from a 2009/10 season are<br />
also being advanced into F2s.<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and McKnight Foundation<br />
E S Monyo, S Njoroge, Charlie,<br />
W Munthali and E Sichone-Chilumpha<br />
Output 4.4 Progress in knowledge and/or improved germplasm of nutritionally enhanced transgenic<br />
sorghum and biofortified germplasm with enhanced micronutrient levels available for evaluation<br />
Output target: 4.4.1: Documentation for risk/safety assessment for GM regulatory needs drafted:<br />
Achievement of Output target:<br />
100%<br />
The project was though terminated due to lack of funding.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria<br />
191
Partner Institutions:<br />
KARI-Kenya, INERA-Burkina Faso, ARI-South Africa.<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
A second set of hybrid fitness F3 population was planted in Kiboko, Kenya during the first rains of<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Seed from heads from different heads were planted on rows of 4m long with spacing of 0.75 x<br />
0.3 between and within rows. The first 60 plants (excluding the first plant) were target per row to<br />
provide the data points. Agronomic data (days after planting (DAF), days after heading (DAH), plant<br />
height, stem girth, number of leaves, leaf length and width, penducle length, panicle exertion, length<br />
and width) and harvest data (number of seeds, weight of 100 grains, panicle weight and yield per plant<br />
were taken and averaged to give the data per head; which was used for analysis. Genotypes were<br />
grouped according to mating types:- Wild x Cultivated (W x C), Cultivated x Wild (C x W), wild selfed<br />
(W x W) and cultivated Selfed (C x C). Mating types were subjected to one way ANOVA and<br />
correlation. Only agronomic data is being presented<br />
Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences for all the traits among the breeding types.<br />
Differences were noted between the cultivated parents (Cult x Cult) and the hybrids (Cult x Wild and<br />
Wild x Cult) and wild parents (Wild xWild). No significant differences were however noted between<br />
the wild parents; and the Wild x Cult hybrids, implying that at F 2 hybrids were not superior to the wild<br />
parents. These results are in agreement with earlier results from the same F3 populations grown in<br />
2008/2009 and follows similar patterns as in the F1s and F2s earlier evaluated.<br />
Special Project Funding: Africa Biofortified Sorghum (ABS) project<br />
Henry Ojulong, M Mgonja, E Manysa, P Sheunda and J Kibuka<br />
Output 5: Technological options and knowledge to reduce aflatoxin contamination at<br />
different stages of the groundnut crop cycle developed and disseminated to partner NARES,<br />
traders and processors in ESA with associated capacity building for enhanced food and<br />
feed quality<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 4.5.1. Role of variety/genotype contribution to aflatoxin control documented in<br />
groundnut in ESA<br />
Achievement of Output target:<br />
100% achieved as the two trials were conducted and conditions favoring aflatoxin were identified<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi.<br />
There is growing concern over the danger posed by exposure to aflatoxin on human and livestock<br />
health. For the past decade, incidences of aflatoxin contamination in produce above safety limits has<br />
become a barrier to international trade to European markets.. However, studies have shown that good<br />
cultural practices like early planting and water management through use of tied ridges have a<br />
significant effect in controlling aflatoxin contamination. In addition, use of resistant varieties remains<br />
a viable option to many farmers.<br />
Two trials were conducted with the objective of identification of new sources of resistance to<br />
aflatoxin production in groundnuts. One was a pot trial with treatments that simulated drought stress<br />
through termination of watering towards the end of the season, compared to the control which was<br />
well watered. The second experiment was a field trial but planted late (1 month late) ensuring the<br />
plants would be exposed to water stress at the end of the season, compared to control plants planted at<br />
the onset of rains and maturing before end-of-season water stress<br />
Progress:<br />
1. In the potted trial, aflatoxin levels varied from 0 – 36 ppb in the well watered treatment.<br />
Resistant cultivar J11 had an average aflatoxin contamination of 2ppb. However, under<br />
water stress, aflatoxin contamination in susceptible varieties were as high as 825 ppb<br />
192
compared to 97 ppb in J11. Other resistant varieties in the study included: Monir 240-30, U<br />
4-47-7, U 4-7-5 and VRR 245 all of which scored 0 ppb. In the field trials, aflatoxin<br />
contamination in J11 averaged 4 ppb and ranged from 0 ppb – 996 ppb among 36 entries<br />
evaluated. Resistant sources identified included: ICGV 91329 (0.7 ppb), ICGV 91298 (2.8<br />
ppb), ICGV 91322 (4.4 ppb), ICGV 93293 (7.5 ppb).<br />
2. A hybridization program was initiated between farmer adapted popular varieties with known<br />
sources of resistance to aflatoxin as a basis of working towards improving these varieties for<br />
aflatoxin resistance.<br />
3. We wrote a proposal to START, seeking funding for setting up a aflatoxin screening facility.<br />
Decision on funding is going to be made sometime in February 2011 and we should have it<br />
operational in a few months if we get the funds<br />
4. We requested for additional funding from McKnight foundation to support Ethel Chilumpha<br />
(<strong>ICRISAT</strong> technician) for training in the detection of toxigenic Aspergillus spp at IITA.<br />
Funding was approved and the technician will travel to IITA in March 2011.<br />
Special Project funding: McKnight Foundation<br />
E S Monyo, S Njoroge, E Sichone-Chilumpha and W Munthali<br />
Output target 2011 4.5.1. Farmer-friendly literature in vernacular languages (Swahili and Chichewa)<br />
on improved groundnut varieties and integrated crop management technologies available to farmers in<br />
Malawi and Tanzania<br />
Achievement of Output target:<br />
100% as 2700 flyers on improved varieties and 3000 flyers on recommended<br />
Practices were delivered during field days and. 5000 flyers, leaflets, and brochures were distributed<br />
during the <strong>2010</strong> International Trade Fare in Blantyre, Malawi.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, National Smallholders Farmers<br />
Association (NASFAM) Malawi, CARE Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute Tanzania,<br />
Makutopora Research Station Tanzania, Masasi District Council Tanzania, Dodoma District Council<br />
Tanzania, Chamwino District Council Tanzania, Department of Crop Development (DCD),<br />
Agricultural Seed Agency (ASA).<br />
Information plays a crucial role in technology dissemination. Efforts were made to develop and print<br />
farmer friendly literature in the vernacular languages of Chichewa and Swahili for Malawi and<br />
Tanzania, respectively. In Malawi a total of 2700 flyers on improved varieties and 3000 flyers on<br />
recommended cultural practices were distributed during field days held in conjunction with NARS.<br />
5000 flyers, leaflets, and brochures were distributed during the <strong>2010</strong> International Trade Fare in<br />
Blantyre, Malawi.<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, McKnight Foundation, EU Food Security Program for Malawi<br />
E S Monyo, O Mponda, A Chamango, E Sichone-Chilumpha,<br />
H Charlie, W Munthali and P Kamwendo<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong>: 4.5.2. Pre-harvest and post harvest aflatoxin control measures implemented in at<br />
least 2 countries in an annual basis by <strong>2010</strong><br />
Achievement of Output target:<br />
100% achieved as three strategies were tested for the management of aflatoxin contamination of<br />
groundnut and these were coupled with training of frontline staff from two major groundnuts districts.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi, and Tanzania<br />
193
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, National Smallholders Farmers<br />
Association (NASFAM) Malawi, CARE Malawi,<br />
Progress/results:<br />
Aflatoxin contamination remains a challenge in groundnut production. Groundnut is prone to infection<br />
by Aspegillus flavus and therefore to aflatoxin contamination, before and after harvest. Unfortunately,<br />
few farmers know little about the control measures. Aflatoxin contamination in farmers’ fields is<br />
enhanced with increased moisture stress. Under water stress, groundnuts develop cracks, which<br />
predispose the pods to infection by Aspergillus spp. and therefore to aflatoxin contamination..<br />
Three strategies were tested for the management of aflatoxin contamination of groundnut through use<br />
of three management options; varieties (resistant, J11 versus susceptible, ICGV-SM 99568), time of<br />
planting (early versus late) and water management (box versus open ridges). The trial was a 2 x 2 x 2<br />
factorial arrangement laid out in a randomized complete block design. Each plot had 4 ridges<br />
measuring 10 m long and plants spaced at 0.75 m between rows and 0.10 m between planting stations<br />
giving a total area of 240 m 2 . Treatments with box ridges, ridges were boxed every 2m.<br />
The other strategy tested was training frontline staff from two major groundnuts producing districts –<br />
Lilongwe and Kasungu at a workshop. The third strategy was to conduct a study on the occurrence and<br />
distribution of aflatoxin contamination in Malawi and developed a GIS based risk map for pre-harvest<br />
and post harvest aflatoxin contamination for Malawi.<br />
Major findings<br />
• Results showed that J11 (resistant variety) had lower levels of aflatoxin contamination than<br />
ICGV-SM 99568 (susceptible variety), 137 and 295 ppb, respectively, and early planting had<br />
lower levels than late planting, 181 and 251 ppb, respectively. Similarly, treatments with box<br />
ridges had lower levels of aflatoxin contamination that those with open ridges, 167 and 244<br />
ppb, respectively.<br />
• Use of box ridges coupled with early planting produced higher yield than in treatments with<br />
open ridges coupled with late planting, 834kg/ha and 731kg/ha respectively for ICGV-SM<br />
99568 and 603kg/ha and 380kg/ha respectively for J 11<br />
• A 4 day training of frontline staff workshop was organized for two major groundnuts<br />
producing districts – Lilongwe and Kasungu from 30 th June – 10 th July with a session for each<br />
district. A total of 27 NARES from different Agricultural Extension Planning Areas, District<br />
Health Offices and NASFAM Field Officers attended. The training involved presentations on<br />
health risks of aflatoxin to human, the groundnuts production chain, critical points for<br />
intervention to manage and control aflatoxin contamination and aflatoxin as a trade barrier.<br />
The presentations were followed by group discussions on the topics and individual<br />
assignments to gauge the understanding of the trainees. The participants finally developed an<br />
action plan tackling three main issues: Lack of awareness, training materials and knowledge of<br />
management tactics. It was obvious that more training sessions are required if the problem of<br />
aflatoxin is to be known, understood and action taken<br />
• We worked with partners and stakeholders to jointly investigate factors influencing aflatoxin<br />
contamination in groundnuts. Important risk factors included three or more weeks drought<br />
during pod formation ,high moisture or relative humidity above 83% at 30 o C, and length of<br />
incubation period. Others are rainfall at the end of the growing season that postpones harvest<br />
and prevents dry-down, grains with moisture levels above 9% at temperatures 28 to 33 o C. Preand<br />
postharvest grain damage by insects, rodents, birds, also predispose grains to colonization<br />
by the fungus and aflatoxin contamination.<br />
• We implemented a study on the occurrence and distribution of aflatoxin contamination in<br />
Malawi and developed a GIS based risk map for pre-harvest and post harvest aflatoxin<br />
contamination.. A. flavus is widely distributed across all groundnut production areas of<br />
Malawi. The distribution varies from 0 to 273,000 cfu / gram of soil in Chikwawa.<br />
Chikwawa district had the highest aflatoxin contamination – of 16,108 cfu/ gram of soil,<br />
followed by Lilongwe at 9,833 cfu/ g soil and Salima at 6767 cfu / gram of soil. The least<br />
contaminated district was Mzimba at 828 cfu / gram soil. Aflatoxin contamination in<br />
groundnuts also was higher in Chikwawa. Among major groundnut growing districts, the<br />
highest distribution of contamination, from high to low, was found in Chikwawa, Salima,<br />
194
Kasungu, Ntcheu, Mulanje, Nchisi, Nkhotakhota, Mchinji, Dowa, and Lilongwe. Though there<br />
was a good relationship between A.flavus contamination levels in the soil with aflatoxin<br />
contamination in the crop, the relationship was not a perfect fit because of a higher potential<br />
for post harvest contamination in zones that were more prone to end of season rains.<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
McKnight Foundation and EU Food Security Program for Malawi<br />
E S Monyo, S. Njoroge, E Sichone-Chilumpha, H Msere,<br />
A Chamango, H Charlie, W Munthali and P Kamwendo<br />
2009: 4.5.3. Farmer Field School concept used with participatory farmer variety selection in adaptive<br />
trials to provide input into groundnut breeding and promote aflatoxin control practices in 2 ESA<br />
countries from 2009<br />
Achievement of Output target:<br />
100% achieved as the number of FFS tripled to 360 attracting a total of 10,264 households<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Malawi and Tanzania<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Malawi, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station Malawi, National Smallholders Farmers<br />
Association (NASFAM) Malawi, CARE Malawi, Naliendele Agricultural Research Institute Tanzania,<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The farmer field school approach is an effective way of transferring technology to farmers in a<br />
participatory manner. It assumes that farmers already have a wealth of knowledge and experience.<br />
Field schools try to focus on basic processes through field observations, season-long research studies,<br />
and hands-on activities. It has been found that when farmers have learned about the basics, combined<br />
with their own experiences and needs, they make decisions that are effective. When farmers have this<br />
basic knowledge they are better clients for extension and research systems because they have more<br />
specific questions and demands. It is against this background that the concept was used in Kasungu<br />
district, Malawi in an effort to reach many farmers with improved technologies.<br />
It was planned that by <strong>2010</strong> a total of 120 field schools each with up to 30 members will be operational.<br />
But due to the overwhelming response in the community the number of FFS tripled to 360 attracting a<br />
total of 10,264 households. Through the FFS farmers were equipped with knowledge on the new<br />
improved varieties as well as recommended control measures in reducing aflatoxin contamination. The<br />
concept was implemented through a partnership project which was implemented with CARE Malawi.<br />
Farmers will use FFS experience to help other farmers to learn about improved groundnut varieties as<br />
well as aflatoxin control measures such as water management and modern ways of drying (ventilated<br />
stacking). Through FFS we achieved the promotion of long-term sustainable seed availability by<br />
establishing local community seed banks among 1872 households in Malawi and linking them to<br />
commercial seed and grain marketers.<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
McKnight Foundation and EU Food Security Program for Malawi<br />
E S Monyo, S. Njoroge, P Kamwendo A Chamango,<br />
H Charlie, W Munthali and E Sichone-Chilumpha<br />
195
MTP Project 5:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Producing more and better food at lower cost of staple cereal and legume<br />
hybrids in the Asian SAT (sorghum, pearl millet and pigeonpea) through<br />
genetic improvement<br />
KN Rai<br />
I. Sorghum<br />
Output 5A: Hybrid parents and breeding lines of sorghum, pearl millet and pigeonpea with high yield<br />
potential and pro-poor traits in diverse and elite backgrounds, for specific target markets, production<br />
environments and research application made available biennially (from 2008) to defined partners with<br />
associated knowledge and capacity building in the Asian SAT<br />
Activity 5A.1.1: Develop and characterize a diverse range of improved parental lines<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.1: Ten male-sterile lines and five restorer lines with high yield and large grain developed<br />
(BVSR, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Hybrids are popular with the farmers due to heterosis for grain yield and adaptation. Bold grain hybrids (>2.5 g<br />
of 100-grain mass) are desirable. Hybrid parents improved for grain yield with appropriate grain size are<br />
required to develop improved hybrids.<br />
The result of evaluation of B-lines that were completely converted into A-lines and R-lines in the postrainy<br />
season, 2009 and rainy season, <strong>2010</strong> are presented here. The plot size was 2 rows of 2 m length with 75 cm<br />
between the rows and 10 cm between the plants in a row. Selections were made based on yield superiority over<br />
the best check and bold grain size (100 grain weight >2.5 g).<br />
A. Dual- purpose A/B-lines development for rainy season adaptation:<br />
Postrainy season evaluation:<br />
Advanced A 1 -based B-lines trial (ABTA 1 ): Thirteen maintainers of A 1 cytoplasm selected from the<br />
preliminary and advanced A 1 CMS-based B-line trials during the 2008 postrainy season were evaluated along<br />
with two checks (296B and ICSB 52) in ABTA 1 during the 2009 rainy and postrainy seasons. The grain yield<br />
among the B-lines ranged from 3.5 to 6.3 t ha -1 [trial mean: 4.6 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.8]. The B-line, SP07 54425-1<br />
with a grain yield of 6.3 t ha -1 was significantly superior to both the checks, 296B and ICSB 52, by 85% and<br />
26%, respectively.<br />
Advanced A 2 -based B-lines trial (ABTA 2 ): Fifteen maintainers of A 2 cytoplasm selected from the preliminary<br />
and advanced A 2 CMS-based B-line trials during the 2008 postrainy season were evaluated along with two<br />
checks (296B and ICSB 52) in ABTA 2 during the 2009 rainy and postrainy seasons. Two B-lines, SP07 54819-1<br />
(7.4 t ha -1 ) and SP07 54809-1 (6.6 t ha -1 ), were significantly superior to both the checks, 296B (3.6 t ha -1 ) and<br />
ICSB 52 (5.3 t ha -1 ) for grain yield with yield superiority of 25 to 40% over the best check, ICSB 52 [trial mean:<br />
5.3 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.0].<br />
Preliminary B-lines (A 1 cytoplasm based) trial (PBTA 1 ): Maintainers (B-lines) of 55 newly developed malesterile<br />
lines with A 1 CMS system were evaluated along with two checks (296B and ICSB 52) in PBTA 1 during<br />
the 2009 postrainy season. Forty-five B-lines with a grain yield ranging from 2.9 to 6.7 t<br />
ha -1 were numerically superior to the check 296B (2.8 t ha -1 ) of which twelve B-lines were superior to ICSB 52<br />
(5.7 t ha -1 ) by 4 to 18% [trial mean: 4.3 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.6].<br />
Preliminary B-lines (A 2 cytoplasm based) trial (PBTA 2 ) : Maintainers (B-lines) of 34 newly developed malesterile<br />
lines with A 2 CMS system were evaluated along with two checks (296B and ICSB 52) in PBTA 2 during<br />
the 2009 postrainy season. SP 27951 (6.6 t ha -1 ) was significantly superior to the best performing check ICSB<br />
52 (4.9 t ha -1 ) by 35% and six B-lines with a grain yield ranging from 5.5 to 6.6 t ha -1 were significantly<br />
superior to the popular B-line check, 296B (3.8 t ha -1 ) by 45 to 74% [trial mean: 4.4 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.5].<br />
Rainy season evaluation:<br />
Advanced A 1 B-lines trial (ABTA 1 ): Maintainers of 31 male-sterile lines with A 1 cytoplasm selected from the<br />
PBTA 1 and ABTA 1 during the 2009 postrainy season were evaluated in ABTA 1 along with the check 296B<br />
during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. Fourteen B-lines with a grain yield of 1.9 to 2.6 t ha -1 were significantly superior<br />
196
to the check, 296B (1.3 t ha -1 ) for grain yield [trial mean: 1.74 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.51]. All these B-lines were<br />
tolerant to grain mold with threshed grain mold rating (TGMR) ranging from 2.0 to 3.7 compared to the<br />
susceptible check, 296B (TGMR: 4.3 on 1 to 9 scale where 1 = no molds and 9 = >90% grain surface area<br />
covered with molds).<br />
Advanced A 2 B-lines trial (ABTA 2 ): Nineteen maintainers on A 2 cytoplasm selected from the PBTA 2 and ABT<br />
during the 2009 postrainy season were evaluated in ABTA 2 along with the check 296B during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy<br />
season. Three B-lines with a grain yield of 2.1 to 2.8 t ha -1 were significantly superior to 296B (1.5 t ha -1 ) for<br />
grain yield [trial mean: 1.5 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.4]. The TGMR score ranged from 2.0 to 2.7 among these lines<br />
(296B: 3.3).<br />
Preliminary A 1 B-lines trial (PBTA 1 ): Maintainers (B-lines) of 83 newly developed male-sterile lines with A 1<br />
CMS system were evaluated along with two checks (296B and ICSB 444) in an augmented design during the<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season. Twenty B-lines with grain yield ranging from 1.8 t ha -1 to 2.8 t ha -1 were significantly<br />
superior to both the checks, 296B (1.1 t ha -1 ) and ICSB 444 (1.5 t ha -1 ) for grain yield [trial mean: 1.4 t ha -1 , lsd<br />
(5%): 0.3]. The 20 B-lines flowered in 65 to 76 days, had a plant height of 1.4 to 2.1m, grain weight of 1.8 to<br />
2.5 g 100 -1 grains and a TGMR score of 1 to 4. The B-lines SP 20415 and SP 20637 with a TGMR score 1 were<br />
more tolerant to grain mold.<br />
B. Dual-purpose R-line development for rainy season adaptation<br />
From the hybrid parent development program for rainy season adaptation, promising F 5 progenies with restorer<br />
reaction on A 1 and/or A 2 CMS systems were evaluated in replicated yield trials, Preliminary R-lines trial (PRT),<br />
Advanced R-lines trial (ART) and Elite R-lines trial (ERT) during the both rainy and postrainy seasons. The<br />
details are:<br />
Postrainy season evaluation:<br />
White colored advanced R-lines trial (WCART): Eleven R-lines with white colored grains selected from the<br />
preliminary R-line trial, advanced R-lines trial and dual (both A 1 and A 2 ) R-line trial evaluated during the 2008<br />
postrainy season were reevaluated in WCART during the 2009 postrainy season along with the checks RS 29,<br />
ICSR 89058, M 35-1 and ICSB 52. Three R-lines FDRT 5, ERT 3 and PRT 45, with grain yield ranging from<br />
5.6 to 6.6 t ha -1 were significantly superior to the best check, RS 29 (2.6 t ha -1 ) by 115 to 153% [trial mean: 2.9 t<br />
ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.8]. These R-lines had grain weight of 2.2 to 3.4 g 100 -1 grains and flowered in 77 days.<br />
Cream colored advanced R-lines trial (CCART): Eighteen R-lines with cream colored grains selected from<br />
the preliminary R-line trial, advanced R-line trial and dual R-line trial evaluated during the 2008 postrainy<br />
season were reevaluated in CCART during the 2009 postrainy season along with the checks RS 29, ICSR 89058,<br />
M 35-1 and ICSB 52. The R-line, SP07 93383, with a grain yield of 6.7 t ha -1 was numerically superior and<br />
comparable to the best check, RS 29 (6.5 t ha -1 ) [trial mean: 3.3 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.8]. It flowered in 81 days, had<br />
a height of 1.4m and grain weight of 2.7 g 100 -1 grains.<br />
White colored preliminary R-lines trial (WCPRT): Seventy-three newly developed white grain colored<br />
restorers of A 1 CMS system were reevaluated in a WCPRT along with the checks RS 29, ICSR 89058, M 35-1<br />
and ICSB 52 during the 2009 postrainy season. Eight R-lines (6.4 to 7.8 t ha -1 ) were numerically superior to the<br />
check, RS 29 (6.3 t ha -1 ) for grain yield [trial mean: 3.9 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 2.2]. These lines flowered in 73 to 80<br />
days, had a height of 1.5 to 2.2m and a grain size of 2.6 to 3.1g 100 -1 grains.<br />
Cream colored preliminary R-lines trial (CCPRT): Seventy-six newly developed cream grain colored<br />
restorers on A 1 CMS system were evaluated in a CCPRT along with the checks RS 29, ICSR 89058, M 35-1<br />
and ICSB 52 during the 2009 postrainy season. Three R-lines, SP09 25241-2, SP09 25231-1 and SP09 25268-1,<br />
with a grain yield of 7.7 to 8.0 t ha -1 was significantly superior to the best check, RS 29 (5.4 t ha -1 ) [trial mean:<br />
4.0 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 2.1]. These lines flowered in 74 to 75 days, had a height of 1.5 to 1.7m and a grain size of<br />
2.9 to 3.2g 100 -1 grains.<br />
White colored preliminary varieties trial (WCPVT): Sixty-four newly developed white colored varieties<br />
were evaluated in WCPVT during the 2009 postrainy season along with the checks SPV 1616, SPV 475, M 35-<br />
1 and ICSB 52. The variety SP09 25561-1 with a grain yield of 7.4 t ha -1 was significantly superior to the best<br />
check, SPV 1616 (5.3 t ha -1 ), while 16 varieties with grain yield ranging from 5.4 to 6.4 t ha -1 were numerically<br />
superior and comparable to SPV 1616 [trial mean: 3.8 t ha -1 , lsd (5%):1.8]. Among these varieties, SP09 25574-<br />
1 had a large grain size of 3.6g 100 -1 grains (SPV 1616: 2.8 g 100 -1 grains). It will be tested for restorer reaction.<br />
197
Cream colored preliminary varieties trial (CCPVT): Forty-six newly developed cream colored varieties<br />
were evaluated in CCPVT during the 2009 postrainy season along with the checks SPV 1616, SPV 475, M 35-1<br />
and ICSB 52. Three varieties SP09 25856-1, SP09 25656-1 and SP09 25640-1 with a grain yield ranging from<br />
5.3 to 6.6 t ha -1 was numerically superior and comparable to the best check, SPV 1616 (5.1 t ha -1 ) [trial mean:<br />
2.8 t ha -1 , lsd (5%):1.6]. These varieties flowered in 79 days (SPV 1616: 73 days), had a plant height of 1.4 to<br />
1.6 m (SPV 1616:1.9 m) and a 100-grain weight of 2.6 to 2.8 g (SPV 1616: 2.8g). They will be tested for<br />
restorer reaction.<br />
Rainy season evaluation:<br />
Advanced white grain colored R-lines trial (WCART): Twenty-six white grain colored R-lines selected from<br />
PRT and ART trials (referred above) conducted during the 2009 postrainy season were reevaluated in WCART<br />
during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season along with the checks RS 29 and SPV 1616. Compared to the best performing<br />
check RS 29 (1.8 t ha -1 ), one R-line, SP 09 32317-1 (2.5 t ha -1 ) was significantly superior for grain yield and 3<br />
R-lines with the grain yield ranging from 1.9 to 2.0 t ha -1 were numerically superior or comparable to it [trial<br />
mean: 1.3 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.8]. The threshed grain mold resistance (TGMR) scores of the selected lines ranged<br />
from 1.3 to 3.0 (RS 29: 1.7).<br />
Advanced Cream grain colored R-lines trial (CCART): Eighteen cream grain colored R-lines selected from<br />
PRT and ART trials conducted during the 2009 postrainy season were reevaluated in CCART during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
rainy season along with the checks RS 29 and SPV 1616. Compared to the check RS 29 (1.1 t ha -1 ), four R-lines<br />
with the grain yield ranging from 1.6 to 1.9 t ha -1 were significantly superior for grain yield [trial mean: 1.22 t<br />
ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.28]. The grain mold TGMR score, in the selected lines ranged from 1.3 to 2.3 (RS 29: 2.0).<br />
Preliminary R-lines trial (PRT): One hundred sixty-two newly developed R-lines were evaluated in PRT<br />
during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season along with the checks RS 29 and SPV 1616 in an augmented design. Compared to<br />
the best performing check RS 29 (2.2 t ha -1 ), eight R-lines, with a grain yield ranging from 3.3 to 4.1 t ha -1 , were<br />
significantly superior for grain yield [trial mean: 1.9 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.0]. The grain mold TGMR score ranged<br />
among them from 1.0 to 3.0 (RS 29: 1.0). SP 21657-1 was most tolerant to grain mold with a score of 1.0 (days<br />
to 50% flowering: 74 days and plant height: 2.5 m).<br />
Advanced varieties trial (AVT): Twenty varieties selected from WCPVT and CCPVT during the 2009<br />
postrainy season were evaluated in AVT during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season along with the check SPV 1616. One<br />
variety, SP09 25640 with a grain yield of 2.5 t ha -1 was numerically superior and comparable to SPV 1616 (2.4 t<br />
ha -1 ) [trial mean: 1.4 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.4]. This variety flowered in 80 days (SPV 1616: 71 days), had a plant<br />
height of 1.9 m (SPV 1616: 2.7 m), grain mold score of 1.7 (SPV 1616: 1.0) and a 100-grain weight of 2.6 g<br />
(SPV 1616: 3.0 g). It will be tested for restorer reaction.<br />
Preliminary varieties trial (PVT): Newly developed 215 varieties were evaluated in PVT during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
rainy season in augmented design along with the checks SPV 1616 and RS 29. Compared to the best performing<br />
check SPV 1616 (3.2 t ha -1 ), eight varieties, with grain yield ranging from 4.2 to 5.5 t ha -1 were significantly<br />
superior for grain yield [trial mean: 2.4 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 0.8]. The grain mold score in the selected lines ranged<br />
from 1.0 to 3.0 (SPV 1616: 3.0). The varieties, SP09 17005-1 and SP09 17046-1, were most tolerant to grain<br />
mold with a TGMR score of 1.0 (days to 50% flowering: 72-73 days and plant height: 1.9-2.1 m). They will be<br />
tested for restorer reaction.<br />
Belum VS Reddy, RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.2: Three brown midrib restorer lines with high yield and large grain developed (PSR/ BVSR,<br />
<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Brown midrib (bmr) color is a morphological marker for low lignin. It is essential to identify the suitable bmr<br />
source having high biomass and digestibility for use in forage breeding as well as to develop high biomass<br />
sorghums amenable for lignocellulosic ethanol production as low lignin reduces processing costs. Introgressed<br />
lines with bmr 6 and bmr12 in different backgrounds that were imported from USDA were evaluated for<br />
biomass and quality in a RCBD trial with three replications (plot size 2 rows of 2 m length with 75cm between<br />
the rows) in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season along with the check RSSV 9. Selection criteria: Tall plant height, more biomass,<br />
bmr score 1, high grain yield, low lignin and high digestibility.<br />
In the entries evaluated, the days to 50% flowering ranged from 54 and 89 days. The plant height ranged from<br />
0.5 to 2.9 m (RSSV 9: 2.7 m). The stalk weight ranged from 6.8 to 51.5 t ha -1 (RSSV 9: 27.3 t ha -1 ). Among the<br />
all genotypes, highest stalk yield was recorded by IS 11861 (51.5 t ha -1 ) followed by IS 23253 (43.7 t ha -1 ) and<br />
198
IS 23789 (43.3 t ha -1 ). Dried bmr line samples were sent to International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) for<br />
lignin quantity analysis.<br />
The lines, IS 11861, IS 23789 and IS 23253 were found to be high biomass lines. Once the results of quality<br />
analysis are available, 3-4 best sources of biomass and quality will be identified and used in the crossing<br />
program. The trial is being repeated in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season for confirmation of the previous results. An<br />
introgression program was initiated by developing 57 F 1 s from the crosses of bmr 6 and bmr12 with high<br />
biomass sweet sorghum varieties in 2009 postrainy season and these are being backcrossed in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy<br />
season.<br />
P Srinivasa Rao and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.3.1: Five new high-yielding and large grain male-sterile lines in diverse backgrounds<br />
developed (BVSR/HDU, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
A wide array of material ranging from F 2 to BC 7 stages from which a number of male-sterile lines can be<br />
identified in diverse backgrounds for rainy and postrainy season adaptations forms the backup materials for<br />
further improvement of male sterile lines for rainy and postrainy seasons adaptation. These materials were<br />
developed from crosses involving diverse parents from germplasm for both rainy and postrainy seasons.<br />
A. Dual-purpose B-line development for rainy season adaptation:<br />
A diverse array of progenies in various generations (F 3 s 975; F 4 s 1359 and F 5 s 34) and testcrosses and<br />
backcrosses in various stages and their progenies (700) were evaluated in nurseries with appropriate checks (296<br />
B and ICSB 101). Lines with grain yield and size better than the checks were selected.<br />
To diversify the hybrid parents for rainy season adaptation, from the crosses between high yielding B-lines,<br />
high-yielding varieties and lustrous germplasm lines, 180 F 4 s, 144 F s s and 7 F 6 s were selected based on grain<br />
yield and agronomic desirability during the rainy season <strong>2010</strong>. Further, 49 BC 7 s, 4 BC 6 s and 101 BC 1 s with A 1<br />
cytoplasm were selected for high grain yield and rainy season adaptation. Further, 493 F 6 s were test crossed and<br />
advanced with selection for grain yield and agronomic desirability.<br />
B. Dual-purpose B-line development for postrainy season adaptation:<br />
During the 2009 postrainy season, the following materials were evaluated for bold, round and lustrous grain and<br />
high grain yield in nurseries with M 35-1 and 296 B as checks. These are: F 3 s 833; F 4 s 2377, F 5 s 373 and F 6 s<br />
251. Test crosses and backcrosses in various stages and their progenies (856) were evaluated in nurseries with<br />
appropriate checks (296 B and M 35-1) for conversion and selection. Further, a population with maintainer<br />
reaction with ms 3 is being developed for postrainy season adaptation to provide source materials for selection of<br />
B-lines for postrainy season.<br />
We selected 1249 F 4 s from 833 F 3 s, and a total of 1310 F 5 progenies were selected from 2377 F 4 progenies<br />
based on grain boldness, lustre and yield during the 2009 postrainy season. These included<br />
• 43 F 5 progenies derived from crosses of M 35-1R and M 35-1 bulk with HY B-lines (ICSBs 38, 93, 52,<br />
101)<br />
• 39 F 5 progenies derived from crosses between HY B-lines, M 35-1 bulk and postrainy varieties<br />
including Gidda Maldandi,<br />
• 399 F 5 progenies derived from HY B-lines, lustrous germplasm B-line derivatives × postrainy varieties,<br />
Gidda Maldandi,<br />
• 276 F 5 progenies derived from the crosses between M 35-1 bulk × Gidda Maldandi B-selections,<br />
• 316 F 5 progenies derived from Gidda Maldandi B-selections × M 35-1 bulk and<br />
• 33 F 5 progenies derived from Gidda Maldandi B-selections × postrainy varieties,<br />
• 12 F 5 progenies derived from Gidda Maldandi R × HY B-lines,<br />
• 192 F 5 progenies derived from M 35-1 bulk × HY B-lines and Gidda Maldandi B-lines.<br />
Further, 258 F 6 s (from 373 F 5 s) and 89 F 7 s (from 251 F 6 s) were test crossed and advanced with selection for<br />
grain evident traits like grain size, color and lustre.<br />
During the 2009 rainy season, from the conversion program, 3 BC 7 s (high yielding), 10 BC 6 s (8 Gidda<br />
Maldandi-based and 2 high yielding), 10 BC 4 s (high yielding and shoot fly tolerant) and 68 BC 2 s on A 1<br />
cytoplasm were selected for high grain yield and grain characteristics. In addition, from the crosses involving<br />
high yielding B-lines with lustrous germplasm lines, Gidda Maldandi, M 35-1 bulk, postrainy and high yielding<br />
varieties, 229 BC 1 s were selected from 856 TCs for high grain yield, grain size and lustre, and agronomic<br />
desirability (HOPE project activity 2.3.1A).<br />
199
B-population (ms 3 gene): Ninety-two male steriles and 22 male fertiles were selected based on postrainy<br />
season adaptation grain characteristics – grain size and lustre in 2009 postrainy season, and mixed in 3:1 ratio to<br />
form C 2 bulk. It is being advanced in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
Belum VS Reddy<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.3.2: Five new high sugar-yielding hybrid parents in diverse backgrounds developed (PSR/<br />
BVSR/HDU, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Sweet sorghum hybrids are popular with farmers due to heterosis for biomass, sugar yield and earliness.<br />
Diversification of hybrid parental lines (both B and R-lines) holds the key for exploiting desired levels of<br />
heterosis for sugar yield and allied traits. Owing to high GxE interaction and seasonal adaptation, the entries<br />
screened and selected in rainy season are being advanced to next generation for rainy season screening only and<br />
similar method is being followed for postrainy season.<br />
B-line development:<br />
From a total of 100 F 1 s of elite sweet stalk (RxB) crosses which were made in 2009 postrainy season between<br />
new sweet sorghum varieties, B-lines, germplasm lines with high stem girth, high Brix% and high biomass lines<br />
to develop improved sweet sorghum B-lines. Selections were made based on green stem pith and agronomic<br />
performance. Similarly, F 1 s (BxR) of 183 elite sweet stalk crosses made in 2009 postrainy season between new<br />
sweet sorghum varieties, B-lines, germplasm lines with high girth, high Brix% and high biomass to develop new<br />
sweet sorghum superior B-lines were advanced to F 2 . Sixteen entries from RxB crosses and 36 F 1 s from BxR<br />
crosses were advanced further.<br />
R-line development:<br />
The following progenies obtained from the crosses made involving sweet sorghum varieties and sweet sorghum<br />
germplasm lines were evaluated during the 2009 postrainy season along with checks RSSV 9 and SSV84 that<br />
include 1136 F 5 s (from 1136 F 4 s), 436 F 4 s (from 598 F 3 s), 438 F 3 s(from 234 F 2 s), 294 F 2 s (from 296 F 1 s) for<br />
high Brix%, green pith and biomass.<br />
Further, the following progenies derived from crossing of superior B-lines, R-lines, sweet sorghum lines and<br />
germplasm accessions were screened for stem juiciness, Brix%, high biomass and grain yield during the 2009<br />
postrainy season along with checks RSSV 9 and SSV84. A total of 294 F 2 s (from 296 F 1 s), 438 F 3 s (from 234<br />
F 2 s), 436 F 4 s (from 598 F 3 s) and1136 F 5 s (from 1136 F 4 s) were generated. Progenies derived from the crosses<br />
involving high yielding lines, B-lines, R-lines and sweet sorghum varieties were evaluated in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season<br />
along with checks RSSV 9 and SSV84 and a total of 1011 F 3 s, 784 F 4 s and 985 F 5 s and 163 F6s were generated.<br />
Also 500 F 1 s derived from crossing of superior B-lines, R-lines, improved sweet sorghum lines and germplasm<br />
accessions were screened.<br />
The following progenies were advanced based on stem juiciness, Brix%, high biomass and grain yield during<br />
the in 2009 postrainy season, 294 F 3 s, 822 F 4 s and 1135 F 5 s and 1947 F 6 s. In the rainy season <strong>2010</strong>, 71 F 2 s,<br />
330F 4 s and 39 F 5 s and 64 F 6 s were selected for further screening.<br />
P Srinivasa Rao<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.3.3: Five new high-yielding and large grain restorer lines in diverse backgrounds developed<br />
(BVSR/HDU, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Dual-purpose R-line development<br />
Most of the restorer lines developed for rainy season adaptation are dual--purpose types with medium maturity.<br />
The postrainy season restorers are very limited and they all resemble M 35-1, and some of them do not restore<br />
fertility under low temperatures (
B. Postrainy season adaptation<br />
From the crosses made between postrainy R-lines, varieties, lustrous germplasm lines and M 35-1 tan lines, 218<br />
F 4 selections made for grain boldness, lustre and yield during the 2008 postrainy season and from the crosses<br />
made between postrainy variety, common R-lines (on all CMS systems), Gidda Maldandi, M 35-1 tan bulk, 292<br />
F 4 and 225 F 3 selections made for bold and lustrous grain were evaluated during the 2009 postrainy season in a<br />
nursery with M 35-1 as check. Also, 675 F 5 s and 584 F 6 s obtained from 2008 postrainy season were also<br />
evaluated similarly. Further 721 test crosses were also made in 2009 postrainy season for identifying restorers.<br />
Also, 381 F 1 s made in 2008 postrainy season were advanced in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. A population with ms 3 gene<br />
is also being developed to provide source for selection of R-lines improved for postrainy season adaptation.<br />
Two hundred and sixty two F 2 s, 327 F 4 s, 259 F 5 s, 856 F 6 s and 586 advance progenies (F 7 s) derived from the<br />
crosses involving M 35-1 bulk, postrainy varieties including Gidda Maldandi; and from the crosses involving<br />
high yielding R-lines, postrainy varieties, high yielding varieties and dual R-lines were selected for grain yield<br />
and postrainy season adaptation. The selected progenies and testcrosses are being evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
postrainy season. (HOPE project Activities 2.5.1 to 2.5.3).<br />
R-population (ms 3 gene): Forty male sterile plants and 50 male fertile plants were selected based on postrainy<br />
grain characteristics – grain size and lustre in 2009 postrainy season and mixed in 3:1 ratio to form C 2<br />
population bulk. Postrainy season varieties were crossed on population male sterile plants to derive 18 F 1 s<br />
which are being grown individually during the <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
Belum V S Reddy<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.4.1: Four new male-sterile lines resistant each to shoot fly and grain mold in diverse<br />
backgrounds developed (BVSR/RPT/HCS, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Grain mold and shoot fly are the major biotic constraints of rainy season sorghum affecting the yield and grain<br />
quality. Use of resistant cultivars along with other methods of control was found effective for managing grain<br />
mold and shoot fly in sorghum.<br />
Grain mold resistance donors in red and white grain backgrounds, and shoot fly resistance donors identified in<br />
the germplasm accessions were used in the crossing programs. The selected progenies with maintainer reaction<br />
are being converted into male-sterile lines. The selected advanced progenies with restorer reaction were<br />
evaluated in replicated trials for their grain mold and shoot fly resistance, and agronomic desirability. The<br />
advanced male sterile lines and restorers were evaluated both as lines per se or in hybrid combinations.<br />
A. Dual-purpose B-line development (Advanced)<br />
The B-lines that were completely converted into male-sterile lines were evaluated in replicated yield trials<br />
during the both rainy and postrainy season. Selections were made based on yield superiority over the best check<br />
and bold grain size. The results are as under.<br />
Postrainy season:<br />
Shoot fly hybrids and parents trial (SFHPT)-Postrainy season: We evaluated 18 sorghum shoot fly hybrids<br />
and their parents (18 hybrids, 5 B-lines and 6 R-lines and three controls – IS 18551 - shoot fly resistant, Swarna<br />
- shoot fly susceptible, and CSH 23 - high grain yield hybrid) in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD<br />
with 3 replications) for shoot fly resistance in shoot fly screening block and for agronomic performance in<br />
breeding block in 2009 postrainy season. The control hybrid – CSH 23 had 3.1 t ha -1 (trial mean: 4.31; SE+:<br />
0.48) grain yield in breeding block and 64% dead hearts (trial mean: 51.0; SE+: 13.54) in screening block. The<br />
susceptible control Swarna had 66 SFDH% and the resistant control IS 18551 had 16 SFDH%. Three test<br />
hybrids ICSA 29004 x ICSV 25263 (5.7 t ha -1 ; SFDH%: 25), ICSA 29002 x SPV 1411 (5.5 t ha -1 ; SFDH%: 33)<br />
and ICSA 29001 x S 35 (4.6 t ha -1 ; SFDH%: 33), had significantly higher grain yield (by 28 to 58%) over CSH<br />
23 and 34 to 50% less SFDH%.<br />
Shoot fly preliminary B-lines trial (SFPBT)-Postrainy season: We evaluated 15 postrainy season adapted<br />
preliminary B-line progenies (BC 7 s on A 1 ) and 7 BC 6 s on A 2, along with two controls (296B and IS 18551) as<br />
SFPBTA 1 and SFPBTA 2 for shoot fly resistance in screening block and for grain yield assessment in breeding<br />
block in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
Screening of B-lines for shoot fly resistance: New postrainy season B-lines (38) were evaluated along with<br />
three checks in a three-replicated RCBD during the 2009 postrainy season for shoot fly resistance. The B-lines<br />
were screened for shoot fly resistance using interlards fishmeal technique. The B-lines SP 27703 (21%) and SP<br />
201
27719 (22%) were the top two resistant lines though numerically not superior to the checks (IS 18551: 7.5%;<br />
Swarna: 13%). The B-lines selected from RPBT and RLBT are being screened for shoot fly resistance in during<br />
the 2009 postrainy season (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.6).<br />
Rainy season:<br />
Grain mold hybrids and parents trial (GMHPT): We evaluated 22 sorghum grain mold hybrids and their<br />
parents (22 hybrids, 7 B-lines and 7 R-lines and four controls – IS 14384 - grain mold resistant, SPV 104 - grain<br />
mold susceptible, CSH 23 - high grain yield hybrid and 296 B - high grain yield B-line) in RCBD with 3<br />
replications for grain mold resistance in grain mold screening block under sprinkler irrigation and for agronomic<br />
performance in breeding block in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The control hybrid – CSH 23 had 3.2 t ha -1 grain yield<br />
(trial mean: 2.91; SE+: 0.30) in breeding block and panicle grain mold rating (PGMR) score 4.4 (trial mean:<br />
3.53; SE+: 0.58) taken on scale 1 to 9 where 1 = no mold and 9= >90% mold. Three test hybrids ICSA 29014 x<br />
SPV 1411 (5.6 t ha -1 ; PGMR score: 1.5), ICSA 29016 x SPV 1411 (5.0 t ha -1 ; PGMR score: 1.6) and ICSA<br />
29013 x SPV 1411 (4.1 t ha -1 ; PGMR score: 1.7), had significantly higher grain yield (by 15 to 60%) with lesser<br />
PGMR score (by 55 to 61%) over CSH 23.<br />
Grain mold advanced B-lines trial (GMABT-A 1 )-Rainy season: We evaluated 37 advanced B-line progenies<br />
(37 BC 8 s on A 1 ) along with four controls (296B, ICSB 101, SPV 104, IS 14384) as GMABTA 1 in RCBD with 3<br />
replications for grain mold resistance in grain mold screening block and for agronomic performance in breeding<br />
block in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The controls 296 B and ICSB 101, respectively had 2.0 and 3.3 t ha -1 (trial mean:<br />
2.65; SE+: 0.31) grain yield in breeding block and PGMR score 7.1 and 5.2 (trial mean: 3.87; SE+: 0.45) taken<br />
on scale 1 to 9 where 1 = no mold and 9= >90% mold in screening block evaluated under sprinkler irrigation.<br />
Twenty-four B-line progenies had significantly higher grain yield (by 16 to 57%) over 296 B ranging from 2.7<br />
to 3.6 t ha -1 with significantly less PGMR score 2.6 to 5.5 (by 18 to 64%) . . One B-line progeny (SP 43543-1)<br />
had better grain yield (3.6 t ha -1 ) and better PGMR score 3.9 than ICSB 101 (grain yield: 3.3 t ha -1 : PGMR: 5.2).<br />
Grain mold preliminary A 2- B-lines trial (GMPBT-A 2 )-Rainy season: We evaluated seven preliminary A 2 B-<br />
line progenies (5 BC 8 s A 2 , and 2 BC 7 s A 2 ) along with four controls (296B, ICSB 101, SPV 104, IS 14384) as<br />
GMPBTA 2 in RCBD (3 replications) for grain mold resistance in screening block and grain yield assessment in<br />
breeding block in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The controls 296 B and ICSB 101, respectively had 1.9 and 1.5 t ha -1 (trial<br />
mean: 2.49; SE+: 0.28) for grain yield in breeding block and PGMR score 6.3 and 4.3 (trial mean: 4.42; SE+:<br />
0.21) taken on scale 1 to 9 where 1 = no mold and 9= >90% mold in screening block evaluated under sprinkler<br />
irrigation. Four B-line progenies (SPs 43613-2, 43623-1, 43615-1, and SP 43619-1) had significantly higher<br />
grain yield (by 17 to 50%) ranging from 2.6 to 3.3 t ha -1 with significantly less (by 34 to 43%) PGMR score 3.7<br />
to 4.3 over 296 B.<br />
Shoot fly hybrids and parents trial (SFHPT)-Rainy season: We evaluated 18 sorghum shoot fly hybrids and<br />
their parents (18 hybrids, 5 B-lines and 6 R-lines and three controls – IS 18551 - shoot fly resistant, Swarna -<br />
shoot fly susceptible, and CSH 23 - high grain yield hybrid) in RCBD with 3 replications for shoot fly<br />
resistance in shoot fly screening block and for agronomic performance in breeding block in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
The control hybrid – CSH 23 had 2.3 t ha -1 (trial mean: 1.65; SE+: 0.21) for grain yield in breeding block and<br />
SFDH% 89 (trial mean: 79.90; SE+: 7.75) in screening block. The susceptible control Swarna had 72% SFDHs<br />
and the resistant control IS 18551 had 50% SFDHs. Deadheart incidence in the test entries ranged from 37.0 to<br />
96.7%. CSB 29002, ICSB 29005, and ICSB 29006 suffered
2 had significantly 25 and 18 less SFDH% than ICSB 409 and 296 B respectively; while SP 44255-2 was on par<br />
with ICSB 409 and 296 B for SFDH%.<br />
Shoot fly preliminary A 1- B-lines trial (SFPBT-A 1 )-Rainy season: We evaluated 81 rainy season adapted A 1<br />
preliminary B-line progenies (BC 6 s on A 1 ) along with three controls (296B, IS 18551, Swarna) as SFPBTA 1 in<br />
RCBD with 3 replications for shoot fly resistance in shoot fly screening block and for agronomic performance in<br />
breeding block in rainy season. The control 296 B had 1.1 t ha -1 (trial mean: 1.57; SE+: 0.19) grain yield in<br />
breeding block and shoot fly dead hearts percentage (SFDH %) 86 (trial mean: 82.70; SE+: 6.94) in screening<br />
block. Deadheart incidence in the test entries ranged from 48.4 to 99.2%, and five maintainer lines suffered<br />
Thirty eight new B-lines with postrainy season adaptation were evaluated along with three checks in a threereplicated<br />
RBD design during the 2009 postrainy season in three separate trials – 1) grain yield and other<br />
agronomic traits, 2) charcoal rot resistance and 3) shoot fly resistance.<br />
a) Eight B-lines had higher grain yield ranging from 4.6 to 6.1 t ha -1 and two of them, SP 27711-1 and SP<br />
27697-1, were significantly superior to the popular postrainy B-line check, ICSB 52 (4.6 t ha -1 ) while<br />
four of them were superior to the popular rainy season B-line check, 296B (3.6 t ha -1 ). Grain luster<br />
score of the eight B-lines ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 (ICSB 52: 2.0; 296B: 3.0). Grain size among them<br />
ranged from 1.2 to 1.9 g 100 -1 grains (ICSB 52: 1.6 m; 296B: 1.3 m). The plant height of the eight B-<br />
lines ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 (ICSB 52: 2.0; 296B: 3.0) while they flowered in 74 to 80 days (ICSB 52:<br />
69 days, 296B: 74 days).<br />
b) The B-lines were screened for charcoal rot by artificial inoculation under field conditions and two<br />
promising lines (27543-1 and 27715-1) with a charcoal rot score of
Screening of sweet sorghum hybrids for shoot fly resistance:<br />
A total of 40 sweet sorghum advanced sweet sorghum hybrids were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season with<br />
IS 18551 as resistant check and Swarna as susceptible checks in RCBD. 2. A total of 35 sweet sorghum elite<br />
hybrids were evaluated in RCBD with IS 2205 as a resistant check and Swarna as a susceptible check. In the<br />
advanced hybrids, dead heart incidence varied from 9 to 98%.Three out of forty lines ICSV 700 (9%), ICSV 705<br />
(17%) and ICSV 93046 (18%) had 9 to 18 % less shoot fly dead heart incidence compared to susceptible check<br />
Swarna (37%). Dead heart incidence in the elite hybrids varied from Nil in ICSA 433 × SPV 422, ICSA 433 ×<br />
ICSV 93046, ICSA 731 × ICSV 93046 to 28 % in SP 97030 × SPV 422 compared to 1 % in resistant check IS<br />
18551 and 13 % in susceptible check Swarna.<br />
A total of 138 sweet sorghum advanced hybrids were evaluated during the in 2009 postrainy season in RCBD<br />
with IS 18551 as a resistant check and Swarna as a susceptible check. Dead heart incidence in the advance<br />
hybrids varied from 10- 88%, forty six out of 138 advanced hybrids had 1-45 % less to shoot fly dead heart<br />
incidence compared to susceptible check, Swarna (75%).<br />
P Srinivasa Rao, Belum VS Reddy and HC Sharma<br />
Eighty-four QTL-derived BC 4 F4 progenies (296B x IS 18551) were evaluated for resistance to shoot fly, A.<br />
soccata under interlard fishmeal technique in the field, along with the resistant check, IS 18551. Data were<br />
recorded on leaf glossiness score, plants with eggs, and deadheart incidence at 14 and 21 days after seedling<br />
emergence. Leaf glossiness scores of the derived lines varied from 1.0 to 5.0 compared to 1.0 in the resistant<br />
check, IS 18551. There were 75.4 to 100.0% plants with deadhearts at 28 days after seedling emergence. In<br />
another trial, 64 entries (BC4F6 progenies from BT x 623 x IS 18551) were evaluated for shoot fly resistance.<br />
The leaf glossiness scores of the derived lines varied from 1 to 5 compared to 1 in the resistant check, IS 18551.<br />
There were 74.4 to 100.0% plants with deadhearts at 28 days after seedling emergence.<br />
HC Sharma, CT Hash and S Deshpande<br />
Screening of sweet sorghum hybrids for stem borer resistance:<br />
It is important to have resistance to stem borer in sweet sorghum cultivars to realize high sugar yield as the<br />
tunneling in the stalks and the resulting deadheart formation severely reduce Brix% and juice yield. A total of 98<br />
sweet sorghum advanced B-lines were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season in RCBD with IS 2205 as a<br />
resistant check and Swarna as a susceptible check. The dead heart formation was Nil in ICSB 475 & SP 4495.<br />
Nine lines recorded 5-85 % less shoot fly dead hearts (Swarna: 4%).<br />
P Srinivasa Rao, Belum VS Reddy and HC Sharma<br />
Screening of B-lines for resistance to charcoal rot:<br />
It is important to check the lines intended for postrainy season for tolerance to charcoal rot. New B-lines<br />
selected for postrainy season adaptation (38) were evaluated for charcoal rot resistance by artificial inoculation<br />
under field conditions along with two checks (ICSB 52 and 296B) in a three-replicated RCBD during the 2009<br />
postrainy season. The inoculated plants in test lines were scored for charcoal rot severity at the physiological<br />
maturity (25-35 days after inoculation) on a 1 to 5 scale, where:1 = one inter node invaded, but rot does not pass<br />
through any nodal area; and 5 = most internodes extensively invaded, leading shredding of stalk and lodging of<br />
plant. Two promising lines (27543-1 and 27715-1) with a charcoal rot score of
lustrous germplasm lines; 790 F 3 from crosses involving B-line parents and HYB, M 35-1 bulk, Gidda Maldandi,<br />
and 52 F 3 s from crosses involving brown mid rib lines and 375 F 2 s (involving B-line parents and shoot fly<br />
resistant germplasm lines and varieties, Gidda Maldandi, M 35-1 Tan, postrainy season varieties, bold grain<br />
lines from Yemen, Eritrea and Muskwari sorghums) were evaluated in the postrainy season for further selection<br />
and screening for resistance to shoot fly. A total of 190 F 4 progenies were generated from 323 F 3 progenies<br />
(crosses involving B-line parents and M 35-1 selections, SPV 1359, HYB, lustrous germplasm lines) and 995 F 4<br />
progenies were selected from 790 F 3 progenies (crosses involving B-line parents and HYB, M 35-1 bulk, Gidda<br />
Maldandi) and 64 F 4 progenies involving brown-midrib germplasm with high -yielding bold grain B-lines were<br />
selected based on grain yield and postrainy season adaptation during the 2009 postrainy season.<br />
A total of 982 F 3 progenies were selected from 375 F 2 populations (involving B-line parents and shoot fly<br />
resistant germplasm lines and varieties, Gidda Maldandi, M 35-1 Tan, postrainy season varieties, bold grain<br />
lines from Yemen, Eritrea and Muskwari sorghums) based on grain boldness, lustre and yield during the 2009<br />
postrainy season, and these are being evaluated in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
Belum VS Reddy and HC Sharma<br />
Milestone 5A.2.1.1.2: Forty F 6 lines developed for resistance to each of grain mold and shoot fly<br />
(AAK/BVSR/RPT/HCS/RS, 2011)<br />
Grain mold resistance donors in red and white grain backgrounds and shoot fly resistance donors identified in<br />
the germplasm accessions were used in the crossing programs. The selected advanced progenies with restorer<br />
reaction were evaluated in replicated trials for their grain mold and shoot fly resistance and agronomic<br />
desirability. The results were as follows:<br />
1. Advancing 254 F 5 s derived from the crosses between high Fe and Zn lines and adapted B and R- lines<br />
and un-adapted germplasm lines for grain mold tolerance in 2009 postrainy season resulted in the<br />
generation of 153 F 6 s based on agronomic desirability. These 153 F 6 s were evaluated with three controls<br />
(296 B- high yielding B-line, IS 14384 – grain mold resistant control and SPV 104 grain mold susceptible<br />
control) in RCBD (3 replications) for grain mold resistance in screening block under sprinkler irrigation<br />
in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The F 6 progenies ranged for panicle grain mold rating (PGMR) score from 2.0 to<br />
7.6 taken on scale 1 to 9 where 1 = no mold and 9= >90% mold. The controls 296B, IS 14384 and SPV<br />
104 had PGMR score 6.9, 1.0 and 7.6, respectively (trial mean: 3.6; SE+: 0.52). Eighty three F 6 s had<br />
PGMR score below trial mean score (3.6) and selected 118 F 7 s progenies for advancing and test crossing<br />
in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
2. Advancing 400 F 4 progenies derived from the crosses between grain mold resistant lines and high<br />
yielding B-lines in 2009 postrainy season resulted in the generation of 400 F 5 s. These 400 F 5 progenies<br />
were grown for further advancement and test crossing in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season in breeding block and<br />
selected 156 F 6 s/test crosses. These were grown in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
3. Advancing 403 F 3 progenies derived from the crosses between shoot fly resistant lines and high yielding<br />
B-lines in 2009 postrainy season resulted in the generation of 300 F 4 s. These were grown as nursery in<br />
breeding block for B-line development with shoot fly resistance in low fertility condition to provide<br />
normal shoot fly conditions in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. Test crossing was also carried out and selected 30<br />
F 5 s/test crosses based on agronomic desirability and grown in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season.<br />
4. Evaluation of F 1 s for shoot fly resistance (141), grain mold resistance (17) and Fe and Zn rich parents<br />
(34) developed separately using new sources for shoot fly resistance and for grain mold resistance from<br />
germplasm and high yielding B-lines resulted in the selection of 192 F 2 s (SF: 141; GM: 17 and Fe and<br />
Zn: 34).<br />
5. Parents (51) were selected and planted in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season to make new F 1 crosses to develop<br />
shoot fly resistant B-lines.<br />
A Ashok Kumar, Belum VS Reddy, RP Thakur,<br />
Rajan Sharma and HC Sharma<br />
Milestone 5A.2.1.2: Two F 6 RIL population (300 lines each) developed for mapping grain mold resistance<br />
(CTH/BVSR/SPD/RPT/RS, 2008)<br />
Based on the genetic diversity studies, three pairs of resistant and susceptible parental lines with dissimilarity<br />
indices of >0.50 were crossed to develop RIL mapping populations for mapping genomic regions contributing to<br />
sorghum grain mold resistance. These segregating mapping populations based on biparental crosses segregating<br />
for grain mold resistance were advanced from F 5 generation to F 6 generation during the rainy season of <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Numbers of progenies advanced in the 3 population are: 346 from Bulk Y-P1 × ICSB 377-P1, 389 from SP<br />
206
2417-P3 × IS 41397-3-P6 and 376 from ICSB 370-2-9-P2 × IS 8219-P1. The harvested F 6 seed will be sown for<br />
a final seed increase during the late post rainy <strong>2010</strong> to constitute the RIL populations.<br />
CT Hash, Rajan Sharma, RP Thakur and SP Deshpande<br />
Activity 5A.4.1: Understanding host-pathogen-environment interaction in grain mold complex<br />
Milestone 5A.4.1.1: Major grain mold pathogens in sorghum growing states in India identified and their<br />
distribution in relation to whether factors determined (RPT/RS,2007)<br />
Grain mold severity scores on grain samples from Sorghum Grain Mold Virulence Nursery (SGMVN)<br />
conducted at five locations (Akola, Parbhani, Palem and Patancheru) for three rainy seasons 2002, 2003 and<br />
2004 indicated that Fusarium spp., Curvularia lunataand and Alternaria alternata are more prominent than<br />
other fungi associated with the grain mold. Since Tmin and Rmax during flowering to physiological maturity are<br />
most critical for mold development, we studied the distribution of pathogenic fungi in relation to these weather<br />
variables. It appears that Tmin 18-20 o C and relative humidity (Rmax) around 80% favored Curvularia at Akola<br />
and higher humidity (Rmax around 90%) and almost same Tmin favored Alternaria at Patancheru. High Tmin<br />
favors Fusarium as the fungus was predominant at Parbhani having Tmin around 22 o C.<br />
RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Milestone 5A.4.1.2: Mycotoxim-producing isolates of Fusarium species associated with grain mold identified<br />
and characterized, and genetic resistance in relation to other major pathogens determined<br />
(RPT/BVSR/RS,2009)<br />
A total of 672 isolates of Fusarium were collected from naturally molded sorghum grains from five locations<br />
(Akola, Parbhani, Patancheru, Palem and Surat) in India during 2003-05. Sixty-three representative isolates<br />
were selected to study genetic relatedness/diversity through amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)<br />
and sequence based identification. Five EcoR1-Mse1 AFLP primer combinations (Etg + Mcag, Eaa + Mctt, Eac<br />
+ Mcag, Etc + Mctt and Etg + Mcag), were examined in the 63 isolates. AFLP profiles were used to construct a<br />
binary matrix and the data were then analyzed using Numerical Taxonomy System Version 2.2 (NTSYSpc).<br />
DNA sequence variation was assessed by sequencing part of α-Elongation factor (EF1) using the gene-specific<br />
primer pair using BigDye Terminator cycle sequencing kit on ABI3130XL (Applied Biosystems, California,<br />
USA). The sequences were aligned through CLUSTAL W. The dissimilarity index was calculated from the<br />
aligned sequences of different isolates using ‘Simple matching’ option in DARwin and a weighted neighbor<br />
joining tree was constructed. Sequences of the EF1-PCR fragments were searched against those in the NCBI<br />
database using BLAST for species identification.<br />
A high level of polymorphism was observed among isolates following selective amplification with 5 AFLP<br />
primer combinations. The dendrogram generated from the AFLP data revealed genetic diversity among the<br />
isolates. Five major groups were identified and the isolates of the same species clustered together. The<br />
sequences of EF-1α gene from each of the 63 Fusarium isolates (query) were compared to those from various<br />
known species of Fusarium (subject) in the NCBI database. Five species of Fusarium – F. proliferatum, F.<br />
thapsinum, F. equiseti, F. andiyazi and F. sacchari were identified based on sequence similarity. Neighbor<br />
joining tree constructed using α-Elongation factor gene sequence of test isolates clustered the isolates of the<br />
same species in the distinct groups. F. thapsinum was identified as predominant species in Fusarium – grain<br />
mold complex in India.<br />
Fumonisins-producing potential of 63 isolates of Fusarium was assessed through ELISA. Strains of F.<br />
proliferatum were identified as highly toxigenic for fumonisins production followed by F. andiyazi. Isolate F<br />
242 (F. proliferatum) was the highest fumonisin (B 1 ) producing strain (476539 µg kg -1 seed). Ten of the 12 F.<br />
proliferatum isolates produced high levels (>28000 µg kg -1 seed) of fumonisins, whereas two isolates F316 and<br />
F 953 produced less (100000 µg kg -1 seed) of fumonisin. Strains of F. thapsinum, F. equiseti, and F. sacchari<br />
were non-fumonisin producers, however, one isolate of F. thapsinum (F88) produced good amount of fumonisin.<br />
One isolate of F. sacchari (F 22) and two isolates of F. thapsinum (F 241 and F 329) produced about 1500 µg<br />
fumonisin kg -1 seed. Highly toxigenic isolates FM 22, 88, 234, 242 and 943 were selected to prove their<br />
pathogenicity. Panicles of Bulk Y and 296B were spray inoculated with the conidial suspension of these isolates<br />
and pathogenicity was confirmed by visualizing the grain colonization by the test strains of Fusarium using<br />
blotter test.<br />
Rajan Sharma and RP Thakur<br />
207
Milestone 5A.4.1.3: Relative contributions of host and environmental factors in mold development assessed<br />
(RPT/BVSR/RS,<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Influence of weather variables on sorghum grain mold development. We studied the influence of weather<br />
variables, temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH) on sorghum grain mold development. The T and RH data,<br />
and grain mold severity scores on grain samples of 32 sorghum lines collected from an ICAR-<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
collaborative Sorghum Grain Mold Resistance Stability Nursery (SGMRSN) conducted at four locations<br />
(Coimbatore, Dharwad, Parbhani and Patancheru) for two rainy seasons 2005 and 2006 were used for this study.<br />
The weekly averages (across locations and seasons) of T (Tmax and Tmin) and RH (RHmax and RHmin) for a<br />
2-month post-flowering period (grain-filling to physiological maturity period) were correlated against the<br />
average grain mold severity scores. Positive and significant (P ≤ 0.05) correlations (r = 0.83-0.95) were found<br />
between average weekly Tmin (18.5 to 22.5 C) during the standard 37 th and 38 th week (the 1 st and 2 nd weeks<br />
after panicle emergence) and the average grain mold severity of sorghum lines. This two week period coincided<br />
with the anthesis and ovary fertilization stages of most sorghum lines during which time infection by mold<br />
pathogens took place. Similarly, another significant positive correlation (r = 0.89-0.97) was found between the<br />
average RHmax (76 to 96%) during the standard 41st and 42 nd week (the 5 th and 6 th week after panicle<br />
emergence) and the average grain mold severity. This period, for most sorghum lines, coincided with harddough<br />
to physiological maturity stages, and during this period infected grains, under high humidity conditions,<br />
showed rapid colonization by various mold fungi. Such infected grains developed growth of other saprophytic<br />
fungi as well when left in the field beyond physiological maturity. The regression analyses showed a near-linear<br />
relationship between Tmin and grain mold severity scores (R 2 = 0.96-0.99), and between RHmax and grain mold<br />
severity scores (R 2 = 0.98-0.99) (Fig. 1). Thus, the two most important weather variables, Tmin during anthesis<br />
to fertilization stage and RHmax during hard-dough to grain maturity stage appeared critical for infection and<br />
grain colonization by major mold pathogens (species of Fusarium, Curvularia, Alternaria and Phoma) in the<br />
sorghum grain mold complex. Detailed analysis of weather variables and grain mold severity for individual<br />
locations can be done to develop a prediction model to better manage the risk of grain mold in sorghum.<br />
37 Wk Temp Min<br />
42 Wk Rh Max<br />
23<br />
23<br />
y = -1.514x 3 + 11.88x 2 - 28.95x + 43.12<br />
R² = 0.998<br />
95<br />
91<br />
y = -1.870x 3 + 11.39x 2 - 12.85x + 78.24<br />
R² = 0.987<br />
Temp Min<br />
22<br />
22<br />
RH Max<br />
87<br />
83<br />
21<br />
79<br />
21<br />
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0<br />
Grain mold rating<br />
75<br />
0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0<br />
Grain mold rating<br />
Fig. 1. Relationship between grain mold development, and minimum temp and maximum relative humidity (RH)<br />
Association of physio-morphological traits (host factor) with grain mold resistance<br />
Fifty morphologically diverse sorghum germplasm accessions were screened in grain mold nursery for disease<br />
reaction. The grain mold evaluation was carried out under natural infection with high humidity (>90%RH)<br />
provided by overhead sprinklers for 30 min twice a day on rain free days till physiological maturity of the grains.<br />
The experiment was conducted in RCBD with two replications, 1 rows of 2m length/replication. The grain mold<br />
severity was recorded on a progressive 1-9 scale.<br />
Data were recorded for agronomic traits such as days to 50% flowering and plant height (cm); and<br />
morphological traits such as panicle type, glumes coverage (%) and, glumes and grain color to determine<br />
association of these traits with grain mold resistance. The variation in qualitative morphological traits, such as<br />
panicle type, glumes color and grain color were assigned numerical ratings following the DUS (Distinctiveness,<br />
Uniformity and Stability) ratings developed by National Research Centre for Sorghum to facilitate statistical<br />
analysis.<br />
The association studies did not show high correlations between plant traits and grain mold reaction. However,<br />
significant negative correlations were observed for grain mold severity with grain color (r = -0.45, P
Milestone 5A.4.2.1: Insect – host genotype - natural enemy interactions and mechanisms of resistance and their<br />
inheritance studied in sorghum (HCS/BVSR, 2009).<br />
Sorghum is damaged by several insect pests, of which shoot fly - Ahterigona soccat, spotted stem borer - Chilo<br />
partellus, sorghum midge - Stenodiplosis sorghicola, and head bugs - Calocoris angustatus and Eurystylus oldi),<br />
are serious pests of grain sorghum worldwide, and host plant resistance is an important component for the<br />
management of these pests. Therefore, we evaluated identified sources and improved genotypes for multiple<br />
resistance to these pests to identify lines with resistance/tolerance to more than one insect species, and to<br />
understand the resistance mechanism for use in sorghum improvement.<br />
Identify sorghum lines with multiple resistance to insect pests<br />
To identify sorghum lines with multiple resistance to insect pests, and to understand the resistance mechanisms<br />
and diversity among the lines that have been identified earlier to be resistant to different insect pests (sorghum<br />
shoot fly - Atherigona soccata, spotted stem borer - Chilo partellus, sorghum midge - Stenodiplosis sorghicola,<br />
and head bugs - Calocoris angustatus and Eurystylus oldi), over 300 lines were evaluated for resistance to shoot<br />
fly, stem borer, midge, and head bugs. The lines showing high levels of resistance to different insect pests or<br />
having high to moderate levels of resistance to 2 to 3 insect pests and better agronomic desirability were<br />
selected for further testing for resistance to all the four insect species during the 2009 rainy season. The material<br />
was divided into three groups; early-, medium-, and long-duration.<br />
One hundred lines belonging to short (
In the postrainy season short-duration midge screening nursery, the midge damage scores ranged from 1.0 to 8.3,<br />
and 29 genotypes showed high levels of resistance (DR
spreading the aphids, suggesting that clipping the aphid infested leaf to the 5 th leaf of the plants at the boot leaf<br />
stage was quite effective in screening for aphid resistance<br />
Identification of sources of resistance<br />
Thirty-one sorghum lines comprising of improved breeding lines and germplasm accessions were screened for<br />
resistance during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. There were three replications, and observations were recorded at<br />
physiological maturity on aphid damage (1 = 80% leaf area damaged). The<br />
aphid damage scores ranged from 3.5 to 7.5, and the genotypes 61510, 61523, 61588, 61592, IS 40620, SLR 39,<br />
DJ 6514, and PU 10-1 exhibited a leaf damage rating of
RLBT during the 2009 postrainy season in a three-replicated RCBD along with the checks 296B, ICSB 52, M<br />
35-1 and SPV 1411. Compared to the best B-line check, ICSB 52, seven B-lines with the grain yield ranging<br />
from 5.0 to 6.0 t ha -1 were significantly superior by 32 to 58% [trial mean: 4.5 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.1]. Among<br />
these B-lines, the grain lustre score (taken on a 1 to 3 scale, where 1 = most lustrous and 3 = least lustrous)<br />
ranged from 2.0 to 2.7 (ICSB 52: 2.0, 296B: 3.0), grain size ranged from 2.3 to 3.2 g 100 -1 grains (ICSB 52: 3.3,<br />
296B: 2.2). These lines flowered in 70 to 75 days (ICSB 52: 71 days, 296B: 73 days) and had a plant height of<br />
1.3 to 1.7 m (ICSB 52: 1.7m, 296B: 1.2 m) (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.6). The above B-lines will be evaluated<br />
for their combining ability in hybrid combinations.<br />
Postrainy preliminary B-lines trial (RPBT): Thirty-eight new B-lines developed from the Gidda Maldandi ×<br />
296B, M 35-1 Bulk × ICSB 93, HY B-lines × HY B-lines crosses were evaluated in RPBT during the 2009<br />
postrainy season in a three-replicated RCBD along with the checks 296B and ICSB 52. Compared to the best B-<br />
line check, ICSB 52 (4.6 t ha -1 ), four B-lines, SP 27711-1 (6.1 t ha -1 ), SP 27697-1 (5.9 t ha -1 ), SP 27631-1 (5.6 t<br />
ha -1 ) and SP 27619-1 (5.1 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior by 11 to 33% [trial mean: 3.8 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.2].<br />
Among these B-lines, the grain lustre score ranged from 2.0 to 3.0 (ICSB 52: 2.0, 296B: 3.0), grain size ranged<br />
from 2.2 to 3.3 g 100 -1 grains (ICSB 52: 3.4, 296B: 2.5). These lines flowered in 74 to 80 days (ICSB 52: 69<br />
days, 296B: 74 days) and had a plant height of 1.3 to 1.9 m (ICSB 52: 1.6 m, 296B: 1.3 m) (HOPE Project<br />
Activity 2.3.6). The above B-lines will be evaluated for their combining ability in hybrid combinations.<br />
Postrainy elite R-lines and varieties trial (REVRT): Thirty-two postrainy season adapted varieties and<br />
restorer lines selected from REVRT, RPRT, RAVT conducted during the 2008 postrainy season were evaluated<br />
during the 2009 postrainy season in a three-replicated RCBD along with the checks M 35-1 and SPV 1411.<br />
Compared to the best check SPV 1411 (4.6 t ha -1 ), 10 varieties/R-lines were numerically superior by 2 to 28%<br />
[trial mean: 4.1 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.5]. Four lines had tan plant color. Among these lines, the grain lustre score<br />
ranged from 1.3 to 2.7 (SPV 1411: 1.7, M 35-1: 2.3), grain size (g 100 -1 grains) ranged from 2.8 to 3.7 (SPV<br />
1411: 3.4, M 35-1: 2.9). These lines flowered in 72 to 78 days (SPV 1411: 76 days, M 35-1: 71 days) and had a<br />
plant height of 1.7 to 2.5 m (SPV 1411: 2.3 m, M 35-1: 2.1m) (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.10A).<br />
Postrainy preliminary varietal trial-1 (RPVT-1): A total of 57 new postrainy season adapted varieties were<br />
evaluated in RPVT-1 during the 2009 postrainy season in a three-replicated RCBD along with the checks 296B,<br />
M 35-1 and SPV 1411. Twenty-three varieties with grain yield ranging from 4.4 to 6.6 t ha -1 were numerically<br />
superior or comparable to the best performing check M 35-1 (4.4 t ha -1 ) for grain yield. Of these, five varieties<br />
(6.0 to 6.6 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior by 36 to 50% [trial mean: 4.1 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.5]. These varieties<br />
had a lustre score of 1.3 to 2.3 (M 35-1: 2.0, SPV 1411: 1.3), grain size (g 100 -1 grains) of 3.1 to 3.4 (M 35-1:<br />
3.0, SPV 1411: 3.4). They flowered in 73 to 80 days (M 35-1: 73 days, SPV 1411: 76 days) and had plant<br />
height of 2.2 to 2.5 m (M 35-1: 2.3 m, SPV 1411: 2.4 m) (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.10A).<br />
Postrainy preliminary varietal trial-2 (RPVT-2): A total of 83 new postrainy season adapted varieties were<br />
evaluated in RPVT-2 during the 2009 postrainy season in a three-replicated RCBD along with the checks CSV<br />
18R, M 35-1 and SPV 1411. Forty-one varieties with grain yield ranging from 2.8 to 5.2 t ha -1 were numerically<br />
superior or comparable to the check M 35-1 (2.8 t ha -1 ) for grain yield [trial mean: 2.8 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.7]. Of<br />
these, three varieties (4.6 to 5.2 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior by 64 to 86%. These varieties had a lustre<br />
score of 1.0 to 2.0 (M 35-1: 2.3, SPV 1411: 1.0), grain size (g 100 -1 grains) of 3.2 to 3.6 (M 35-1: 3.2, SPV<br />
1411: 3.8). They flowered in 76 to 78 days (M 35-1: 75 days, SPV 1411: 77 days) and had plant height of 1.8 to<br />
2.4 m (M 35-1: 2.1 m, SPV 1411: 2.4 m) (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.10A).<br />
Postrainy Advanced Varieties Trial (RAVT): A total of eight varieties released for cultivation in postrainy<br />
season were evaluated in a RAVT during the 2009 postrainy season. The trial was conducted in a RCBD with 3<br />
replications along with the checks CSH 18R and CSH 25. Compared to the hybrid check CSH 18R (4.5 t ha -1 ),<br />
six varieties were numerically superior by 4 to 24% or comparable to it [trial mean: 4.7 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.1].<br />
The grain size (g 100 -1 grains) of the lines varied from 3.1 to 3.7 (CSH 18R: 3.6). These lines flowered in 74 to<br />
80 days (CSH 18R: 81 days) and had plant height of 2.3 to 2.9m (CSH 18R: 2.6m). All the lines and the check<br />
had a grain luster score of 2 (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.10A).<br />
2. Hybrids performance<br />
Postrainy advanced hybrid trial (RAHT): Eight promising postrainy season adapted hybrids selected from<br />
advanced hybrid trial conducted during the 2008 postrainy season were evaluated in a three replicated RCBD<br />
during the 2009 postrainy season along with the checks, M 35-1, SPV 1411, CSH 18 and CSH 25. Two<br />
hybrids, ICSA 20 × ICSR 93009 (6.1 t ha -1 ) and ICSA 563 × ICSR 93030 (6.0 t ha -1 ), were and comparable to<br />
the best hybrid check CSH 18 (5.9 t ha -1 ) [trial mean: 2.6 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.2]. The grain size (g 100 -1 grains) in<br />
212
the two hybrids ranged from 3.3 to 3.4 (CSH 18: 3.7 g 100 -1 grain), grain lustre score was 2.0 (CSH 18: 2.0, M<br />
35-1: 2.0). They flowered in 73 days (CSH 18: 81 days) and the plant height ranged from 2.3 to 2.5 m (CSH 18:<br />
2.9 m) (HOPE Project Activity 2.4.6). The above parents of the two selected hybrids are the promising<br />
combiners.<br />
Postrainy preliminary hybrid trial (RPHT): Twenty-eight new postrainy season adapted hybrids were<br />
evaluated in a three replicated RCBD during the 2009 postrainy season along with the checks, M 35-1 and SPV<br />
1411. Compared to the best check SPV 1411 (4.1 t ha -1 ), six hybrids- ICSA 84 × SPV 1411 (5.9 t ha -1 ), ICSA<br />
88001 × M 35-1-19 (5.8 t ha -1 ), ICSA 675 × ICSV 700 (5.8 t ha -1 ), ICSA 502 × SPV 422 (5.6 t ha -1 ), ICSA 38<br />
× SPV 422 (5.4 t ha -1 ) and ICSA 88001 × IS 33844-5 (5.3 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior by 29 to 44%<br />
[trial mean: 3.2 t ha -1 , lsd (5%): 1.0]. The grain size (g 100 -1 grains) in the hybrids ranged from 3.2 to 4.0 (SPV<br />
1411: 3.5, M 35-1: 2.9), grain lustre score ranged from 1.0 to 2.0 (SPV 1411: 2.0, M 35-1: 2.7). They flowered<br />
in 69 to 75 days (SPV 1411: 75 days, M 35-1: 74 days) and the plant height ranged from 2.3 to 2.7 m (SPV<br />
1411: 2.3 m, M 35-1: 2.1 m) (HOPE Project Activity 2.4.6). The above parents of the six selected hybrids are<br />
the promising combiners.<br />
Belum VS Reddy<br />
Activity 5A.7.1: Developing dual-purpose foliar disease resistant forage/sweet sorghum hybrid parents.<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.1.1: Five new dual-purpose foliar disease resistant forage/sweet sorghum hybrid parents<br />
developed (PSR/BVSR, 2011)<br />
It is important to have resistance to foliar diseases in sweet sorghum genotypes to sustain the sugar yield and<br />
thereby extend the feedstock supplies to the distilleries. Hence, developing disease tolerant productive cultivars<br />
holds key to the success of ethanol/dairy industry.<br />
There are a series of trials that were conducted during the reporting period and are listed below.<br />
1. Screening of sweet sorghum B-lines for anthracnose resistance: A total of 95 sweet sorghum advanced<br />
B-lines were evaluated for anthracnose disease resistance reaction during the rainy season, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Anthracnose disease severity was recorded on a 1−9 scale (1=0 to
6. Sweet sorghum preliminary varietal trial (SSPVT-1): A total of 28 varieties selected from the sweet<br />
sorghum advanced progenies trial during the year of 2008 postrainy season, were evaluated in SSPVT<br />
during the 2009 postrainy season along with four checks, viz, CSH 22SS, SSV 84, JK Recova and Urja.<br />
The trial was conducted in RCBD with three replications. For sugar yield, seven varieties SP 08 16427<br />
(2.68 t ha -1 ), SP 08 16440 (2.5 t ha -1 ), SP 08 16447-2 (2.48 t ha -1 ), SP 08 16421-2 (2.4 t ha -1 ), SP 08 16447-<br />
1 (1.9 t ha -1 ), SP 08 16441 (1.76 t ha -1 ), SP 08 16439-1 (1.7 t ha -1 ) were numerically superior to the best<br />
performing check (SSV 84:1.39 t ha -1 ). Among the varieties, days to 50% flowering ranged from 59 to 78<br />
days (SSV 84: 63 days).The Brix % ranged from 8.7 to 17.8 % (SSV 84: 10.8 %), the stalk yield ranged<br />
from 21.7 to 42.9 t ha -1 (SSV 84: 29.49 t ha -1 ), and the grain yield ranged from 1.12 t ha -1 to 5.30 t ha -1<br />
(SSV 84: 3.07 t ha -1 ).<br />
7. Sweet sorghum preliminary varietal trial (SSPVT-2): A total of 160 varieties selected from sweet<br />
sorghum advanced progenies trial in postrainy 2009 were evaluated during the rainy season <strong>2010</strong> in RCBD<br />
with 3 replications along with five checks viz,CSH 22SS, Urja, SSV 84, JK Recova and RSSV 9 as checks.<br />
The sugar yield ranged from 0.2 to 1.9 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS and Urja: 1.0 t ha -1 ). A total of 96 entries had<br />
significantly superior sugar yield compared to the best performed check CSH 22SS (1.0 t ha -1 ). The highest<br />
sugar yield was recorded by line Ch-11 × SPV 422)-6-1-1-4 (1.9 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering ranged<br />
from 60 to 94 days (CSH 22SS and JK Recova: 73 days) and the genotype Ch-1 × (DSV 4 × SSV 84)-1-2-<br />
1-1)-2-1-4-4 was the earliest to flower (60 days).Among the evaluated lines, Brix% ranged from 13.7 to<br />
19.0% (Urja:16.8%).<br />
8. Sweet sorghum preliminary hybrid nursery (SSPHN-1): A total of 540 sweet sorghum hybrids were<br />
evaluated during the 2009 postrainy season along with four checks viz, CSH 22SS, ICSA 38 × ICSV 700,<br />
SSV 84 and ICSV 93046 in augmented block design. The sugar yield ranged from 0.08 t ha -1 to 2.32 t ha -1<br />
(ICSV 93046: 1.3 t ha -1 ). Among all the hybrids, the days to 50% flowering ranged from 57 to 85 days<br />
(SSV 84: 60 days). Stalk yield ranged from 2.6 to 22.0 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 6.4 t ha -1 ) and the Brix% ranged<br />
from 7.0 to 19.3 % (ICSV 93046:18%), while grain yield ranged from 0.2 t ha -1 to 8.6 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 7.8 t ha -1 ).<br />
9. Sweet sorghum preliminary hybrid trial (SSPHT-1): A total of 17 sweet sorghum preliminary hybrids<br />
were selected previously, were evaluated during the 2009 postrainy season along with one check CSH<br />
22SS in RCBD with three replications. The sugar yield ranged from 0.37 t ha -1 to 1.54 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS:<br />
0.79 t ha -1 ). The hybrids, ICSA 258 × SSV 84 (1.54 t ha -1 ), ICSA 321 × GD 65025 (1.29 t ha -1 ), ICSA 309<br />
× NTJ 2 (1.27 t ha -1 ), ICSA 702 × RSSV 9 (1.05 t ha -1 ), ICSA 480 × GD 65085 (0.98 t ha -1 ), ICSA 669 ×<br />
ICSV 96143 (0.94 t ha -1 ), ICSA 374 × GD 65004 (0.92 t ha -1 ), SP 97032A × RSSV9 (0.86 t ha -1 ), SP<br />
97038A × SPV422 (0.81 t ha -1 ) were superior to the best performing check CSH 2SS (0.79 t ha -1 ). Among<br />
the genotypes, days to 50% flowering ranged from 58 days to 69 days (CSH 22 SS 64 days. Among the<br />
genotypes, Brix % ranged from 11.6% to 16.5 % (CSH 22SS: 12.1 %) and the grain yield ranged from 0.1 t<br />
ha -1 to 6.9 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 5.6 t ha -1 ).<br />
10. Sweet sorghum preliminary hybrid trial (SSPHT-2): A total of 48 sweet sorghum hybrids obtained<br />
2009 postrainy season, were evaluated as PHT-1 in rainy season, <strong>2010</strong> in RCBD with 3 replications along<br />
with 2 checks viz, CSH 22SS and JK Recova. The hybrids had a wide range of variation for sugar yield (0.2<br />
to 2.0 t ha -1 ). Four hybrids, i.e., ICSA 25002 × ICSV 93046 (2.0 t ha -1 ), SP 97032A × RSSV 9 (1.9 t ha -1 ),<br />
ICSA SP 97030 × SPV 422 (1.9 t ha -1 ) and SP 97030 A × E 36-1 (1.9 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior to<br />
the best check CSH 22SS (1.8 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering ranged from 62 to 81 days (CSH 22SS:<br />
66 days). The hybrid ICSA SP 97038 x SPV 422 was the earliest to flower (62 days). Among the hybrids<br />
evaluated, Brix% ranged from 10.1% to 17.0% (CSH 22SS: 17%).<br />
11. Sweet sorghum preliminary hybrid trial (SSPHT-3): A total of 184 sweet sorghum hybrids obtained 2009 postrainy season,<br />
were evaluated as PHT-2 in rainy season <strong>2010</strong> in RCBD with 3 replications along with 2 checks CSH 22SS and JK Recova. In<br />
these hybrids sugar yield ranged from 0.3 t ha -1 to 2.5 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 2.0 t ha -1 ). Six hybrids, i.e., ICSA 474 × Ch 7 (2.5 t ha -1 );<br />
ICSA 319 × Ch 1 (2.4 t ha -1 ); ICSA 97046 × Ch 1 (2.2 t ha -1 ), ICSA 97034 × Ch 1 (2.0 t ha -1 ), ICSA 401 × Ch 7 (2.0 t ha -1 ) and<br />
ICSA 73 × Ch 7 (2.0 t ha -1 ) had significantly higher sugar yield compared to the best performing check CSH 22SS (2.0 t ha -1 ).<br />
The days to 50% flowering ranged between 58 and 82 days (JK Recova: 65 days). The hybrids ICSA 371 x Ch 7 and ICSA 514<br />
× Ch 11(58 days) flowered earliest.<br />
12. Sweet sorghum preliminary hybrid trial (SSPHT-4): A total of 120 sweet sorghum hybrids produced<br />
using non-Milo cytoplasmic male sterile lines (A2, A3 and A4)were evaluated in RCBD in 3 replications in<br />
during the rainy season, <strong>2010</strong> along with 2 checks CSH 22SS and JK Recova. In the hybrids sugar yield<br />
ranged from 0.4 to 1.5 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 1.2 t ha -1 ). Four hybrids i.e., ICSA 749 × SSV 84 (1.5 t ha-1);<br />
ICSA 716 × RSSV 9 (1.3 t ha -1 ), ICSA 731 × SP 4484-2 (1.2 t ha -1 ) and ICSA 731 × SP 4511-2 (1.2 t ha -1 )<br />
had significantly higher sugar yield compared to the best performing check CSH 22SS (1.2 t ha -1 ). The days<br />
to 50% flowering ranged from 68 to 121 days (JK Recova: 86 days). Plant height varied from 1.6 to 3.2 m<br />
(JK Recova: 3.1 m), while the Brix% ranged from 10.3 to 16.0% (JK Recova: 14.0%).<br />
214
13. Non-milo cytoplasmic sweet sorghum hybrid trial: A trial was constituted in rainy season <strong>2010</strong> using<br />
advanced non-milo cytoplasmic hybrids in RCBD design in 2 replications with 17 test hybrids the data was<br />
collected in 2 stages (dough stage and maturity stage). The self fertile standard checks CSH 22SS and Urja<br />
were used. In these hybrids, the sugar yield at maturity ranged from 0.5 to 2.8 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 2.0 t ha -1 ).<br />
ICSA 502 × ICSV 93046 recorded the highest sugar yield 2.8 t ha -1 , while the sugar yield at dough stage<br />
ranged from 0.1 to 2.9 t ha -1 (CSH 22SS: 2.9 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering ranged from 69 to 78 days<br />
(Urja: 72 days) and Brix% at maturity ranged from 15.5 to 20.0 % (Urja: 20.0%).<br />
14. Sweet sorghum sterile hybrid trial (SSSHT): A total of 13 sweet sorghum sterile hybrids were evaluated<br />
during the 2009 postrainy season along with two checks viz, SSV 84 and CSH 22SS. Six hybrids ICSA 749<br />
× SPV 1411 (1.8 t ha- 1 ), ICSA 749 × ICSV 93046 (1.5 t ha -1 ), ICSA 95 × AKSV 13 (1.4 t ha -1 ), ICSA 38 ×<br />
ICSV 93046 (1.4 t ha -1 ), ICSA 502 × ICSV 93046 and ICSA 731 × ICSV 93046 (1.2 t ha -1 ) were superior<br />
to the best performing check (CSH 22SS: 1.1 t ha -1 ). The days to 50 % flowering ranged between 61 and 79<br />
days (CSH 22 SS: 64 days) and the plant height ranged from 1.7 m to 2.9 m (CSH 22SS: 2.5m).<br />
15. Evaluation of sorghum B-lines for leaf blight resistance: A total of 119 advanced B-lines were evaluated<br />
for leaf blight disease resistance reaction during the rainy season, <strong>2010</strong>. Leaf blight disease severity was<br />
recorded on a 1-9 scale (1=0 to
4. Sweet sorghum multi-location trials for postrainy season adaptation : A multilocation sweet sorghum<br />
hybrid trial (MSSHT) consisting of 8 hybrids (ICSA 38 × ICSV 700, ICSA 675 × ICSV 700, ICSA 702 ×<br />
SSV 74, ICSA 724 × SSV 74, ICSA 675 × SSV 74, PAC 52093, JK Recova and CSH 22SS), a multilocation<br />
sweet sorghum varietal trial (MSSVT) consisting of 7 varieties (SPV 422, NTJ 2, SP 4487-3, SP 4511-3,<br />
Urja, PA 27 and SSV 84) were evaluated in a three-replicated RCBD design at 3 stages (flowering, dough<br />
and maturity) in three locations (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru, , ANGRAU-Nandyal and TCL-Nanded) during the<br />
2009 postrainy season. In MSSHT for postrainy season adaptation, the pooled ANOVA revealed significant<br />
differences among locations for all traits, and significant genotype x location interaction for stalk yield in the<br />
experiment conducted during the postrainy season, 2009. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru, the stalk yield decreased<br />
from flowering (28.64 t ha -1 ) to maturity (20.36 t ha -1 ), juice yield decreased from flowering (11.29 t ha -1 ) to<br />
maturity (5.96 t ha -1 ), Brix% increased from flowering (8.0 %) to maturity (17.6 %). But the sugar yield (t<br />
ha -1 ) [(Sugar yield = 0.75(Juice yield x Brix %/100)] was highest at flowering stage (0.96 t ha -1 ) followed by<br />
dough stage (0.86 t ha -1 ). The hybrid ICSA 675 × SSV 74 recorded the highest sugar yield at all the three<br />
stages. In MSSVT, the pooled ANOVA revealed significant differences among locations and genotypes for<br />
all the above traits and also revealed significant genotype × location interaction effect for stalk yield and<br />
grain yields in the experiment conducted during the postrainy season 2009. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>–Patancheru, the<br />
stalk yield decreased from flowering (28.64 t ha -1 ) to maturity (26.39 t ha -1 ), juice yield decreased from<br />
flowering (12.17 t ha -1 ) to maturity (10.50 t ha -1 ), and the Brix % increased from flowering (8.7 %) to maturity<br />
(15.1 %). The sugar yield was highest at flowering (1.07 t ha -1 ) followed by dough stage (0.87 t ha -1 ).<br />
5. Sweet sorghum multi-location trials for rainy season adaptation: A multi location sweet sorghum hybrid<br />
trial (MSSHT) consisting of 12 hybrids (ICSA 38 × ICSV 700, ICSA 675 × ICSV 700, ICSA 702 × SSV 74,<br />
ICSA 724 × SSV 74, ICSA 731 × ICSV 93046, ICSA 474 × SSV 74, ICSA 675 × SSV 74, PAC 52093, JK<br />
Recova, JKSSH 02, JKSSH 03 and CSH 22SS), a multilocation sweet sorghum varietal trial (MSSVT)<br />
consisting of 12 varieties (SPV 422, NTJ 2, SP 4487-3, SP4495, SP 4484-2, SP 4511-3, Urja, PA 27, RSSV<br />
106, RSSV 138, RSSV 167, RSSV 9 and SSV 84) were evaluated in a three-replicated RCBD design at three<br />
stages (flowering, dough and maturity) in four locations (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru, Praj industries-Pune,<br />
MPKV-Rahuri and TCL-Nanded) during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. In MSSHT for rainy season adaptation, the<br />
pooled ANOVA revealed significant differences among hybrids and locations for all the traits (stalk yield,<br />
juice yield, Brix%, bagasse yield, sugar yield and grain yield) in the experiment conducted during the rainy<br />
season, <strong>2010</strong>. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru, the sugar yield was highest at dough stage (2.67 t ha -1 ) followed by<br />
maturity (2.32 t ha -1 ). The hybrid ICSA 675 × SSV 74 was the highest sugar yielding hybrid at maturity. The<br />
stalk yield gradually declined from flowering (72.31 t ha -1 ) to dough (67.0 t ha -1 ) and maturity (58.4 t ha -1 ),<br />
while the Brix% sharply increased from flowering (7.5%) to dough (12.4%) and maturity (14.3 %). In<br />
MSSVT, the pooled ANOVA revealed significant differences among varieties and locations for all other<br />
traits (stalk yield, Brix%, sugar yield and grain yield) during the rainy season <strong>2010</strong>. The days to 50%<br />
flowering in the varieties ranged from 74 to 97 days (Urja: 80 days) and SP 4484-2 was the earliest to flower<br />
(75 days). The sugar yield was highest at dough stage (2.07 t ha -1 ) followed by maturity stage (1.7 t ha -1 ).<br />
PA-27 recorded consistently high sugar yield in all the three stages.<br />
6. Evaluation of four sweet stalk hybrids, two sweet stalk varieties along with control hybrid CSH 22SS each in<br />
farmers’ fields in the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season at Ibrahimbad cluster in Medak district, A.P, India. Evaluated four<br />
sweet stalk hybrids and two sweet stalk varieties along with control hybrid CSH 22 each in 3 farmers’ fields<br />
in the rainy season. Data were recorded on the agronomic traits and sweet stalk traits. The pathologists<br />
surveyed the experimental fields and recorded the foliar disease data. No foliar diseases appeared during the<br />
crop growth but severe grain mold incidence was observed at the time of harvesting, owing to heavy rains.<br />
Data analysis is under progress.<br />
7. Facilitating cultivation of sweet sorghum in large area (>50 acres) in farmers fields and enhancing the onfarm<br />
productivity. The sweet sorghum hybrid CSH 22SS was cultivated in more than 40 ha in Ibrahimbad<br />
village in Medak District. The use of treated seed supplied by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and following improved crop<br />
production practices helped the farmers to achieve on an average of 25 t ha -1 stalk yield and 1.0 t ha -1 grain<br />
yield during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
Elite sweet sorghum cultivars were evaluated under on-farm conditions for identification of promising<br />
cultivars for immediate commercialization. Use of improved seed along with adaptation of recommended<br />
agronomic practices results in increased stalk and grain yields under on-farm conditions. MLTs help identify<br />
stable cultivars like ICSA 675 X ICSV 700, ICSA 675 × SSV 74 and ICSA474 x SSV74 for rainy season<br />
adaptation and PA-27 and ICSA 675 × SSV 74 for postrainy season adaptation.<br />
P Srinivasa Rao, Belum VS Reddy,<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Ch Ravinder Reddy<br />
216
Milestone: 5A.7.1.2: Six new high-yielding sweet sorghum restorers identified (PSR/BVSR/HDU, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Sweet sorghum hybrids are found to be promising for commercialization owing to the heterosis for sugar yield<br />
and allied traits. Hence, it is essential to develop high Brix% containing restorer lines for developing high sugar<br />
yielding hybrids.<br />
The trials were conducted for postrainy and rainy season adaptation as given below.<br />
Postrainy season adaptation:<br />
1. Sweet sorghum advanced varietal and restorer lines trial (SSAVRT): A total of 40 varieties and restorer<br />
lines selected from the sweet sorghum preliminary varietal and restorer lines trial during the 2008 postrainy<br />
season, were evaluated as sweet sorghum advanced varietal and restorer lines trial in 2009 postrainy season<br />
along with the four checks viz, Urja, SSV 84, CSH 22SS and JK Recova. The trial was conducted in RCBD with<br />
three replications. Thirty lines were superior to the best performing check Urja (1.57 t ha -1 ) for sugar yield. The<br />
sugar yield ranged from 0.88 t ha -1 to 2.73 t ha -1 (Urja: 1.57 t ha -1 ), days to 50% flowering from 59 to 77 days<br />
(Urja: 77 days) and Brix% from 7.0 to 14.0% (Urja: 11.5%).<br />
2. Sweet sorghum elite varietal and restorer’s trial (SSEVRT): A trial consisting of 30 elite sweet sorghum<br />
varieties and restorers selected previously was evaluated during the rainy season, <strong>2010</strong> in RCBD with 3<br />
replications along with 2 checks Urja and RSSV 9. In SSEVRT, sugar yield ranged from 1.2 to 2.8 t ha -1 (Urja:<br />
2.2 t ha -1 ). Ten entries had significantly higher sugar yield over the best performing check Urja (2.2 t ha -1 ). The<br />
days to 50% flowering ranged from 64 to 88 days (Urja: 68 days). Plant height ranged from 2.8 to 3.5 m (RSSV<br />
9: 3.3 m), grain yield in the genotypes from 0.3 to 1.0 t ha -1 (RSSV 9: 0.8 t ha -1 ) and Brix% from 11.9 to 17.9%<br />
(Urja: 17.9%). The top five high sugar-yielding entries were SP 08 2035-2, (2.8 t ha -1 ); SP 08 2044-3 (2.6 t ha -1 );<br />
SP 08 2017-3 (2.6 t ha -1 ); SP 08 1045-1 (2.6 t ha -1 ) and SP 08 2002-2 (2.6 t ha -1 ).<br />
Rainy season adaptation:<br />
1. Sweet sorghum advanced varietal and restorer lines trial (SSAVRT): A total of 18 advanced sweet sorghum varieties and restorers<br />
lines selected from sweet sorghum preliminary varietal trial in 2009 rainy season, were evaluated during the rainy season, <strong>2010</strong> along with<br />
two checks, i.e., Urja and RSSV 9 in RCBD with 3 replications. In SSAVRT, sugar yield ranged from 0.4 to 1.4 t ha -1 (RSSV 9: 0.8 t ha -1 ).<br />
Ten lines had significantly superior sugar yield compared to the best check RSSV 9 (0.8 t ha -1 ). There was a wide range of variation for days<br />
to 50% flowering (57-101 days) Ch 13 with 57 days to flower was the earliest (Urja: 69 days). Plant height ranged from 3.4 to 2.2 m (Urja:<br />
3.2 m) while the Brix% at maturity ranged from 11.1 to 18.3% (Urja: 17.5%).<br />
P Srinivasa Rao and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Output target 5A. 8: Stay-green QTLs associated with improved fodder quality introgressed into elite<br />
sorghum hybrid parents and their potential utility assessed (<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Activity 5A. 8.1: Mapping and introgression of stay-green QTL into elite parental lines, and assessment of<br />
their effects on hybrid performance<br />
Milestone 5B.8.1.1: Assessment of near-isogenic BC 3 F 3 and BC 4 F 3 stay-green QTL introgression lines<br />
completed in R16 and ISIAP Dorado backgrounds (CTH/SPD/VV/FRB, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Staygreen has, so far, been the best characterized trait conferring drought adaptation in sorghum. However, the<br />
mechanisms underlying the expression of staygreen remain quite unclear. Among the different hypotheses,<br />
differences in rooting, or in the pattern of water use, could explain the expression of staygreen during the postflowering<br />
terminal drought stress. Alternatively, differences in water use efficiency in staygreen lines could<br />
explain a slower water use and therefore would leave water available for the late stages of plant growth,<br />
allowing staygreen phenotypic expression.<br />
Materials were tested in a lysimetric system (2.0 m long and 25 cm diameter tubes filled with alfisol) under<br />
terminal water stress and fully irrigated conditions (see detailed description in http://www.icrisat.org/bt-rootresearch.htm.<br />
Water stress was imposed by providing a last irrigation at 5 weeks after sowing (+2L at 74 days<br />
after sowing) and compared to a fully irrigated control. Twenty nine introgression lines (IL) developed with<br />
Stg1, Stg2, Stg3, Stg4, StgA, and StgB QTL in S35 background, and sixteen IL developed with Stg1, Stg3, Stg4,<br />
and StgB QTL in R16 background were tested.<br />
Differences in tillering and leaf area at anthesis, transpiration efficiency (TE), water extraction, harvest index<br />
(HI) and yield under both terminal drought and fully irrigated conditions were assessed Stg B increased<br />
217
anspiration efficiency in the R16 background, whereas there was no effect in the S35 background. Stg1<br />
increased water extraction in the S35 background, whereas there was no effect in the R16 background. Stg1<br />
modified the proportion of water extracted before and after anthesis in both backgrounds, while StgB did so in<br />
S35 only. While tillering and leaf area at anthesis were decreased by Stg1, Stg2, and Stg3 in the S35 background,<br />
there was no such effect in R16. By contrast, yield data showed higher tiller grain yield in Stg1, Stg2, and Stg3<br />
ILs. Stay-green IL in the R16 background also had higher tiller yield than R16, except Stg3 IL, but less so than<br />
in S35. While yield differences were mostly explained by harvest index (HI), the substantial yield variation<br />
unexplained by HI was closely related to TE in the S35 background (R 2 = 0.29), and more so in the R16<br />
background (R 2 = 0.50), and closely related to total water extracted in S35 background (R 2 = 0.41), but not in<br />
the R16 background.<br />
Figure 7. Relationship between seed yield under terminal drought stress (DS) and the harvest index (HI)<br />
(a), relationship between the residual yield variations unexplained by HI (Res Yield not expl. HI) and<br />
transpiration efficiency (TE) (b), and relationship between the residual yield variations unexplained by<br />
HI and the total water extracted from the soil profile (c) in S35 (closed symbols) and R16 (open symbols)<br />
background. Data are the mean of 3 replicated lysimeter-grown plants per genotype<br />
These results indicate the potential of several stay-green QTL to affect traits related to plant water use and<br />
capture. It also shows very clearly that these effects depend more on the interaction between genetic background<br />
and QTL rather than on specific QTL.<br />
Output target 5A.9: Commercialization of sorghum grains and impact of improved germplasm enhanced.<br />
Milestone 5A.9.1.1.1: Hybrid parents (>50) and other breeding materials (>100) supplied to NARS and their<br />
impact assessed (BVSR/sorghum team—annual)<br />
Apart from developing improved hybrid parents, transferring them to the private sector seed companies and to<br />
the scientists in public sector organizations is of paramount importance to have the products reach the farmers<br />
in various countries. Towards this, we expose the materials available through field days. Also, partnering with<br />
national programs in project implementation leads to enhanced skills and impacts.<br />
Field days, seed supplies on requests and partnership trials are the major methods employed.<br />
A. Scientists field days<br />
1. Sorghum scientists field day for postrainy season was organized at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru on 18 January<br />
<strong>2010</strong> for the first time to show the postrainy adapted material to the participating scientists. A total of 33<br />
scientists from public and private sectors (13 public sector, 8 private sector and 12 from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>) participated<br />
in the program. Main focus was on research for postrainy season adaptation. Main suggestions were: 1.<br />
diversifying the breeding material with germplasm lines from Ethiopia and Yemen, and Muskwari sorghums. 2.<br />
218
postrainy season adapted dual-purpose sorghum material should be developed. 3. Postrainy season adapted<br />
sweet sorghum material should be developed.<br />
2. Sorghum scientists field day for rainy season was organized at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru on 6 and 7 October<br />
<strong>2010</strong> to showcase the depth and variability in the sorghum material bred for various traits with rainy season<br />
adaptation. Thirty scientists from the public sector, 11 from the private sector and 3 international training<br />
participants joined the program. Main focus was on research for rainy season adaptation.<br />
B. Seed supplies<br />
A total of 3275 seed samples of hybrid seed parents/breeding lines were sent to 21 countries. India received<br />
2375 samples, followed by Nigeria (160 samples). Of the 2375 samples supplied in India, 888 samples were<br />
sent to public sector scientists, 1380 samples to private sector scientists and the remaining 107 samples to<br />
farmers and NGOs. Breeder seed of ICSA38 (6 kg), SSV 84 (2 kg), ICSV 93046 (12 kg) and ICSV 25274 (12<br />
kg) was supplied for further multiplication by NARS partners. Nucleus seed of ICSV 745 (2 kg); CSV 13 (3 kg)<br />
and MR 750 (2 kg) was supplied to NARS. Seed in bulk quantities (218 kg) of 12 high yielding/released<br />
cultivars each 2 to 30 kg was supplied to 61 farmers. A total of 438 kg (12 cultivars - 5 to 151 kg each)<br />
sorghum seed was supplied for watershed and on farm experiments.<br />
During the field days in 2009 postrainy season, 548 lines were selected by two public sector and five private<br />
sector scientists and in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 1189 samples were selected by seven public sector and seven private<br />
sector scientists.<br />
Fourteen sets of sweet sorghum trials consisting of 302 entries were sent to Thailand (one set), Philippines (2<br />
sets), and India (11 sets).<br />
C. Partnership trials and nurseries<br />
Trials and nurseries: Fourteen sets of sweet stalk trials consisting of 423 entries (each nursery ranging from 10<br />
-90) were sent for evaluation in India, Philippines, Israel, Mexico, Mozambique and Mali. Seed of sweet<br />
sorghum varieties (2) and hybrids (2) along with parental lines was multiplied and sent to Directorate of<br />
Sorghum Research (DSR), Hyderabad, India, for testing at the All India Coordinated Sorghum Improvement<br />
Project (AICSIP) locations in the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season.<br />
Biofuel research collaboration: Under the IFAD-funded Biofuels project an on-farm breeding trial (discussed<br />
under Milestone 5A.7.1.1) and multilocation trials of hybrids, varieties and maintainer lines (discussed under<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.2) was conducted. A trial on ratoonability of sweet sorghum genotypes is being conducted in<br />
collaboration with Advanta Seeds Pvt Ltd to improve the harvesting window of raw material supply to<br />
distilleries. Nine promising sweet sorghum and grain sorghum genotypes were evaluated in a ratoonability trial<br />
during the 2009 rainy season. In the main crop, two sweet sorghum hybrids ICSA 731 × ICSV 93046 (1.1 t ha -1 )<br />
and CSH 22SS (1.0 t ha -1 ) and a sweet sorghum variety ICSV 93046 (1.0 t ha -1 ) were significantly superior<br />
compared to the check (SSV 84).<br />
Tropical sugar beet trial: A trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of four sugar beet entries (604,<br />
629, 824 and Green as checks), received from Syngenta India Ltd., Pune, India, during the postrainy season,<br />
2009 in RCBD with three replications in two environments (alfisols and vertisols). In alfisols, the sugar beet<br />
yield ranged from 21.7 t ha -1 to 26.0 t ha -1 (Green: 22.91 t ha -1 ). The highest beet yield was recorded by 809<br />
(26.0 t ha -1 ) and the Brix% ranged from 21.6% to 23.6% (Green: 23.6 %). In vertisols, the sugar beet yield<br />
ranged from 32.9 t ha -1 to 41.6 t ha -1 (Green: 33.0 t ha -1 ) and the Brix% ranged from 20.7 to 22.9% (Green:<br />
22.9 %). The mean sugar beet yields in vertisols (36.1 t ha -1 ) was significantly higher compared to that in the<br />
alfisols (24.0 t ha -1 ). This is probably due to high moisture holding capacity of black cotton soils (vertisols).<br />
D. Impacts<br />
1. Case study of JKSH 22:<br />
The initial survey for the Case Study on JKSH 22 (Sorghum Hybrid; parent material from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>) has been<br />
conducted for traders and farmers group in Maharashtra during the rainy season <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
• Farmers Group<br />
Seventeen farmers were interviewed. Ninety four percent claimed that JKSH 22 has good yield performance.<br />
Specific qualities shown by JKSH 22 are: non-lodging (71%), drought resistance (29%), good fodder<br />
quality (12%) and short duration (12%). Income earned by growing JKSH22 has been beneficial for an<br />
array of household activities such as family function (i.e. marriage) – 100%, agriculture-related – 94%,<br />
children’s education – 76%, house construction – 65%, and social/religious donations -12%.<br />
219
• Distributor, Dealers, and Retailers Group<br />
One major distributor and five dealers were interviewed. The sole distributor handles about 35 tonnes of<br />
JKSH 22 per season and has 250 dealers in his network. He claimed that JKSH 22 will continue it’s grip in<br />
the market for many more years because of its good quality. The five dealers, on the other hand, have at<br />
least 30-35 retailers per dealer. In some cases, dealers were also retailers. The range of farmers served by<br />
dealer was from 1,000- 4,000 with most having 2,000. Dealers and retailers alike claimed that JKSH 22 is<br />
high yielding which explains its persistence in the market.<br />
2. HOPE project:<br />
The improved postrainy season adapted sorghum varieties (Parbhani Moti, Phule Vasudha, Phule Chitra and<br />
Phule Yasodha) were grown in an area of 2760 ha by 6900 farmers. By adoption of improved postrainy<br />
season production technologies, the average grain yield increased by 54% and fodder yield by 30%.<br />
Belum VS Reddy, A Ashok Kumar, P Srinivasa Rao,<br />
Ch Ravinder Reddy and Rosana Mula<br />
Milestone 5A.9.1.2: Ten sorghum scientists trained biannually (BVSR/sorghum team—alternate year)<br />
Improving the capacity or the knowledge or skills of the national breeders in crop improvement is one of the<br />
components that contribute to enhanced impact on the farmer’s fields.<br />
Both on-hand practical training in the field on various crop improvement operations along with class room<br />
lectures on the theory were followed and the experienced scientists were roped into provide the needed<br />
interaction. Also reading materials were supplied.<br />
A. NARS Scientists<br />
Mr. Yousuf from Egypt was trained on sorghum hybrid production and improvement from 13 September to 12<br />
November <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
A training program on “Sorghum hybrid parents and hybrids development and production” was conducted at<br />
IAR, Abu, Zaria, Nigeria, from 16-20 August <strong>2010</strong>. About 73 participants from six countries (Senegal, Niger,<br />
Mali, Nigeria, Ghana and Burkina Faso) participated in the training program which included 5 female<br />
participants. Most of the participants were seed production/ certification officers, sorghum breeders/scientists,<br />
and Associate Directors of seed production of the public sector or from private sector. The training program<br />
included 12 lectures, one group discussion on seed sales and marketing and updates on sorghum breeding<br />
approach and status in various WCA countries (by individual country breeders) and hands-on training in the<br />
maintenance of seed parents and varieties/restorers, breeding hybrid parental lines, hybrid production on small<br />
and large scales, selection criteria, and formation and setting of breeding objectives and programs.<br />
B. Farmers and partners in special projects<br />
IFAD Project:<br />
Training program title<br />
No. of<br />
programs<br />
1 On-farm : Improved crop production technologies 15 220<br />
2 Best bet practices 1 15<br />
3 On-station: Improved crop production technologies 2 50<br />
4 Multilocation trials 2 12<br />
Total 20 297<br />
S.No.<br />
No. of<br />
participants<br />
CFC Project:<br />
S.No.<br />
Training program title<br />
No. of<br />
No. of<br />
programs participants<br />
1 On-farm : Improved crop production technologies 47 456<br />
2 Best bet practices 3 85<br />
3 On-station: Improved crop production technologies 15 437<br />
4 Project activities awareness programs 3 216<br />
5 DCU operation and management program 2 36<br />
Total 70 1230<br />
220
NAIP Project:<br />
S.No.<br />
Training program title<br />
No. of<br />
programs<br />
No. of<br />
participants<br />
1 On-farm : Improved crop production technologies<br />
2 Field day :Best bet practices 1 45<br />
3 DCU operation and management 1 15<br />
4 Project activities awareness programs in new villages 6 114<br />
5 Soil health management; importance of micronutrients 2 56<br />
in crop productivity<br />
6 Demonstration of seed-cum fertilizer drill 3 43<br />
7 Demonstration of leaf stripper 1 12<br />
8 Projection of video film on sweet sorghum crop 2 67<br />
production and DCU syrup production practices<br />
9 Farm Implements for Mechanizing Small Farms 1 30<br />
Total 17 382<br />
HOPE project:<br />
Sr. No.<br />
Training program title<br />
No. of<br />
No. of<br />
programs participants<br />
1 Training on Improved crop production technologies of 30 600<br />
postrainy sorghum<br />
2 Training on Seed treatment and IPM 30 300<br />
3 Soil health management; importance of micronutrients 6 150<br />
in crop productivity (Soil sample collection)<br />
4 Field day :Best bet practices (INM, IPM & IDM) 6 3000<br />
5 Women farmers rally 2 200<br />
6 Demonstration of seed-cum fertilizer drill 6 180<br />
7 Training on good business practices 6 250<br />
8 Training on Sorghum Seed Production, Storage and 4 480<br />
marketing (farmers, KVK & SAU Staff)<br />
9 Training to female farmers on alternate uses of 2 50<br />
sorghum<br />
10 Training on Self seed collection of rabi Sorghum 30 1500<br />
Total 122 6110<br />
Belum VS Reddy, A Ashok Kumar,<br />
P Srinivasa Rao and Ch Ravinder Reddy<br />
II. Pearl millet<br />
Output target 5A.1: Genetically diverse, high-yielding and downy mildew (DM) resistant pearl millet<br />
parental lines of potential grain hybrids (at least 9 each of seed parents and restorer parents) developed<br />
annually during 2006-2011<br />
Activity 5A 1.1: Develop and characterize regionally adapted high-yielding and DM resistant hybrid parents<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.1: Diverse range of high-yielding and DM resistant seed parents and restorer parents<br />
developed (SKG/KNR/RPT/RS)<br />
Seed parents with high grain yield potential and downy mildew resistance are developed every year for use by<br />
the public and private sector. In <strong>2010</strong>, nine male sterile lines (A-lines) of diverse parentage and morphological<br />
traits (flowering, plant height, panicle length and 1000-grain weight) were developed. Of these, 2 A-lines were<br />
in A 1, 4 in A 4 , 2 in A 5 cytoplasmic background. One A- line was in both A 4 and A 5 cytoplasmic background. All<br />
these lines were highly resistant to at least two of the five diverse pathotypes of downy mildew (≤10% disease<br />
incidence) under high disease pressure in greenhouse inoculation test (> 95 % disease incidence in the<br />
susceptible check 7042S). ICMB 10444, 10555, 10888, 10999 were found resistant to all the five pathotypes;<br />
while ICMB 10222, 10666, 10777 were found resistant to any of the four pathotypes; ICMB 10111 to three<br />
pathotypes and ICMB 10333 was found resistant to two DM pathotypes. In addition, 367 B-lines (BC 1 to BC 10<br />
generation) were evaluated in different cytoplasmic backgrounds (110 A 1 , 172 A 4 and 265 A 5 cytoplasm) and<br />
221
358 lines were selected: 81 in A 1 cytoplasm, 127 in A 4 cytoplasm and 214 in A 5 cytoplasm for further evaluation<br />
and conversion into A-lines.<br />
An equally important program of restorer line development runs parallel to the seed parents program to develop<br />
diverse, DM resistant and high-yielding restorer lines. Nine restorer lines (R-lines) of diverse origin with<br />
desirable agronomic traits (flowering, plant height, panicle length and 1000- grain weight) and resistant to at<br />
least two of the five DM pathotypes were developed. ICMR 10444 and ICMR 10777 showed resistant to all five<br />
pathotypes, while other lines were resistant to 3-4 pathotypes. Five lines were restorers of the A 1 CMS system,<br />
while two lines were restorers of the A 4 CMS system and 2 were restorers on both A 1 and A 4 CMS system.<br />
SK Gupta, KN Rai, RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.2: Seed parents and restorer parents adapted to arid zone developed<br />
For arid zone, seed/restorer parent progenies are bred with traits like early maturity, high tillering, stay-green<br />
with high yield potential and DM resistance. In this direction, a nursery of 89 early-maturing progenies was<br />
evaluated in rainy season <strong>2010</strong>, of which 48 progenies were selected. Of these, 10 flowered in < 40 days<br />
(control 843B flowered in 36 days). In other nursery of early B-lines, 58 progenies were evaluated in rainy<br />
season <strong>2010</strong> of which 19 were selected, of which 14 flowered in < 45 days. Ninety one advanced progenies (S 5 -S 8 )<br />
derived from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-CAZRI-B–Composite (ICCZBC) were evaluated in 6 drought nurseries during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
summer season, of which 48 were selected, with 11 of these flowering in 14g. To generate long<br />
panicled progenies, 58 advanced seed parent progenies (F 8 -F 10 /S 8 ) were selected on the basis of panicle length<br />
and other agronomic traits from 90 progenies evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, of which, 3 progenies had<br />
panicle length of 41-45 cm; 9 had panicle length of 36-40 cm and 8 progenies had 31-35 cm panicle length<br />
(check ICMB 05888 recorded panicle length of 41cm). In other seed parent nursery of 20 advanced progenies<br />
222
evaluated during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 9 progenies were selected for long panicles based on visual and agronomic<br />
score. Two of the selected progenies flowered in 46-50 days; 2 progenies flowered in 51-55 days and 5<br />
progenies flowered in 56-60 days.<br />
In restorer breeding program 354 long-panicled progenies (F 4 -F 10 / S 9 -S 10 ) involving parental lines RCB-2,<br />
ICMS 7704, R1B 3135-18 and Zongo were evaluated in 7 nurseries, of which, 151 were selected based on long<br />
panicles and visual agronomic score. Seven of these selected progenies had panicle length of more than 50 cm<br />
and 25 progenies had panicle length of 41-50 cm. To develop white-seeded pearl millet cultivars, we evaluated<br />
43 white-seeded F 5 progenies during rainy season of <strong>2010</strong> and selected 19 progenies based on white seed color<br />
and agronomic score, of which 9 flowered in < 50 days. To expand this program further, we evaluated 11 newly<br />
developed F 2 s during the rainy season <strong>2010</strong> and selected 9 F 2 s for further advancement. To identify high<br />
biomass lines, based on 2009 summer and <strong>2010</strong> rainy season evaluation, 18 accessions (procured from Genetic<br />
Resources Unit) were identified based on their high dry biomass yield at 80 days after sowing.<br />
SK Gupta, KN Rai, HD Upadhyaya, RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Milestone 5A.2.1.2: Genetically diverse trait-specific (eg. large seed, large panicle size, diverse maturity and<br />
height) advanced breeding lines developed and disseminated (2006, 2008, <strong>2010</strong>, and 2012) (KNR/SKG/RPT/RS)<br />
Keeping into consideration the trait specific requirements of different agro-regions, improved breeding lines are<br />
developed continuously in the hybrid breeding program. Besides grain yield potential, flowering time, DM<br />
resistance and overall agronomic performance are the prime criteria for selection and advancement of breeding<br />
material. Results of large-seeded and long-panicle trait-specific breeding lines have been reported under<br />
milestone 5A.2.1.1.<br />
Trait-Specific seed parent progenies: About 850 breeding lines were evaluated in different trait-specific<br />
nurseries in rainy season of <strong>2010</strong>. For early maturity a nursery of 89 early-maturing progenies was evaluated, of<br />
which 48 progenies were selected. Of these, 35 flowered in < 45 days, similar to the control (843B flowered in<br />
36 days). In another nursery of early B-lines, 58 progenies were evaluated of which 19 were selected, of them<br />
14 flowered in < 45 days. A nursery comprising of 81 thick-panicled progenies (F 5 ) was evaluated and selected<br />
29 superior lines. Of these, 11 progenies flowered in 46-55 days, while 18 flowered in 56-65 days (ICMB 01333<br />
flowered in 60 days). In another nursery, 120 thick-panicled F 3 progenies were evaluated, of which 48 progenies<br />
were selected that flowered in 41-55 days. For stay-green trait, 26 progenies were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
summer season in drought nursery, of which 5 progenies with stay-green trait were selected, of which 5<br />
flowered in 46-50 days (ICMB 89111 flowered in 43 days). In a nursery of promising stay-green breeding<br />
material, 114 progenies were evaluated, of which 42 progenies were selected based on overall agronomic score<br />
and stay-green trait. All these flowered in 41-50 days (ICMB 00999 flowered in 48 days). A nursery of 128 F 7<br />
bristled and dwarf progenies were evaluated, of which 52 progenies with good agronomic score and bristled<br />
panicle were selected. One hundred and ninety-nine advanced (F 8 ) d 2 dwarf progenies (45-80 cm) were<br />
evaluated and 50 progenies were selected based on agronomic score. To introduce compactness, twenty-two<br />
progenies with very compact panicle were selected from various nurseries evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy<br />
season, of which, 13 were found agronomically good.<br />
Trait-Specific restorer progenies: Seven thick-panicled progenies (S 6 /F 5 ) selected on the basis of multi-season<br />
data were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, of which 5 progenies were selected based on agronomic score<br />
and thick panicle. In search for superior donors for panicle compactness, 17 progenies (S 5 -S 9 / F 4 -F 5 ) were<br />
evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, of which 11 progenies were selected based on agronomic score and<br />
panicle compactness.<br />
In addition, 282 progenies were evaluated for adaptation–specific characteristics; 131 progenies (F 5 -F 7 ) in the A 5 cytoplasmic<br />
background and having A 5 restorer gene(s); 52 iniari type progenies (S 8 -S 8 ); 83 population derived progenies; 122 potential R-lines<br />
and 216 elite restorer lines were evaluated and selections made in rainy <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
To disseminate promising materials to national programs, Scientists Field Day was organized on 30th<br />
September-1st October, <strong>2010</strong> at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru where 16 participants from public sector and 19<br />
participants from Consortium Seed companies participated.<br />
SK Gupta, KN Rai, RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
223
Milestone 5A.2.1.3: An elite B-composite and an elite R-composite with resistance to multiple pathotypes of<br />
downy mildew populations developed (2009) (SKG/KNR/RPT/RS)<br />
Eleven potential restorers highly resistant (≤10% disease incidence under high disease pressure in the<br />
greenhouse) to five diverse pathotypes (Banaskantha, Barmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur and Jalna) and four potential<br />
restorers highly resistant to any four of these five pathotypes had undergone two cycles of random mating in<br />
2008. Third and final random mating in this material was done in summer season of 2009, after which selected<br />
plants were bulked to finally develop Multiple Downy Mildew Resistant Restorer composite (MDMRRC). The<br />
MDMRRC was distributed to 5 NARS partners for utilization in rainy season of <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Nineteen lines with high levels of DM resistance had undergone two cycles of intermating in 2009 to constitute<br />
Multiple Downy Mildew Resistant B – composite (MDMRBC). This material had undergone third cycle of<br />
random mating in summer of <strong>2010</strong> and MDMRBC was constituted. One hundred and twenty nine half-sibs were<br />
selected and evaluated in rainy season <strong>2010</strong>, of which 50 were selected of which 4 S 1s flowered in < 45 days<br />
while rest of 46 S 1s flowered in 41-50 days. The seed of this composite is now available for distribution for<br />
testing in different agro-ecologies.<br />
SK Gupta, KN Rai, RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Output target 5A.3: Morphological and molecular diversity of more than 150 elite inbred lines of pearl<br />
millet assessed and the relationship between diversity and yield heterosis demonstrated (2009)<br />
Activity 5A 3.1: Evaluate parental lines, advanced breeding lines and their hybrids for grain yield, and<br />
morphological and molecular diversity<br />
Milestone 5A.3.1.1: Designated seed parents and restorer lines characterized for DUS traits and molecular<br />
diversity (2008) (SKG/KNR/RV)<br />
Designated seed parents were characterized and the information has been documented in “Morphological<br />
Characteristics of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred Pearl Millet Hybrid Seed Parents”, a 176 page book available on-line at<br />
(http://www.icrisat.org/what-we-do/publications/digital-publications/icrisat-publications-<strong>2010</strong>/morphological-<br />
Pearlmillet.pdf).<br />
Restorer lines have been characterized and document “Characterization of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred Pollinator Parents of<br />
Pearl Millet” has been drafted. Pollinator lines were photographed in rainy season <strong>2010</strong> for documenting this<br />
information in 2011.<br />
SK Gupta and KN Rai<br />
Milestone 5A.3.1.2: Selected hybrid parents and advanced breeding lines characterized for morphological and<br />
molecular diversity, and yield heterosis (2009), (KNR/SKG/RV)<br />
A trial designated as SET-I, consisting of 22 hybrids developed on the basis of molecular diversity between<br />
designated seed and restorer parents and previously evaluated in rainy season 2008 were evaluated along with<br />
their parental lines in summer season of <strong>2010</strong> in a RCBD with three replications, with hybrids and parental lines<br />
planted side-by-side as the blocks in each replication. Also, other trial designated as SET-II, consisting of 29<br />
hybrids generated on the basis of molecular diversity between promising seed and restorer parents and<br />
previously evaluated in rainy season 2009 wasre-evaluated in summer season <strong>2010</strong> on the same basis as<br />
mentioned for SET-I. Data for grain and stover yield and component traits were recorded for both the sets. The<br />
data are under analysis. The parental lines involved in generation of hybrids for both the sets have been<br />
genotyped using DART markers to provide molecular diversity–index based on a larger genomic data.<br />
SK Gupta and KN Rai<br />
Milestone 5A.3.1.3: Two medium-maturity heterotic gene pools based on molecular marker diversity<br />
constituted (2012) (SKG/KNR/SC/RV)<br />
The results from milestone 5A.3.1.2 will determine the approach for developing the heterotic gene-pools.<br />
SK Gupta and KN Rai<br />
224
Output target 5A.4: QTLs for downy mildew resistance in pearl millet identified, compared to those<br />
previously detected, and their effect on DM resistance assessed (2008)<br />
Activity 5A.4.1: Development of mapping populations and QTL mapping of DM resistance<br />
Milestone 5A.4.1.1: QTL mapping based on F 6 RILs and F 2:4 progenies from two crosses completed and results<br />
compared (CTH/SS/RPT/RS, 2008)<br />
Milestone 5A.4.1.2: Genetically diverse parents of mapping populations identified and crossed to generate F 6<br />
RILs (CTH/KNR/RPT/RS, 2007)<br />
Activity 5A.4.2: Map-directed conventional backcrossing and marker-assisted backcrossing of DM resistance<br />
QTLs into parental lines of hybrids<br />
Milestone 5A.4.2.1: Ten major QTL imparting resistance against specific DM pathtypes identified<br />
(CTH/RPT/RS, 2007)<br />
Milestone 5A.4.2.2: Near-isogenic lines containing different DM resistance genes (QTL) developed<br />
(RPT/RS/CTH, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Milestone 5A.4.2.3: QTL with known effects against diverse pathotypes pyramided in 843B and other parental<br />
lines and their resistance levels determined (CTH/RPT/RS, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Milestone 5A.4.2.4: Several different single-QTL introgression homozygotes available in genetic backgrounds<br />
of two elite seed parents (CTH/RPT/RS, 2007)<br />
Milestone 5A.4.2.5: Several different multiple-QTL introgression homozygotes available in genetic<br />
backgrounds of an elite restorer line and three diverse elite seed parents (CTH/TN/SS/RPT/RS, 2009)<br />
Output target 5A.5: Virulence changes in pearl millet DM pathogen populations determined (2009)<br />
Activity 5A.5.1: Conduct field and laboratory studies to monitor the nature of virulence change in DM<br />
pathogen populations<br />
Milestone 5A.5.1.1: Ten to fifteen DM isolates each from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh<br />
characterized for pathogenicity and virulence (RPT/RS/KNR/RB, 2008)<br />
Isolates of Sclerospora graminicola, the pearl millet downy mildew (DM) pathogen, collected from highly<br />
susceptible pearl millet hybrids during on-farm surveys in different states of India are characterized for<br />
pathogenic variation to monitor virulence change in the pathogen population. Highly virulent isolates thus<br />
identified from different states are used for screening germplasm and breeding lines for identifying new sources<br />
of resistance and developing DM-resistant hybrid parental lines and hybrids.<br />
Virulence diversity was studied in S. graminicola populations (70 isolates) collected from four Indian states<br />
(Maharashtra- 13; Rajasthan- 22; Gujarat- 14; and Uttar Pradesh-21). Pathogenic variation was studied by their<br />
reaction on seven host differential lines (P 7-4, P310-17, 700651, 7042R, 852B, IP 18292 and IP 18293) in the<br />
greenhouse. For this, pot-grown seedlings of pearl millet lines were spray-inoculated at the coleoptile stage with<br />
sporangial suspensions of the test isolates. The inoculated seedlings were incubated at 20ºC and >90% RH for<br />
20 h, and then transferred to a greenhouse bench at 25 ºC under misting (leaf wetness) for disease development.<br />
Downy mildew incidence was recorded 14 days after inoculation as percent infected plants.<br />
Significant variation was observed for downy mildew incidence among the test isolates. Pathogen populations from Uttar Pradesh were<br />
found most aggressive with a mean 70% DM incidence by the isolates across seven differentials followed by Gujarat 47%, Rajasthan 37%<br />
and Maharashtra 26%. Pathogen isolates virulent on all the seven differentials were also maximum from Uttar Pradesh (62%) followed by<br />
Gujarat (50%) and Rajasthan (36) and minimum from Maharashtra (8%). Isolate Sg 507 from Uttar Pradesh was most virulent (96% mean<br />
DM); whereas, Sg 021 from Maharashtra and Sg 468 from Rajasthan were least virulent with 5% mean DM across differentials. Based on<br />
virulence diversity study, Sg 492 from Aligarh and Sg 510 from Badaun in Uttar Pradesh; Sg 445 from Banaskantha in Gujarat; Sg 457<br />
from Jaipur in Rajasthan; and Sg 534 from Ahmednagar in Maharashtra have been selected for greenhouse screening of pearl millet<br />
breeding lines for these specific regions.<br />
RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
225
Milestone 5A.5.1.2: Spatial and temporal virulence pattern of downy mildew pathogens assessed through<br />
virulence nursery and on-farm survey results (RPT/RS/KNR/RB/CTH, 2009)<br />
Pathogenic variability in Sclerospora graminicola remains a major research focus associated with downy<br />
mildew management in pearl millet through host plant resistance. As a result of evolution of host-specific<br />
virulence, resistant genotypes lose their effective resistance within a short period, leading to the development of<br />
new pathotypes in the pathogen populations. Therefore, pathogen populations in the major crop growing areas<br />
need to be periodically monitored and characterized to identify new pathotypes in the target area. Monitoring the<br />
virulence shift in the pathogen population, identifying new virulent pathotypes, screening breeding lines for<br />
resistance against the new virulent pathotypes, and strategically using and deploying resistance genes form the<br />
strategy of downy mildew management in pearl millet. Through the ICAR-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> partnership project,<br />
virulence in the pathogen population is monitored by conducting a collaborative Pearl Millet Downy Mildew<br />
Virulence Nursery (PMDMVN), conducting on-farm downy mildew survey, and pathogenic characterization of<br />
selected isolates using host differentials.<br />
The PMDMVN, consisting of 25-50 pearl millet lines and a local susceptible check was established at 11<br />
locations in India during the rainy seasons 2006-08. The nursery was conducted using sick plot and infector-row<br />
systems at all the locations. Data on disease incidence were recorded at 30-day and 60-day after emergence.<br />
Significant differences were found in downy mildew incidence in test lines at different locations, indicating<br />
variability in virulence of S. graminicola populations. Mean downy mildew incidence across entries and seasons<br />
was highest at Anand, indicating that population of S. graminicola at Anand was more virulent than those at<br />
other locations. The pathogen population at Jamnagar was least virulent. P 7-4, P 310-17, 700651, 852B, 834B,<br />
IP 18292, IP 18293, H 77/833-2 and 843B were common entries in the PMDMVN conducted during 2006-08<br />
and exhibited differential reaction to S. graminicola populations across locations confirming ‘spatial pathogenic<br />
variation’ in the pathogen. IP 18292, once considered as a stable source of resistance, succumbed to Anand and<br />
Durgapura pathotypes exhibiting temporal virulence change and evolution of new virulence in S. graminicola.<br />
Temporal pathogenic variation in the S. graminicola populations was studied by the reaction of old and new<br />
isolates collected from the same area using seven host differential lines (P 7-4, P310-17, 700651, 7042R, 852B,<br />
IP 18292 and IP 18293) in a greenhouse screen. Results of the DM screen showed that old isolate Sg 151,<br />
collected during 1997 from Durgapura had only 13% mean DM incidence across differentials, whereas the new<br />
isolate Sg 505 collected during 2008 recorded 79% mean incidence and infected all the 7 differentials. Similarly,<br />
old isolate Sg 334 from Haryana had 9% mean DM incidence, whereas the new isolate Sg 519 had 66% mean<br />
incidence. This is also true with the pathogen populations in Maharashtra. New isolate Sg 534 collected in 2009<br />
from Ahmednagar, Maharashtra is more virulent (35% mean DM incidence) than the old isolate Sg 021<br />
collected in 1993 (5% mean DM incidence) indicating temporal virulence change in the S. graminicola<br />
populations and evolution of more virulent pathotypes in pearl millet growing areas in India.<br />
RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Output target 5A.6: At least two improved populations and experimental hybrids of pearl millet with<br />
high forage yield potential developed (2009)<br />
Activity 5A 6.1: Develop and evaluate improved open-pollinated varieties and hybrids for their forage yield<br />
potential<br />
Milestone 5A.6.1.1: Additional germplasm sources with high biomass yield identified (KNR/RB/HDU/MB,<br />
2009)<br />
Although a few OPVs and experimental hybrids with high forage yield have been developed, search for new<br />
germplasm sources with high forage yield potential continued. We had evaluated 27 accessions during the 2009<br />
summer season, of which 21 gave 8.1-9.8 t ha -1 of dry fodder yield (four control OPVs had 8.0-9.2 t ha -1 forage<br />
yield) at 80-day harvest. Thus, in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, it was decided to repeat this trial. The rainy season trial<br />
mean (5.2 t ha -1 ) was much lower than the summer season trial mean ( 8.6 t ha -1 ). Yet, five accessions had 6.5-<br />
7.3 t ha -1 dry forage yield and included two of the highest-yielding accessions identified in 2009 summer season<br />
trial. Based on the performance across the two seasons, 10 accessions and the 4 control OPVs were sent to<br />
AICPMIP to constitute a forage trial that will be evaluated at 6 locations in 2011 summer season.<br />
226
Milestone 5A.6.1.2: Improved populations and experimental hybrids with high forage yield potential<br />
developed (KNR/RB/ HDU/MB, 2009)<br />
Milestone 5A 6.1.3: Diverse seed parents with high forage yield potential developed and characterized (2012)<br />
(SKG/KNRMB)<br />
Thirteen forage-type lines earlier identified as seed parent lines with high forage potential were initiated for<br />
backcrossing in A 5 CMS background in summer of <strong>2010</strong>. Eight of these were also backcrossed in A 4 CMS<br />
system. BC1’s were generated for these forage-type materials in rainy season of <strong>2010</strong>. In addition, 352 forage<br />
type seed parent progenies (F 4 ); 12 (S 6 -S 8 ) progenies; and 92 (S 3 -S 6 ) progenies were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
rainy season, of which 155 lines were selected. Of these, 27 progenies flowered in > 60 days while 98 flowered<br />
in 51-60 days (Check ICMB 03222 flowered in 52 days).<br />
Also, 29 seed parent progenies found promising for forage type traits were selected based on diverse parentage.<br />
Of these, 15 flowered in
evaluation of pearl millet forage trials at two locations in Jordan were given on-spot training. Input was<br />
provided for developing in-country/in-region seed production programs to accelerate the adoption of pearl millet<br />
populations primarily for forage production. Not much further progress could be made in popularizing pearl<br />
millet in Central Asia. However, the feedback from Uzbekistan shows increasing popularity of this crop due to<br />
the efforts of a government-funded pearl millet project in that country.<br />
KN Rai, CLL Gowda and Pearl Millet Team<br />
Milestone 5A 8.1.3: International Pearl Millet Training Course (2009) and Field Day (2006, 2008, <strong>2010</strong>, 2012)<br />
conducted (KNR/CLL/pearl millet team)<br />
Scientists Field Day was organized on 30 September-1 October, <strong>2010</strong> at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru where 16<br />
participants from public sector and 19 participants from Consortium Seed companies participated. Scientists<br />
Field Day was organized on 30 September-1 October, <strong>2010</strong> at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru where 16 participants from<br />
public sector and 19 participants from Consortium Seed companies participated. The participants selected 2555<br />
distinct breeding lines (1206 from public sector and 1349 from private sector). Of these selections, seed of 2300<br />
breeding lines (92%) was provided to participating institutions in <strong>2010</strong>. The seed of rest of about 250 breeding<br />
lines will be multiplied in summer season 2011 and shared with partners.<br />
KN Rai, CLL Gowda and Pearl millet Team<br />
Milestone 5A 8.1.4: Technical information and public awareness documents developed and disseminated<br />
(KNR/CLLG/pearl millet team, annual)<br />
Milestone 5A 8.1.5: Commercialization of pearl millet grains strengthened through researcher-farmer-industry<br />
alliances (KNR/CLLG/pearl millet team-annual)<br />
Output 5B: Enhanced molecular genetic and phenotyping platforms for drought and salinity screening<br />
and parental lines of hybrid sorghum, pearl millet and pigeonpea with improved tolerance to abiotic<br />
stresses, made available to partners biennially (from 2008) with associated knowledge and capacity<br />
building in SAT Asia.<br />
I. Pigeonpea<br />
Output Target 5A.1: About 15 high-yielding pigeonpea hybrids made available for cultivation in different<br />
environments (2006-2009).<br />
Activity 5A.1.1: Development of widely adapted high-yielding hybrids for different environments.<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.1: At least 100 new hybrid combinations evaluated to identify new fertility restorers/male<br />
sterility maintainers (KBS/KML, 2006-09).<br />
A total of 154 new hybrids were evaluated in station trials at Patancheru. Of these, 11 new hybrids exhibited<br />
male- sterility and such plants were used in further backcrossing. In 120 hybrids all the plants were fully fertile.<br />
Their pollen parents were selfed to get pure seed. The remaining 23 hybrids exhibited variability (50 –<br />
90%) for male- fertility.<br />
KB Saxena<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.2: At least five high yielding hybrids each in early and medium maturity duration identified for<br />
multi-location testing (KBS/KML, 2007).<br />
Short-duration hybrids: Based on the multi-location performance, eight short-duration hybrids were identified<br />
and evaluated in two replications at Patancheru. Of these, ICPH 2433 was found to be 41% superior to well<br />
known national check UPAS 120. ICPH 2433 also performed well in multi-location testing in the previous year<br />
and it recorded 31.6 % superiority over check in 33 locations. Hence, plans were made to promote this hybrid<br />
for on-farm trials.<br />
Evaluation of white-seeded pigeonpea hybrids: To meet the specific requirements of high-yield and white<br />
seed color hybrids for Gujarat state, 15 white-seeded hybrids were tested in two trials at Patancheru and Gujarat.<br />
At Patancheru, initial growth and vigor of these hybrids were good. The hybrids identified on the basis of highyield<br />
and disease resistance were ICPH 4329, ICPH 4182, and ICPH 4184. The highest (65%) superiority was<br />
228
ecorded by ICPH 4329 with no wilt and SM incidence in the disease nursery. ICPH 4171 had large seeds. The<br />
trial was vitiated due to heavy rains in Gujarat.<br />
KB Saxena<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.3: At least five pigeonpea hybrids identified for on-farm testing (KBS/KML, 2008).<br />
Based on multi-location data, besides ICPH 2671, the other disease resistant promising hybrids identified were<br />
ICPH 2740 and ICPH 3762. The hybrid ICPH 2740 was evaluated in 33 locations during 2005-2008 (Table 2)<br />
and overall it recorded 37.8% superiority over control Asha. This hybrid flowered in 116 - 129 days and<br />
matured in 172 - 186 days with 100-seed mass of 10.8 g. The other hybrid ICPH 3762 was evaluated at eight<br />
locations and it recorded 11.9% superiority (Table 3) over the control. This hybrid flowered in 115 - 126 days<br />
and matured in 171 - 184 days with 100-seed mass of 10.6 g. Both the hybrids are suitable for deep Vertisols.<br />
KB Saxena and Mula Guerrero Myer<br />
Milestone 5A.1.1.4: Elite pigeonpea hybrids evaluated for their resistance to major insects and diseases<br />
(HCS/SP/ KBS, 2009).<br />
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests of pigeonpea. Chemical control of H.<br />
armigera is costly, and also leads to development of resistance to insecticides. There is a need to develop insect<br />
resistant cultivars to reduce the extent of losses due to this pest. Therefore, we evaluated the pigeonpea hybrid<br />
parents and hybrids for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera during the 2009 rainy season to identify cultivars<br />
with resistance/tolerance to this pest for use in pigeonpea improvement. Six hybrids along with two pairs of<br />
maintainer/male-sterile lines, 9 varieties, and nine restorer lines in the short duration group; and 10 hybrids,<br />
three pairs of A/B lines, and 10 restorer lines, along with four checks were evaluated for resistance under field<br />
conditions. There were three replications in a randomized complete block design. Data were recorded on H.<br />
armigera damage, recovery and overall resistance scores visually, pod damage, egg and larval numbers per 5<br />
inflorescences, and grain yield. Damage by H. armigera in all the hybrids in the first flush was very high, and<br />
therefore recovery resistance scores were recorded at maturity (Tables 35, 36). In the short-duration group, the<br />
recovery resistance scores ranged from 7.0 to 9.0, and the genotypes PPE 54-2, ICPL 187-1, ICPL 98008, ICPR<br />
2363, ICPR 2431, and ENT 11 showed moderate levels of recovery resistance, and yield potential 0.35-0.72 t<br />
ha -1 as compared to 0.31 t ha -1 of ICPL 87. These genotypes also had lower numbers of eggs and larvae of H.<br />
armigera. None of the hybrids exhibited tolerance to pod borer damage. In the medium-duration group, the<br />
recovery resistance scores ranged from 5.7 to 8.3, and the genotypes ICPH 2740, ICPH 3461, ICPH 3762, ICPR<br />
2671, ICPR 2740, and ICPL 3762 showed moderate levels of recovery resistance, and yield potential 0.7 t ha -1<br />
as compared to 0.77 t ha -1 of ICPL 87119. These genotypes also had lower numbers of eggs and larvae of H.<br />
armigera (Tables 37, 38).<br />
HC Sharma, KB Saxena and RK Srivastava<br />
A total of 719 genotypes were screened in disease nursery under high-disease inoculum condition at Patancheru.<br />
This material consisted of 40 A/B lines, 198 short and medium-duration hybrids, and 481 R-lines. A total of<br />
116 genotypes were found to have combined resistant to wilt and SM. Twenty-seven lines had resistance to wilt<br />
disease only, while 187 lines showed resistance to only SM disease. The remaining 387 lines were susceptible to<br />
both the diseases.<br />
H C Sharma, Suresh Pande and KB Saxena<br />
Output Target 5A.2: Genetically diverse pigeonpea hybrid parents (about 5-10 A lines and 10-15 R lines)<br />
with resistance to major biotic stresses developed (2009).<br />
Activity 5A.2.1: Development of high-yielding pigeonpea hybrid parents with resistance to major biotic<br />
stresses.<br />
Milestone 5A.2.1.1: At least six A 4 male-sterile and 15 fertility restorer lines with resistance to wilt and sterility<br />
mosaic disease developed (KBS/KML/SP, 2007).<br />
Based on disease resistance six resistant male-sterile lines were selected. Of these, one R-line was of shortduration<br />
and the remaining of medium-duration. Similarly, out of 314 R-lines, 74 lines were resistant to SM and<br />
wilt diseases and these were used in making hybrids.<br />
KB Saxena and Suresh Pande<br />
229
Milestone 5A.2.1.2: At least six promising maintainers of A 4 cytoplasm improved for agronomic traits (seed and<br />
pod size and disease resistance) through backcrossing (KBS/KML, 2009).<br />
A total of 14 A-lines with A 4 cytoplasm were used for improving agronomic traits. The traits selected for<br />
improvement in different lines by back crossing were wilt and sterility mosaic resistance, seed color<br />
(particularly white), seed size, primary/secondary branches, and pod number. The materials used in<br />
backcrossing were from BC 1 to BC 5 generations.<br />
KB Saxena and Suresh Pande<br />
Output target 5A.3: Pigeonpea hybrid parents (25-30 A-lines and 50-55 R-lines) characterized for<br />
important agronomic traits and molecular diversity (2009).<br />
Activity 5A.3.1: Assessing the agronomic and molecular diversity of pigeonpea hybrid parental lines.<br />
Milestone 5A.3.1.1: A/B- and R- lines characterized for important agronomic traits (KBS/KML/HCS/SP, 2008).<br />
Maintainers: In 2009, a total of 22 medium-duration maintainer (B-) lines were evaluated in two trials in RBD<br />
with two replications in four-row plots. ICPB 2078, 2047, 2048, and 2092 were found to be resistant to wilt and<br />
SM diseases. These lines produced good yields when compared to both the checks.<br />
Restorers: Fifty-seven fertility restorer (R-) lines were evaluated in three trials in RBD with two replications in<br />
four-row plots. Of these, 42 belonged to medium-duration and the remaining 15 to the long-duration group.<br />
ICPR 2671, 3762, 3477, 4437, and 4013 were found to be resistant to both wilt and SM diseases.<br />
KB Saxena, H C Sharma and Suresh Pande<br />
Milestone 5A.3.1.2: Available male sterile (A/B) and fertility restorer (R) lines characterized using molecular<br />
markers (KBS/RKV, 2009).<br />
Development of mapping populations segregating for fertility restoring gene(s): Four diverse hybrids were<br />
selected for developing mapping populations. The parents for crossing and raising of mapping populations were<br />
grown under nylon net coverings to eliminate cross - pollination. The cross combinations (ICPA 2039 × ICPR<br />
2438, ICPA 2039 × ICPR 2447, ICPA 2043 × ICPR 2671, and ICPA 2043 × ICPR 3467) were made and the<br />
resultant F 1 s were raised and their F 2 seeds were collected from single F 1 plants. All the F 2 plants were selfed to<br />
obtain the F 2:3 mapping populations.<br />
Identification of molecular markers linked to fertility restorer (Fr) gene(s) of A 4 CMS system: A total of<br />
98 and 145 simple sequences repeat (SSR) markers showed polymorphism in cross ICPA 2039 × ICPR 2447<br />
and ICPA 2043 × ICPR 2671, respectively. All the identified polymorphic markers will be used for genotyping<br />
of 188 progenies of F 2 mapping populations. The phenotyping data obtained in combination with genotyping<br />
data will be analyzed to identify QTLs showing higher phenotypic variations for fertility restoration.<br />
Rajeev Kumar Varshney and KB Saxena<br />
Output Target 5A.4: Seed production technology for pigeonpea hybrids and their parents improved<br />
(2009).<br />
Activity 5A.4.1: Developing an efficient seed production technology for pigeonpea hybrids and their parents.<br />
Milestone 5A.4.1.1: Improved seed production technology for pigeonpea hybrids and their parents developed<br />
(KBS/KML, 2009).<br />
The seed production of hybrids (A x R) and maintainers (A x B) were taken up under different plant populations<br />
under June and July sowings. Two row ratios (3 female : 1 male) and (4 female : 1 male) were used. The<br />
results indicated that spacing of 75cm x 30 cm with 4 female: 1 male ratio was more productive under irrigated<br />
conditions. The highest yield (1693 kg ha -1 ) was obtained in time sowings. In July sowings, in A x B seed<br />
production in 120 x 40 cm with 4:1 row ratio has produced 1769 kg ha -1 . The highest in A x R yield was 2053<br />
kg ha -1 recorded in July sowings.<br />
KB Saxena and Mula Guerrero Myer<br />
230
Milestone 5A.4.1.2: A hybrid seed production manual published (KBS, 2006).<br />
A hybrid pigeonpea seed production manual was published in English in 2008. The short- version of this manual<br />
was prepared in Marathi and Myanmari language. The Kannada version is also being prepared for the benefit of<br />
scientists and seed producers.<br />
KB Saxena<br />
Output Target 5A5: Efficiency of hybrid pigeonpea breeding improved through strategic research (<strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Activity 5A.5.1: Conduct strategic research to improve the efficiency of hybrid breeding.<br />
Milestone 5A.5.1.1: Cytology and genetics of A 4 CMS system and its fertility restorers investigated (KBS/VD, 2007).<br />
Milestone 5A.5.1.2: Genotype - environment interaction for the expression of male-sterility and fertility<br />
restoration assessed (KBS/VKD/KML, 2009).<br />
This research was also conducted under a Ph.D. program. The results were included in 2008 <strong>Archival</strong> <strong>Report</strong><br />
and later published in International Journal.<br />
KB Saxena and Vijay Kumar Dalvi<br />
Milestone 5A.5.1.3: New sources of cytoplasm identified and diverse CMS systems developed (KBS/NM/KML,<br />
<strong>2010</strong>).<br />
A wild species C. reticulatus was used to breed a new CMS source. In 2008, two seeds were produced from a<br />
cross between C.reticulatus x ICPB 2043. From this, only one germinated and produced a plant that was 60%<br />
male-sterile. On this partial male-sterile plant, four elite lines were crossed to develop new A-lines. Among<br />
these, a cross made with ICPL 85030 produced two seeds and the plants were 100% male-sterile. A close<br />
perusal of flower showed that in addition to male-sterility, these plants were also heterostyly (long style and<br />
short stamens). Further backcrosses with ICPL 85030 were made to advance the generation.<br />
In continuation of the 2009 experiment to identify CMS lines with A 5 cytoplasm, 118 lines obtained as a result<br />
of crossing 2 lines, which had more number of 100% male-sterile plants and their fertile siblings with high<br />
pollen fertility were grown in the field. In 118 lines, 6 had higher number of male-sterile plants with high pollen<br />
fertility in their fertile siblings. Sterile plants were 100 % pollen sterile and fertility in the fertile plants ranged<br />
from 78 to 98 %.<br />
KB Saxena and Nalini Mallikarjuna<br />
Output target 5A.6: Trait-based breeding populations developed for selecting elite hybrid pigeonpea<br />
parental lines (2011).<br />
Activity 5A.6.1: Development of trait specific (diverse maturity, disease resistance, seed and pod size)<br />
breeding populations for selecting new maintainers and restorers.<br />
Milestone 5A.6.1.1: For each trait, about 10-12 genetically diverse lines will be identified and crossed in a<br />
half-diallel mating scheme to generate B and R breeding populations for selection (KBS/KML/SP, 2011).<br />
To broaden the genetic base of B-lines, a nuclear background diversification program was initiated. These<br />
crosses were made using B-lines of A 4 cytoplasm belonging to early (DT x DT = 4 crosses, NDT x DT = 6<br />
crosses) and medium (NDT x NDT = 9 crosses) maturity groups. In early maturity group, a total of 750 plants<br />
were grown, while in medium maturity 920 plants were grown. Single plant selections were done during 2009 –<br />
<strong>2010</strong> for diversity in various agronomic traits such as days to flower, maturity, 100-seed weight, number of pods,<br />
seeds pod -1 , seed coat color etc. Continuous heavy rains led to severe plant mortality due to water-logging and<br />
Phytophthora blight. The selected lines were grown under a net to prevent out-crossing and for obtaining pure<br />
seeds of the next filial generation.<br />
The F 2 populations were generated from crosses made in a diallel mating design (resistant x resistant for both<br />
wilt and sterility mosaic diseases) using 15 elite wilt and sterility mosaic resistant lines. Of these, 60 F 3<br />
populations belonged to early maturity group and 36 F 3 populations belonged to the medium maturity group.<br />
Single plant selections were made for diversity in various agronomic traits such as days to flower, maturity, 100-<br />
seed weight, number of pods, seeds pod -1 , and seed coat color.<br />
KB Saxena and Rakesh K Srivastava<br />
231
Output Target 5A.7: Hybrid pigeonpea technology exchange, capacity building of partners and<br />
documentation (<strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Activity 5A.7.1: Exchange improved technologies and new knowledge with ARIs, NARS, NGOs, private<br />
sector, and farmers’ groups.<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.1: <strong>ICRISAT</strong> partnerships with NARS and Hybrid Parents Research Consortium Partners<br />
strengthened (KBS/CLLG/SP, annual).<br />
The partnerships evolved for the development of hybrid seed production, and research and development<br />
activities were-Hybrid Parents Research Consortium, Public sector support companies, NARS of India, China<br />
and Myanmar. With this support we evaluated several hybrids. The promising hybrids identified were ICPH<br />
2671, ICPH 2740, ICPH 3762, and ICPH 2433.<br />
In China, large-scale seed production of ICPH 2671 in isolation is in progress. Farmers are liking this hybrid<br />
and there is a chance to increase land area under it.<br />
In Myanmar, a total of 61 hybrids were made by crossing four CMS lines (ICPA 2043, ICPA 2047, ICPA 2048,<br />
and ICPA 2092) with <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s improved cultivars and local varieties, and these were evaluated in Myingyan,<br />
Sebin, Nyaungoo and Zaloke Research Farms. These hybrids will be resynthesized for evaluation in the multilocational<br />
trials in Myanmar. In Myingyan, seven hybrids (ICPH 3497, 2740, 2671, 3462, 3341, 3337, and<br />
3467) produced significantly high yield (1575 to 1890 kg ha -1 ) than the local check Monywashwedinga (1106<br />
kg ha -1 ). In Sebin, ICPH 3462, ICPH 2673, ICPH 3467, ICPH 2751, and ICPH 2671 exhibited high yield of<br />
1976 to 2396 kg ha -1 . In Zaloke, eight hybrids ICPH 3497, 2740, 2751, 3461, 3477, 2671, 2673, and 3341<br />
produced 2003 to 2309 kg ha -1 . In the present study significant standard heterosis was recorded in the<br />
multilocation trials and four hybrids (ICPH 3497, 2740, 2671, 2673,) were outstanding across the locations.<br />
These hybrids yielded 1846 to 1967 kg ha -1 grain with 32.1 to 40.7% superiority over the control,<br />
Monywashwedinga. In these trials, it was also observed that high yield recorded in the hybrids was positively<br />
related to the number of pods plant -1 (r = 0.67**). Hybrids ICPH 3477 and ICPH 3461 were better adapted in<br />
Zaloke where it produced high yield of 2217 and 2259 kg ha -1 respectively.<br />
KB Saxena, CL Laxmipathi Gowda and Suresh Pande<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.2: Seeds of elite parental lines, and hybrids multiplied and distributed to NARS and seed<br />
companies (KBS, annual).<br />
Seed production of A-lines: Three medium-duration A-lines were multiplied in isolations. These include ICPA<br />
2043, ICPA 2047 and ICPA 2092. Among these ICPA 2043 was grown in two different isolations with a total<br />
area of 0.8 ha. The total seed obtained from these isolations was 262 kg. ICPA 2047 (A x B) was grown in 1.34<br />
ha in three isolations. The 665 kg seed was obtained from these isolations. ICPA 2092 was grown in 0.5 ha but<br />
due to severe Alternaria blight damage only 20 kg of seed was harvested.<br />
Seed production of R–lines: In 2009, two lines ICPR 2671 and ICPR 3762 were multiplied in isolation at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> and in the farmers’ field in Medak district. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, 600 kg seed of ICPR 2671 was obtained<br />
from 0.77 ha area. Also 150 kg seed of ICPR 3762 was harvested from 0.18 ha area. About 1500 kg of ICPR<br />
2671 seed was harvested from 2.2 ha isolated area in farmers’field at Zaheerabad, whereas 2580 kg of ICPR<br />
2671 seed was harvested from a 2.4 ha isolation in Kandi village of Medak district.<br />
Seed production of hybrids: The seed production of four hybrids was taken at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> during 2009 season.<br />
Of these, one was of short-duration, (ICPH 2438) and three (ICPH 2671, ICPH 2740, and ICPH 3762) of<br />
medium-duration. Due to severe Maruca damage only 10 kg of ICPH 2438 hybrid seed was harvested. The<br />
seed production of hybrid ICPH 2671 was taken up in 0.8 ha with two sowing dates (18 June and 8 July <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
with variable row-to-row and plant-to-plant spacing 288 kg seed obtained from this plot. The seed production of<br />
second hybrid ICPH 2740 was taken up in 0.32 ha under unirrigated conditions on 8 th July, 2009. The initial<br />
growth of crop was good but it could not pick up its growth in the later stages due to insufficient moisture at<br />
podding stage and yielded 200 kg seed from 0.32 ha. ICPH 3762 was multiplied in isolation in 0.32 ha plant.<br />
Due to plant losses only 60 kg seed yield was obtained.<br />
Hybrid seed production in farmers’ fields: For the first time, we explored the possibility of hybrid seed<br />
production in farmers’ fields in Zaheerabad and Medak districts. In Zaheerabad, 3.1 ha were sown for seed<br />
production of ICPH 2671, ICPH 2740, and ICPH 3461. The appreciable seed quantity was not obtained due to<br />
232
low- bee activity for pollinating A-lines. Since this is a new technology, the farmer at Kandi took seed<br />
production of hybrid under 6 male rows with a single row of A-line. The seed obtained from three (ICPH 2671-<br />
50 kg; ICPH 2740- 195 kg; ICPH 3461- 30 kg) hybrids was 275 kg, which is comparatively low.<br />
Seed distribution: A total of 492 seed samples were supplied to NARS and international scientists, and farmers.<br />
A total of 17,200 kg of hybrid seed was distributed in six states and sowings were done on 3437 ha. Among<br />
these, Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh covered more than 1000 ha under hybrid cultivation. This was<br />
followed by Gujarat (444 ha), Maharashtra (409 ha), and Jharkhand (230 ha).<br />
KB Saxena and Mula Guerrero Myer<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.3: Technical information and public awareness literature developed and disseminated<br />
(KBS/HCS/ SP, 2007).<br />
Information regarding hybrid seed production technology was developed. Based on the experience gained, a<br />
technology on pigeonpea CMS line and hybrid seed production was developed. This technology provides the<br />
guidance on row ratio, spacing between and within plants and proper management practices for A,B, and R lines.<br />
However, this technology needs tuning based on different environmental conditions. This knowledge was<br />
disseminated to several farmers, seed production officers and scientists.<br />
KB Saxena, H C Sharma, Suresh Pande and Mula Guerrero Myer<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.4: Capacity of NARS and seed sector scientists/technicians in hybrid breeding strengthened<br />
(KBS/KML, annual).<br />
In 2009, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> organized three training programs. A total of 203 persons were trained. This includes 30<br />
scientists, 56 seed production officers, and 117 farmers. Seed production plots in Zaheerabad and Medak district<br />
was closely monitored and the experiences gained were used for designing seed production plots in subsequent<br />
seasons. The monitoring of several on-farm trials was done by pigeonpea scientists and staff in Maharashtra,<br />
Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.<br />
KB Saxena and Mula Guerrero Myer<br />
Milestone 5A.7.1.5: Molecular markers and genetic maps developed and exchanged with the scientific<br />
community (RV/DAH/ KML/HDU/NM/KBS, <strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Identification of informative SSR markers for hybrid purity assessment: Two subsets of 42 SSR markers<br />
for crosses ICPA 2039 × ICPR 2438 and ICPA 2043 × ICPR 2671 that gave high quality amplification were<br />
selected for assessing the purity of hybrid seeds. To assess the reliability of these SSR markers, 183 and 174<br />
individual seeds from seed lots of ICPH 2438 and ICPH 2671, respectively were obtained from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
These were analyzed together with seeds of parental lines.<br />
Analysis of markers on DNA samples of 183 seeds from seed lot of ICPH 2438 showed hybrid purity (alleles<br />
from both A- and R- lines) in 96.33% of cases. Similarly, 174 seeds from seed lot of ICPH 2671 showed hybrid<br />
purity in 94.76% of cases. With an objective to reduce the costs and time in PCR assays for purity assessment,<br />
an effort was made to define marker groups based on allele sizes for undertaking multiplex assay for all the 42<br />
marker each for both hybrids. As a result, 35 out of 42 markers for ICPH 2671 could be grouped into 9 groups<br />
and appropriate groups could not be defined for remaining 7 markers. Similarly for ICPH 2438, 26 out of 42<br />
informative markers could be grouped in 12 marker groups. Interestingly, four (CcM0257, CcM1559, CcM1825<br />
and CcM1895) out of eight common informative markers for assessing purity of both the hybrids could be<br />
grouped together for undertaking multiplex assay.<br />
Rajeev Kumar Varshney and KB Saxena<br />
Other <strong>Report</strong>s<br />
Performance of Hybrids in On-farm Trials<br />
In 2009, a total of 112 on-farm trials of three promising hybrids ICPH 2740, ICPH 3762, and ICPH 2671 were<br />
conducted in farmers’ fields in the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh. On<br />
average, the hybrids showed 28% superiority over control variety. Exciting results were obtained from some of<br />
the farmers in the on-farm trials. Three farmers harvested record yields of over 4 tons ha -1 on their farms (Table<br />
4). One of the farmers in Medak district of Andhra Pradesh received ‘Best Farmer Award 2009’ for harvesting<br />
3300 kg ha -1 of grains from his 3.2 hectare plot (Table 5) and fetched a net profit of Rs.2,68,000. This<br />
information showed that the hybrid technology has a potential of breaking the barrier of stagnant yield in<br />
pigeonpea.<br />
233
Inheritance of Fertility Restoration of A 4 CMS system<br />
Inheritance of fertility restoration of A 4 - based cytoplasmic-nuclear male-sterility system was studied using F 1<br />
and segregating populations (F 2 and BC 1 F 1 ) of five crosses made between male-sterile and male-fertile lines.<br />
One extra-early, two early, and two medium-maturing hybrids were studied to generate information on the<br />
genetics of fertility restoration. The results suggested that in extra-early group the pollen fertility was controlled<br />
by a single dominant gene; while in early and medium-maturing group the male - fertility was governed by two<br />
duplicate dominant genes.<br />
In another study, two A-lines having A 4 cytoplasm were crossed with four fertility restoring lines and two malefertility<br />
restoring genes segregating independently were identified. In the four male parents (ICPR 2438, ICPR<br />
2447, ICPR 2671, and ICPR 3467) two dominant genes were found to be involved in the expression of fertility<br />
restoration with duplicate dominant gene action. Studies will be conducted to establish relationship among<br />
various fertility restoring alleles.<br />
Allelic relationships of different fertility restoring genes<br />
To understand more clearly if the genes governing fertility restoration were the same or different in the known<br />
restorer lines (A 4 system), a study was initiated to carry out allelism test. A set of 27 known restorer lines were<br />
selected for crossing. The F 1 s of these crosses were crossed again with one A 1 (ICPA 2030) cytoplasm and four<br />
A 4 (ICPA 2039, ICPA 2089, ICPA 2043, and ICPA 2092) cytoplasm A- lines. The populations generated from<br />
these crosses were scored for fertility restoration. A total of 1080 plants from ICPA 2089 - based crosses; 1900<br />
for ICPA 2039; 4820 for ICPA 2043; 800 for ICPA 2092 were grown in a wilt free plot. Individual plants of<br />
these crosses were scored for fertility restoration during 2009 rainy season. Data analysis is in progress.<br />
Incorporation of Obcordate Leaf Marker in A/B Lines<br />
To facilitate grow-out test, a simply inherited trait designated as ‘obcordate leaf’ is being introduced in A/B<br />
lines. These genotypes when crossed with normal leaf cultivars produce hybrid plants with normal leaves and<br />
non-hybrids (sibs) will have obcordate leaves. This test is simple and can be performed early plant growth stage.<br />
Table 1: Important agronomic traits of 15 hybrids selected from the three MLTs, conducted in 2009<br />
Trial Hybrid Mean seed yield Yield gain Days to 100-seed Wilt<br />
(kg ha -1 ) (%) over flower mature wt (g) (%)<br />
hybrid/ check* check*<br />
MLT 1 ICPH 3491 2945/2247 (122) 31 119 153 11.6 7 0<br />
ICPH 3762 2737/2247 22 115 149 10.8 0 0<br />
ICPH 2740 2616/2247 16 115 149 11.3 0 0<br />
ICPH 2751 2561/2247 14 117 151 11.4 0 0<br />
ICPH 3359 2512/2247 12 118 151 10.8 6 18<br />
MLT 2 ICPH 3464 2381/1566 (120) 52 109 146 11.2 31 8<br />
ICPH 3341 2317/1566 48 117 150 10.8 0 14<br />
ICPH 2673 2261/1566 44 119 151 9.5 6 50<br />
ICPH 3472 2101/1566 34 112 146 10.7 7 0<br />
ICPH 3340 2104/1566 34 118 156 10.9 26 32<br />
MLT 3 ICPH 3763 2411/1715 (121) 41 122 152 10.6 6 24<br />
ICPH 4017 2395/1715 40 122 155 9.5 28 17<br />
ICPH 3759 2139/1715 25 121 152 10.7 24 0<br />
ICPH 4012 2136/1715 25 122 152 9.2 6 6<br />
ICPH 3761 2073/1715 21 121 155 10.4 24 24<br />
*Asha check<br />
( ) The data in parentheses indicate days to flowering of control cultivar Asha.<br />
SM<br />
(%)<br />
234
Table 2. Summary performance of hybrid ICPH 2740 and control cultivar Asha in multi-location trials (2005 to 2008)<br />
Trait 2005<br />
(n=7)<br />
2006<br />
(n=7)<br />
2007<br />
(n=12)<br />
2008<br />
(n=7)<br />
Mean<br />
(n=33)<br />
Yield (kg ha -1 )<br />
Hybrid 3652 2407 2758 2208 2756<br />
Control 2215 1582 2592 1607 1999<br />
100-seed wt (g)<br />
Hybrid 10.6 10.4 11.0 11.3 10.8<br />
Control 11.1 10.7 10.8 11.2 10.9<br />
Maturity (days)<br />
Hybrid 186 188 180 172 182<br />
Control 190 190 182 171 183<br />
Flowering (days)<br />
Hybrid 129 125 122 116 123<br />
Control 133 130 123 116 126<br />
Plant height (cm)<br />
Hybrid 235 212 222 226 224<br />
Control 215 203 215 208 210<br />
Seeds pod -1<br />
Hybrid 4.0 3.8 3.8 4.0 3.9<br />
Control 3.6 3.6 3.8 3.9 3.7<br />
Wilt (%)<br />
Hybrid 0 0 50* 19 23<br />
Control 0 0 8 0 2<br />
SM (%)<br />
Hybrid 0 8 0 0 3<br />
Control 6 9 0 0 4<br />
*data estimated on only eight plants<br />
Table 3. Summary performance of hybrid ICPH 3762 and control cultivar Asha in<br />
multi- location trials from 2007 to 2008<br />
Trait<br />
2007 2008 Mean<br />
(n=1) (n=7) (n=8)<br />
Yield (kg ha -1 )<br />
Hybrid 2878 1821 2350<br />
Control 2592 1607 2099<br />
100-seed wt (g)<br />
Hybrid 10.4 10.8 10.6<br />
Control 10.8 11.2 11<br />
Maturity (days)<br />
Hybrid 184 171 178<br />
Control 182 171 177<br />
Flowering (days)<br />
Hybrid 126 115 121<br />
Control 123 116 120<br />
Plant height (cm)<br />
Hybrid 272 222 247<br />
Control 215 208 212<br />
Seeds pod -1<br />
Hybrid 3.8 3.9 3.9<br />
Control 3.8 3.9 3.9<br />
Wilt (%)<br />
Hybrid 8 0 4<br />
Control 8 0 4<br />
SM (%)<br />
Hybrid 8 0 4<br />
Control 0 0 0<br />
235
Table 4. Record yields produced by some hybrid pigeonpea farmers in Amravati and<br />
Yavatmal districts of Maharashtra in 2009<br />
Hybrid Area Yield (kg ha -1 ) %<br />
Name & Village name sown (m 2 ) hybrid check Gain<br />
SB Kale, Salod ICPH 2671 450 3956 2044 94<br />
PK Satav, Nimgaon ICPH 2671 1012 3951 2469 60<br />
DV Chopde, Kothoda ICPH 2671 450 4667 3556 31<br />
YS Shrotri, Tamoli ICPH 2671 450 3889 2278 71<br />
RK Warekar, P’Kawada ICPH 2740 450 4148 2963 40<br />
VB Kadam, Tamoli ICPH 2740 338 4444 2667 67<br />
BK Warekar, P’Kawada ICPH 2740 338 4444 2963 50<br />
Mean 4214 2706 56<br />
Table 5: List of on-farm trials of ICPH 2671 hybrid in different locations of India, 2009 season<br />
Actual Hybrid Check<br />
Area<br />
State Farmer name Location<br />
yield yield yield<br />
(ac)<br />
(kg) (kg ha -1 ) (kg ha -1 )<br />
Andhra<br />
Pradesh<br />
Janardhan, G<br />
Chautukur,<br />
Jogipet 8.0 10400 3250 750<br />
Shri Ranga Rao Karimnagar 0.5 700 3500 -<br />
Maharashtra Porwal, G R Palodi 1.0 NA 3200 2100<br />
Barhate, A V Manwat 1.0 NA 3000 2150<br />
Patil, S D Nandkheda 1.0 NA 3500 2500<br />
Gaikwad,B B Hingoli 1.0 NA 3700 3000<br />
Changde, V D Mehkar 0.25 350 3500 1000<br />
Shrotri ,Y K Tamoli NA NA 3889 2778<br />
Sachin ,V K Tamoli NA NA 4444 2963<br />
Vasudev T W Palodi NA NA 3704 2963<br />
Karnataka Kallyanappa, E W Allur, Aland NA NA 3750 1850<br />
Mardandappa<br />
Madhya<br />
Pradesh<br />
Nagappa Bennur NA NA 2500 2200<br />
Kasturbagram,<br />
KVK Indore 1.0 1100 2750 -<br />
I. Sorghum<br />
Output 5B: Enhanced molecular genetic and phenotyping platforms for drought and salinity screening<br />
and parental lines of hybrid sorghum, pearl millet and pigeonpea with improved tolerance to abiotic<br />
stresses, made available to partners biennially (from 2008) with associated knowledge and capacity<br />
building in SAT Asia.<br />
Output target 5B.1: At least five salinity-tolerant sorghum breeding lines/populations and a mapping<br />
population developed (2009)<br />
Activity 5B.1.1: Developing/identifying salinity-tolerant improved breeding lines/populations and associated<br />
QTL<br />
Milestone 5B.1.1.1.1: Two sweet sorghum breeding lines tolerant to drought stress developed /identified<br />
(PSR/BVSR/VV, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Moisture stress is a key abiotic stress limiting the productivity of many crops and sweet sorghum is not an<br />
exception. Mid-season moisture stress during the rainy season and terminal moisture stress in postrainy season<br />
are common. Hence it is important to breed for both the stresses separately for season-wise adaptation.<br />
The following trials were conducted for postrainy season adaptation<br />
236
1. Evaluation of sweet sorghum genotypes for postrainy season adaptation: A total of 90 genotypes<br />
comprising sweet sorghum hybrid parental lines, hybrids, varieties and germplasms accessions were<br />
evaluated along with five checks, namely ICSV 112 (high grain yielding variety), R 16(drought susceptible<br />
check), B 35 (stay-green, drought tolerant check), E 36-1(both stay-green and sweet sorghum variety) and<br />
NTJ 2 (sweet sorghum variety) during the postrainy season 2009 in RCBD with two-replications. The<br />
sugar yield in the test entries ranged from 0.03 to 1.1 t ha -1 (E 36-1: 0.22 t ha -1 ). Seventy nine genotypes<br />
were superior to the best performing drought-tolerant check (E 36-1 0.22 t ha -1 ). Among all the genotypes,<br />
days to 50% flowering ranged from 74 to 86 days (E 36-: 74 days), stalk yield ranged from 2.6 to 15.6 t ha -1<br />
(E 36-1: 4.16 t ha -1 ) and grain yield ranged from 0.26 t ha -1 to 0.90 t ha -1 (E 36-1 1.5 t ha -1 ). In trial 2, the<br />
sugar yield ranged from 0.1 to 0.7 t ha -1 (E36-1: 0.39 t ha -1 ) and sixty five genotypes were superior to the<br />
best performing drought-tolerant check (E36-1: 0.39 t ha -1 ). The days to 50% flowering ranged from 68 to<br />
88 days (E36-1: 74 days); stalk yield ranged from 2.2 to 10.8 t ha -1 (E36-1: 4.1 t ha -1 ) and grain yield ranged<br />
from 0.1to 1.6 t ha -1 (E36-1: 0.25 t ha -1 ).<br />
2. Screening of sweet sorghum genotypes for terminal moisture stress: A total of 99 genotypes comprising<br />
sweet sorghum hybrid parental lines, hybrids, varieties and germplasms accessions were evaluated along<br />
with five checks namely, ICSV 112 (high grain yielding variety), R 16(drought susceptible check), B<br />
35(stay-green, drought tolerant check), E 36-1(both stay-green and sweet sorghum variety) and NTJ 2<br />
(sweet sorghum variety) during the postrainy season 2009 in RCBD with two-replications. Irrigation was<br />
with held at 55 days after sowing. The ANOVA for mean sum of squares showed that the genotypic<br />
differences were significant for sugar yield and related traits. Among these genotypes, the varieties ICSV<br />
25294 (2.36 t ha -1 ), ICSV 93046 (1.78 t ha -1 ), ICSV 25312 (1.71 t ha -1 ), ICSV 25298 (1.70 t ha -1 ), ICSV<br />
25308 (1.65 t ha -1 ), ICSV 25300 (1.64 t ha -1 ), ICSV 25316 (1.63 t ha -1 ) were highly and significantly<br />
superior over the best performing check E 36-1 (0.62 t ha -1 ) for sugar yield.<br />
The following trials were conducted for rainy season adaptation<br />
1. Evaluation of sweet sorghum genotypes for rainy season adaptation: This trial was constituted with 68<br />
improved sweet sorghum genotypes and evaluated during the rainy season <strong>2010</strong> in RCBD in 3 replications<br />
along with four checks CSH 22SS, Urja, JK Recova and RSSV9. The days to 50% flowering in the test<br />
entries ranged from 63 to 80 days (R16: 63 days) and the stalk yield varied ranged from 11.0 t ha -1 to 72.4 t<br />
ha -1 (CSH 22 SS: 39.7 t ha -1 ). Forty three genotypes were recorded higher stalk yields than the best<br />
performing check (CSH 22 SS: 39.7 t ha -1 ). The genotype (Ch 14 × SSV 84)-10-1-1 recorded the highest<br />
stalk yield which is 72.4 t ha -1 . The Brix % ranged from 11.1 to 18.0 (Urja: 18.0).The sugar yield ranged<br />
from 0.2 t ha -1 to 2.8 t ha -1 (Urja: 1.45 t ha -1 ) and 27 entries recorded higher sugar yield than the best<br />
performing check Urja. The genotype (Ch-14 x SSV 84)-10-1-1 recorded highest sugar yield with 2.28 tha -1<br />
followed by ICSV 25315 (1.9 t ha -1 ).<br />
2. Screening of sweet sorghum genotypes for mid-season moisture stress: A total of 210 genotypes<br />
comprising sweet sorghum hybrids, varieties and B-lines were evaluated along with five checks that include<br />
ICSV 112 (high grain yielding variety), R 16(drought susceptible check), B 35(stay-green, drought tolerant<br />
check), E 36-1(both stay-green and sweet sorghum variety) and NTJ 2 (sweet sorghum variety) in<br />
augmented design during the <strong>2010</strong> summer season for identifying genotypes with mid-season moisture<br />
stress tolerance. Data were recorded for the traits are vigor score, wilting score, days to 50% flowering,<br />
plant height (m), stalk weight (t ha -1 ), juice weight (t ha -1 ), Brix%, bagasse (t ha -1 ), sugar yield (t ha -1 ).<br />
P. Srinivasa Rao and Belum VS Reddy<br />
II. Pearl millet<br />
Output target 5B.1: At least five salinity-tolerant improved breeding lines/ populations of pearl millet<br />
identified and feasibility of breeding salinity tolerant hybrids assessed (VV/KNR/RB) (2009)<br />
Activity 5B 1.1: Develop salinity-tolerant lines and populations in pearl millet and assess their hybrid<br />
potential under saline conditions<br />
SK. 13 Milestone 5B.1.1.1: Inbred lines and populations identified as salinity-tolerant in preliminary<br />
evaluations re-evaluated for their salinity tolerance and yield potential (KNR/SKG/VV, 2008)<br />
SK 14.Milestone 5B.1.1.2: Relationship between the salinity tolerance of hybrids and their parental lines<br />
assessed (<strong>2010</strong>) (KNR/SKG/VV)<br />
237
Output target 5B.2: Putative QTLs for salinity tolerance of grain and stover yield identified in pearl<br />
millet (2009)<br />
Activity 5B.2.1: Genotyping and phenotyping of mapping populations for salinity tolerance<br />
Milestone 5B.2.1.1: Putative QTL for salinity tolerance based on 160 RILs from one mapping population<br />
identified (CTH/SS/VV, 2009)<br />
Salinity is a complex trait and the identification of molecular markers for tolerance to salinity would greatly help<br />
the breeding of that trait in popular varieties. Pearl millet is considered as mildly salinity tolerant. However,<br />
breeding materials that are parent of recombinant inbred line populations have been found to be contrasting for<br />
seed yield under salt stress. This work was undertaken to assess the seed and biomass yield (and related<br />
parameters) in a RIL populations having contrasting parents.<br />
RILs were planted in 25 cm diameter pots, filled with 10kg of Alfisol. Salt treatment consisted of an application<br />
of 150 mM NaCl solution in sufficient amount to saturate the soil profile. This corresponded to a 1.41 g/kg<br />
Alfisol. Salt treatment was applied in 3 split doses at sowing (1/3), and approximately 10 and 20 days after<br />
sowing. Subsequent irrigation was done with soft water. Pots were gown outside, buried in the ground, and<br />
plants harvested at maturity. Three trials were performed in different seasons. A segregating population of pearl<br />
millet comprising of 138 F7 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> from the cross between<br />
parents contrasting for salinity tolerance (ICMB 841, tolerant; 863B, sensitive) was evaluated under saline and<br />
non-saline conditions in summer 2007 and 2008.<br />
Substantial variation for salinity tolerance was found for shoot biomass ratio (shoot biomass under<br />
salinity/control) and grain yield. Shoot biomass (68%) was less adversely affected than yield and related<br />
parameters, which showed a 86% reduction. A linkage map using 77 SSR markers was constructed and<br />
composite interval mapping revealed QTL for grain yield, flowering time and productive tiller number on LG 3,<br />
5 and 1 respectively which expressed only under saline conditions with favorable allele contributed by ICMB<br />
841. Six genomic regions on LG 7 differing/sharing 30 cM had QTLs for plant height, panicle length (LOD 5),<br />
stem dry weight (LOD 4) and shoot dry weight under saline conditions with favorable allele(s) from ICMB 841.<br />
The QTLs mapped for control conditions were almost similar to the previous reports; a QTL with a LOD score<br />
above 10 was identified on LG 6 for individual grain mass under control conditions, with the favorable allele(s)<br />
contributed by 863B.<br />
Given the small effect of the QTL identified, additional QTL with a larger effect have to be identified. Other<br />
RIL populations are being developed for this purpose.<br />
Milestone 5B.2.1.2: Putative QTLs for salinity tolerance based on 35 BC6F3 contiguous segment introgression<br />
lines identified (CTH/SS/VV, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Milestone 5B.2.1.3: New F6 RIL mapping populations for salinity tolerance available in pearl millet for<br />
phenotyping and genotyping (CTH/BVSR/KNR/VV, 2009)<br />
Milestone 5B.3.1.1: Publication of results from marker-assisted selection for the linkage group 2 drought<br />
tolerance QTL into the genetic background of two parental lines (CTH/FRB, 2008)<br />
Milestone 5B.3.1.2: DM resistance and terminal drought tolerance QTLs pyramided in the genetic background<br />
of elite pollinator H 77/833-2 and QTL introgression homozygote product lines available for testing<br />
(CTH/PSK/SS/VV/RPT/RS/KNR, 2007)<br />
Output target 5B.4: Pearl millet germplasm with superior P-acquisition identified (2009)<br />
Activity 5B 4.1: Development of an effective protocol and identification of germplasm with enhanced P-<br />
acquisition ability<br />
Milestone 5B.4.1.1: An effective P-acquisition protocol applicable for large-scale screening developed<br />
(VV/HDU, 2007)<br />
Milestone 5B.4.1.2: Pearl millet germplasm with superior P-acquisition from low-P sources identified (VV,<br />
2009)<br />
238
Milestone 5B.4.1.3: QTL for P acquisition from low P sources identified in pearl millet (VV / CTH, 2011)<br />
Output target 5B.5: At least five pearl millet breeding lines with tolerance to high air temperatures<br />
(>45°C) during reproductive stage developed (2009)<br />
Activity 5B 5.1: Evaluate a diverse range of parental lines, advanced breeding lines and populations for high<br />
temperature tolerance during flowering and grain- filling period; and identify major QTL associated with<br />
this trait.<br />
Milestone 5B.5.1.1: Breeding lines with >70% seedset under field conditions at high temperatures<br />
identified/developed and their tolerance under greenhouse conditions validated (2009) (SKG/KNR/VV)<br />
In summer <strong>2010</strong>, a nursery of about 105 breeding lines including 87 inbreds, 16 germplasm lines and 2<br />
populations was evaluated along with standard check hybrids 9444 and 86M64 (both are known to be heat<br />
tolerant hybrids) at 6 locations (Ahmedabad, Dehgam and Palanpur in Gujarat; Sanchor and Bhinmal in<br />
Rajasthan; and Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh). This nursery included 2 B-lines and 16 germplasm lines identified as<br />
heat tolerant in 2009 the plants which got exposed to the temperature of >42 0 C were considered. The seed set<br />
varied in breeding lines; with maximum of 41 lines in 21-40% Seed Set Class (SSC) followed by 25 in 41-60%<br />
SSC and 7 in 61-80 SSC. Hybrid 86M64 recorded highest mean seed set of 76 %, while the other check hybrid<br />
9444 had 72% seed set. Amongst inbreds, 7 lines (6 B lines and 1 R line) had >60% seed set with ICMB 03555<br />
having highest mean seed set of 67%. Seven other inbreds (6 B-lines and 1 R-line) were found to have 60-70%<br />
seed set SSC. ICTP 8202 had highest overall mean of 64% seed set with wide variation at all the four locations<br />
(29- 96%). Three germplasm lines IP 19799, IP 19877 and IP 19843 had about 45-55% seed set.<br />
Based on the two year multilocational screening (2009 and <strong>2010</strong>) two A/B pairs ICMB 92777 and ICMB 05666<br />
were found to have good seed set at ≥ 42 ◦ C air temperature. Five lines (4 B- and 1 R-line) were found as heat<br />
tolerant on the basis of <strong>2010</strong> screening which needs further validation in multi year and multi location testing.<br />
SK Gupta, KN Rai and Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone 5B.5.1.2: Relationship between hybrids and their parental lines for tolerance to high temperatures<br />
during reproductive stage quantified (<strong>2010</strong>) (KNR/SKG/VV)<br />
Based on the field experiments in 2009, some heat tolerant and heat susceptible parents were identified. In rainy<br />
season <strong>2010</strong>, test crosses were generated utilizing these identified parents. The test crosses along with identified<br />
parents will be screened in summer 2011 for high temperature during reproductive stage to investigate the<br />
relationship between hybrids and their parental lines for tolerance to high temperatures.<br />
SK Gupta, KN Rai and Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone 5.1.3: QTL for high temperature tolerance from two diverse mapping populations identified<br />
(KNR/RB/VV, 2012)<br />
Output 5C: Germplasm and improved breeding lines with high and stable grain Fe and Zn density in<br />
sorghum and pearl millet made available to specific partners biennially (from 2008) with associated<br />
knowledge and capacity building.<br />
II. Sorghum<br />
Output 5C: Germplasm and improved breeding lines with high and stable grain Fe and Zn density in<br />
sorghum and pearl millet made available to specific partners biennially (from 2008) with associated<br />
knowledge and capacity building<br />
Output target 5C.1: Sorghum germplasm lines/breeding lines with stable and high grain Fe (40-50 ppm)<br />
and Zn (30-40 ppm) contents identified and their character association, and inheritance studied (2009)<br />
Activity 5C.1.1: Screening of germplasm and breeding lines for grain Fe and Zn and evaluating for grain<br />
yield and agronomic traits.<br />
Milestone 5C.1.1.1: At least five sorghum germplasm/breeding lines with stable and high grain Fe (>50 ppm)<br />
and Zn (>40 ppm) contents identified and made available for partners (AAK/BVSR/HDU, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
239
Micronutrient malnutrition (especially of Fe and Zn) is a major health problem in the developing countries.<br />
Biofortification is a cost effective and sustainable solution to combat micronutrient malnutrition. It complements<br />
well the supplementation and fortification methods currently being employed to address micronutrient<br />
malnutrition. Identification of high grain high Fe and Zn lines from the established B-lines and R-lines helps in<br />
quick development of varieties and hybrids.<br />
A total of 250 established sorghum B-lines, two sets of commercial sorghum cultivars (Set I: 22 and Set II: 46<br />
cultivars) were evaluated in RCBD trials with three replications (plot size 2 rows of 2m length) at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-<br />
Patancheru to assess their grain Fe and Zn contents. We also evaluated 41 core germplasm accessions<br />
previously selected for high grain Fe (>50 ppm) and/or grain Zn (>35 ppm) in the 2009 postrainy season.<br />
Hybrid Parents<br />
The grain Fe and Zn contents of 250 B-lines developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> was validated. The mean performance of<br />
the 252 <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred sorghum B-lines evaluated in a three replicated RCBD trial for two years (2008 and<br />
2009 postrainy seasons) for grain Fe and Zn contents had that the lines ranged for grain Fe content from 28 to<br />
48 ppm with an average Fe content of 36 ppm (SE+: 2.83) and for grain Zn content from 14 to 29 ppm with an<br />
average Zn content of 21 ppm (SE+: 1.33). The controls – ICSB 52 and 296B had 35 and 37 ppm grain Fe and<br />
both had 19 ppm grain Zn. Twenty-one B-lines were significantly superior (by 3 to 19%) to the control, 296 B<br />
for grain Fe ranging from 42 to 48 ppm and 3 to 40% superior for grain Zn contents ranging from 21 to 29 ppm.<br />
ICSB 10 (Fe 48 ppm and Zn 24 ppm), ICSB 263 (Fe 47 ppm and Zn 25 ppm), ICSB 399 (Fe 47 ppm and Zn 27<br />
ppm), and ICSB 289 (Fe 42 ppm and Zn 29 ppm) had significantly higher for Fe (by 3 to 19%) and higher Zn<br />
(by 16 to 40%) contents compared to the control 296 B (Fe 37 ppm and Zn 19 ppm).<br />
Hybrids Set 1:<br />
The mean performance of the 22 commercial cultivars for two years (2008 and 2009 postrainy seasons) for grain<br />
Fe content ranged from 30 to 44 ppm (SE+: 2.76) and grain Zn content from 22 to 32 ppm (SE+: 2.00). The<br />
controls - PVK 801 and CSH 16 had 43 and 41 ppm grain Fe and 30 and 28 ppm grain Zn. Four hybrids–NSH<br />
703, GK 4035, Mahabeej 703 and NSH 702 were superior to the control, CSH 16 for grain Fe content that<br />
ranged from 43 to 44 ppm, while six genotypes had grain Zn content ranging from 29 to 33 ppm and were<br />
superior to the control CSH 16. Among the varieties, PVK 801 had higher grain Fe (43 ppm) and Zn contents<br />
(30 ppm) than the other varieties. PVK 801 is a white grained high yielding, grain mold resistant variety and<br />
also has high grain Fe and Zn contents.<br />
Hybrids Set 2:<br />
Evaluation of 46 commercial hybrids showed the Fe contents ranging from 22 to 39 ppm and Zn contents from<br />
15 to 29 ppm with an average Fe content of 32.3 ppm (SE+: 2.24) and average Zn content of 21.4 ppm (SE+:<br />
1.25). Twenty lines had higher grain Fe and Zn contents than the trial mean. The controls PVK 801 and CSH 16<br />
had Fe content 37 and 33 ppm and Zn content 21 and 23 ppm respectively. Three commercial hybrids -<br />
Mahabeej 706 (Fe: 39 ppm; Zn: 25 ppm), KSH 950 (Fe: 39 ppm; Zn: 24 ppm), and HTJH 6290 (Fe: 37 ppm;<br />
Zn: 26 ppm),) were superior for Fe (by 7 to 12%) and Zn contents (by 4 to 10%) than CSH 16. All these four<br />
hybrids were superior (by 6 to 47%) for grain yield also with 3.4 to 4.7 t ha -1 over CSH 16 (2.82 t ha -1 SE+:<br />
0.38) with similar flowering time (68 to 72 days).<br />
In the germplasm accessions trial, the grain samples were collected carefully from experimental plots and under<br />
processing for Fe and Zn estimations.<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Milestone 5C.1.1.2: Correlations of grain Fe and Zn contents with grain yield and size and agronomic traits<br />
estimated (BVSR, 2008)<br />
A total of 22 commercial sorghum cultivars developed in India by the Indian NARS in partnership with the<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> or the NARS alone were evaluated along with two controls (CSH 16 and PVK 801) during the 2008<br />
and 2009 postrainy seasons at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru to study their mean performance and character<br />
associationships.<br />
Highly significant positive correlation between the grain Fe and Zn content (r = 0.853; P
mechanisms were interconnected for Fe and Zn uptake/translocation in the grains. These results point to the<br />
potential of simultaneous genetic improvement for both the micronutrients.<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Milestone 5C.1.1.3: G×E interactions for grain Fe and Zn contents assessed (BVSR/HDU, 2008)<br />
A study was carried out at the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> farm in Patancheru, India to determine the effects of micronutrient<br />
fertilization on sorghum grain Fe and Zn contents.<br />
Material used in the study comprised of a set of selected 12 sorghum lines with high and low grain Fe and Zn<br />
contents. These lines were grown on Vertisols and Alfisols with a combination of five different levels of<br />
micronutrients in the 2007 postrainy season. No deficiency of Fe or Zn was observed in these soils based on the<br />
soil test results before experimentation. To rule out the possible confounding effect of the deficiency of other<br />
micronutrients such as boron (B) and sulphur (S), Fe and Zn fertilization was combined with recommended<br />
levels of boron and sulphur. The experiment was laid out in a strip-plot design with three replications. The data<br />
were collected on plant growth traits and grain yield and seed samples were analyzed for grain Fe and Zn<br />
contents estimation.<br />
The analysis of variance indicated significant genetic variability among the genotypes. Soil type did not have<br />
significant effect on grain Fe and Zn content. A non-significant variance due to micronutrient fertilization levels<br />
suggested no influence of soil micronutrient fertilization on grain Fe and Zn contents in any particular soil type.<br />
While no pattern was observed for grain Fe content, grain Zn content seemed to be marginally higher when<br />
grown on the Alfisols than in Vertisols.<br />
Micronutrient application with Fe and Zn fertilizers and soil type has limited effect on grain Fe and Zn contents<br />
when the soils are not deficient in these minerals. Hence, genetic enhancement for grain Fe and Zn-contents<br />
should be given priority.<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Activity 5C 1.2: Conduct inheritance studies and develop mapping populations for Fe and Zn.<br />
Milestone 5C.1.2.1: Genetics of grain Fe and Zn established (AAK/BVSR, 2012)<br />
Understanding the inheritance of the traits help in shaping the breeding programs for improving the grain Fe and<br />
Zn contents.<br />
Two crosses involving contrasting parents were made for developing various filial and backcross generations for<br />
studying the inheritance. Similarly three sets of crosses were using contrasting parents (in diallel fashion) for<br />
study the gene action and combining ability.<br />
1. Different generations will be developed (F 1 , F 2 , BC 1 and BC 2 ) using the contrasting parents for making<br />
crosses (2 crosses for Fe; 2 for Zn and 2 for Fe and Zn) to carry out inheritance studies at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>,<br />
Patancheru. The development of various generations (F 1 , F 2 , BC 1 and BC 2 ) is in progress for studying the<br />
inheritance of grain Fe and Zn contents.<br />
2. The per se performance and gca effects of parents and sca effects of diallel crosses for grain Fe and Zn<br />
contents were assessed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru by evaluation of diallel crosses developed using<br />
contrasting parents (Three trials will be conducted: For Fe and Zn (19 F 1 s and five parents, 3 replications),<br />
for Fe (28 F 1 s and six parents, 3 replications), and for Zn (12 F 1 s and four parents, 3 replications). The<br />
grain analysis for Fe and Zn contents will be carried out in 2011.<br />
3. Genotype and genotype × soil micro nutrients fertilization interactions for grain Fe and Zn contents<br />
assessed in watershed areas at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru or in farmers’ fields (<strong>2010</strong>). The soil samples<br />
collected from two farmer’s fields from Ibrahimbad area, Medak District were analyzed and deficiencies<br />
for micronutrients observed. One field was high for Fe and P, medium for K and low for Zn, b and S.<br />
Another field was high for Fe and low for Zn, B, S, P, and K. An on-farm trial with 12 sorghum cultivars<br />
was planted in above two farmers’ fields in a triplicate trial with external application of Fe, Zn, B and S<br />
(making six possible treatment combinations- 1. No treatment, 2. Fe alone, 3. Zn alone, 4. Fe, B and S, 5.<br />
Zn, B and S and Fe, Zn, B and S).<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Belum VS Reddy<br />
241
II. Pearl millet<br />
Output target 5C.1: Magnitude of variability for grain iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn) in more than 300 inbred<br />
lines, 50 improved populations, 400 germplasm accessions, and 40 commercial hybrids of pearl millet<br />
quantified, and at least three lines and three populations with high levels of Fe (65-75 ppm) and Zn (45-55<br />
ppm) identified (2009)<br />
Activity 5C1.1: Evaluation of germplasm, breeding lines and improved populations for grain Fe and Zn<br />
contents<br />
Milestone 5C.1.1.1: Variability for Fe and Zn in designated hybrid parents, population progenies and improved<br />
populations developed in Asia and African region quantified (KNR/SKG/KLS, 2007)<br />
Earlier studies, based on the analyses of selfed grain samples, had shown large variability both for Fe and Zn<br />
content. A study conducted during the 2009 rainy season (see 5C.2.1.1) had shown that reduction in seed set<br />
under selfing can lead to variable overestimates of both Fe and Zn content, the extent of overestimate depending<br />
on the extent of reduction in seed set and the genotype. Thus, hybrid parents, population progenies, germplasm<br />
accessions, OPVs, and hybrids previously found for high Fe and/or Zn content were re-evaluated during the<br />
<strong>2010</strong> and analyzed for Fe and Zn content using open–pollinated grain samples and an XRF (X-ray Fluorescence<br />
Spectrometer) screening technique.<br />
Designated seed parents<br />
Seventy B-lines (counterparts of the designated A-lines), which included those previously identified for high Fe<br />
content (based on selfed grain samples) and new B-lines were evaluated in a 2-replication trial during the <strong>2010</strong><br />
rainy season at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and partners locations. Based on the mean performance at 5 locations, large<br />
variability both for Fe content (26-81ppm) and Zn content (27-44 ppm) was observed among these lines. ICMB<br />
06444 had the highest Fe content (81 ppm). This B-line is a direct selection from an Extra-early B-composite<br />
(EEBC), which flowered in 46 days. However, this line had only 36 ppm Zn content. Eighteen other lines had<br />
>60 ppm Fe and 36-44 ppm Zn content.<br />
Potential restorer lines<br />
Four sets of hybrids were tested in the initial hybrid trials (IHTs) during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and at partners test locations<br />
in India. This included IHT-1 and IHT-2 tested in peninsular India; and IHT-3 and IHT-4 tested in northern India. Pollen parents of<br />
IHT-1 and IHT-2 were tested in 2-replication trials in hybrid parental trial-1 and those of IHT-3 and IHT-4 in hybrid parental trial-2.<br />
ICTP 8203 and ICMB 88004 were used as high-Fe controls in both trials. XRF analysis of grain samples of 40 parental lines produced<br />
at Patancheru showed a wide range both for Fe (33-94 ppm) and Zn content (24-56) in the hybrid parental trial-1. High iron controls<br />
ICTP 8203 and ICMB 88004 had 55 and 57 ppm Fe, respectively. Twenty-nine lines exceeded the Fe level of ICMB 88004, and 16<br />
of these had >70 ppm Fe (almost all these having >40 ppm Zn). In 28 lines of the hybrid parental trial-2, Fe content varied from 30 to 84<br />
ppm and Zn content varied from 30 to 66 ppm with ICTP 8203 having 79 ppm Fe and ICMB 88004 having 56 ppm Fe content.<br />
Fourteen lines in this trial exceeded the Fe level of ICMB 88004, with five of these having >70 ppm Fe, and four of these having 42-66<br />
ppm Zn content.<br />
Similar to the IHTs, four testcross trials (TXTs) were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and<br />
partners locations TXT-1 and TXT-2 in peninsular India, and TXT-3 and TXT-4 in northern India. Pollen<br />
parents of these hybrids were evaluated in 2-replication at Patancheru in the corresponding parental trials in the<br />
respective regions. ICTP 8203 and ICMB 88004 were used as high-Fe controls in all four trials. TXT parental<br />
trial-1 consisted of 58 lines. The Fe content among these lines varied from 34 to 102 ppm and Zn content from<br />
27 to 61 ppm. The duplicate plots of ICTP 8203 had 67 and 72 ppm Fe, while the duplicate plots of ICMB<br />
88004 had 48 and 50 ppm Fe. Thirty nine lines had >50 ppm Fe. Of these, 13 lines had >70 ppm Fe and all but<br />
one had >50 ppm Zn content. The testcross parental trial-2 had 59 entries in which the Fe content varied from<br />
37 to 91 ppm and Zn content varied from 29 to 66 ppm. ICTP 8203 had 74 ppm Fe and 53 ppm Zn, while<br />
ICMB 88004 had 45 ppm Fe and 38 ppm Zn content. Forty three lines had > 50 ppm Fe. Of these, 16 lines had<br />
>70 ppm Fe content, of which 11 lines had >50 ppm Zn content. Testcross parental trial-3 consisted of 50 lines.<br />
The Fe content in these lines varied from 30 to 112 ppm and Zn content from 28 to 68 ppm (61 ppm Fe in<br />
ICMB 88004 and 68 ppm Fe in ICTP 8203). Twenty one lines in this trial had >50 ppm Fe content. Of these, 8<br />
lines had >70 ppm Fe and 45-62 ppm Zn content (46 ppm in ICTP 8203 and 48 ppm in ICMB 88004).<br />
Testcross parental trial-4 consisted of 39 lines. The Fe content in these lines varied from 27 to 102 ppm and Zn<br />
content from 24 to 72 ppm. Twenty-five lines in this trial had >50 ppm Fe content. The two duplicate plots of<br />
ICTP 8203 had 62 and 73 ppm Fe, while the two duplicate plots of ICMB 88004 had 57-58 ppm Fe content.<br />
242
Thirteen lines had >70 ppm Fe and 44-60 ppm Zn content (45-50 ppm Zn in ICTP 8203 and 41-42 ppm Zn in<br />
ICMB 88004).<br />
Advanced breeding lines of pearl millet<br />
Large variability for various traits exists among advanced breeding lines that are bred for eventual use in hybrid<br />
parents development. These are systematically screened to identify those with high Fe and Zn content in elite<br />
genetic backgrounds. We selected 682 seed parents progenies from breeding blocks in 2009. These were<br />
evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. Based on agronomic score and open-pollinated seed set, 562 progenies<br />
were selected for Fe and Zn analysis. The Fe content in these progenies varied from 11 to 123 ppm. Fifty-two<br />
progenies had >80 ppm Fe, of which 35 progenies had >90 ppm (>50 ppm Zn in 30 progenies). Similarly, 1014<br />
restorer progenies were selected from breeding blocks in 2009, which were evaluated during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy<br />
season. Based on agronomic score and open-pollinated seed set, 783 progenies were selected for Fe and Zn<br />
analysis. The Fe content in these progenies varied from 19 to 156 ppm. Forty-six progenies had >90 ppm Fe, of<br />
which 30 progenies had even >100 ppm Fe (>60 ppm Zn in 26 progenies). In seed parents as well as restorer<br />
parents program, progenies at F 5 /F 6 stage and onwards are advanced and maintained by bulk pedigree breeding,<br />
and the most promising ones are grouped into various trait-specific nurseries. Thus, some of most promising<br />
ones with multiple traits get grouped into more than one nurseries, where they all are advanced by bulk pedigree<br />
method. Since these progenies were drawn from various trait-specific nurseries and from two seasons, we have<br />
yet to analyze their pedigree relationships.<br />
Population progenies<br />
S 1 to S 4 progenies from seven populations earlier identified for high Fe content based on selfed grain samples<br />
were re-evaluated for visually assessed D agronomic performance and Fe and Zn content in un-replicated<br />
nurseries at Patancheru during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. The late planting of these nurseries affected the seed set.<br />
Since seed set has been found to overestimate both Fe and Zn content, seed set of open-pollinated panicles was<br />
recorded lines showing below average seed set were rejected, and hence not analyzed for Fe and Zn content.<br />
More than 190 S 2 -S 4 progenies of ICTP 8203 (the highest-Fe OPV identified so far) were evaluated, of which<br />
160 were selected based on agronomic performance and seed set. Analysis of these 160 progenies identified 87<br />
progenies that had 60-147 ppm Fe and 46-96 ppm Zn content (73 Fe and 62 Zn in ICTP 8203; 72 Fe and 57 Zn<br />
in ICMB 88004). Twenty three lines had >100 ppm Fe and 59-96 ppm Zn content. Out of 97 S 1 progenies of<br />
ICMV 221 (another high-Fe OPV), 86 were selected based on agronomic score, and seed set. These had 31-143<br />
ppm Fe and 36-82 ppm Zn content (ICTP 8203 had 77-98 ppm Fe and 69-70 ppm Zn, while ICMB 88004 had<br />
56-87 ppm Fe and 51-53 ppm Zn). Of these, 19 progenies had >90 ppm Fe (>100 ppm in 8 progenies) and 60-<br />
82 ppm Zn content. In AIMP 92901 (a moderately high-Fe OPV), 104 S 1 progenies were evaluated, of which<br />
96 were selected based on agronomic performances and seed set. The Fe content in these progenies varied from<br />
40 to 104 ppm and Zn content from 41 to 79 ppm. (68-75 ppm Fe and 54-70 ppm Zn in ICTP 8203; and 72-94<br />
ppm Fe and 62 ppm Zn in ICMB 88004). Twenty seven progenies had >75 ppm Fe, of which 8 lines had > 90<br />
ppm Fe and 57-79 ppm Zn content.<br />
ICMR 312 is a high-yielding population pollen parent of a high-yielding top cross hybrid (ICMH 312). We<br />
evaluated 108 S 1 progenies from this population and all were analyzed for Fe and Zn content. The Fe content in<br />
these progenies varied from 34 to 96 ppm and Zn content from 35 to 69 ppm (83-85 ppm Fe and 54-64 ppm Zn<br />
in ICTP 8203; and 60-63 ppm Fe and 52-55 ppm Zn in ICMB 88004). Twenty two progenies had >75 ppm Fe,<br />
of which 8 progenies had 85-96 ppm Fe and 50-69 ppm Zn content.<br />
Bold-seeded early composite (BSEC) is the parental source population from which ICMV 221 was developed.<br />
So we explored the variability within BSEC. From an evaluation of 55 S 1 progenies of this composite, 53<br />
progenies were analyzed that showed 37-93 ppm Fe and 36-75 ppm Zn content (73 ppm Fe and 65 ppm Zn in<br />
ICTP 8203; and 65 ppm Fe and 49 ppm Zn in ICMB 88004). Nineteen progenies had >70 ppm Fe, of which 7<br />
progenies had >80 ppm Fe and 57-74 ppm Zn content.<br />
S 2 /S 3 progenies in two populations (CGP and GGP) introduced from WCA were also evaluated for withinpopulation<br />
variability for Fe and Zn content. We evaluated 61 progenies of CGP, of which 47 were selected and<br />
analyzed for Fe and Zn content. The Fe content in these progenies varied from 48 to 102 ppm and Zn content<br />
from 38 to 87 ppm (98 ppm Fe and 59 ppm Zn in ICTP 8203; and 83 ppm Fe and 50 Zn in ICMB 88004).<br />
Thirty eight progenies had >60 ppm Fe, of which 14 progenies had >80 ppm and 57-87 ppm Zn content. In<br />
GGP, we evaluated 49 progenies and selected 33 progenies which had 43-130 ppm and 32-92 ppm Zn content<br />
(101 ppm Fe and 63 Zn in ICTP 8203; and 83 ppm Fe and 50 ppm Zn in ICMB 88004). Sixteen progenies had<br />
>85 ppm Fe and 54-92 ppm Zn content.<br />
243
F 3 /F 4 progenies derived from high Fe B x B crosses<br />
Development of high-yielding and high-Fe hybrids depends on the availability of high-yielding and high-Fe<br />
parental lines, which must be bred by planned crossing program, as for any other trait. We evaluated more than<br />
440 F 3 progenies derived from 8 F 2 populations, and more than 320 F 4 progenies derived from six<br />
F 2 2populations. Based on agronomic performance during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 155 F 3 progenies were selected<br />
in which the Fe content varied from 37 to 115 ppm. Of these, 23 progenies had >75 ppm Fe content, of which<br />
17 progenies had 55-72 ppm Zn content. In the 7 control plots of ICMB 88004 (a high-Fe designated B-line),<br />
the Fe content varied from 60 to 67 ppm (83 ppm in one plot) and zinc content in these 8 plots varied from 52 to<br />
60 ppm. In the F 4 progenies, Fe content varied from 39 to 124 ppm. Of these, 97 progenies had >75 ppm Fe<br />
content, of which 74 progenies had 55-96 ppm Zn content (>65 ppm Zn in 18 progenies). The Fe content in<br />
ICMB 88004 in this progeny block varied from 61-77 ppm and Zn content from 54 to 66 ppm.<br />
KN Rai, SK Gupta and KL Sahrawat<br />
Milestone 5C.1.1.2: Variability for Fe and Zn in iniari germplasm, core collection and commercial hybrids<br />
assessed (KNR/SKG/HDU/KLS,2008)<br />
Iniari accessions<br />
Earlier studies in 2009, based on the analysis of selfed grain samples of 202 iniari accessions, had shown this<br />
germplasm as the most promising source of Fe content. Since reduced seed set leads to variable overestimates<br />
of Fe and Zn content, we discarded those accessions with low Fe content and re-evaluated 193 selected<br />
accessions during the <strong>2010</strong> post rainy and rainy season in 2-replication trials at Patancheru to validate the results<br />
using open-pollinated grain samples. The grain samples from these trials are yet to be analyzed. However,<br />
based on the data from selfed grain samples in 2009, 110 high-Fe accessions had also been planted in a high-Fe<br />
block during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. XRF analysis of open-pollinated grain samples of 87 accessions selected on<br />
the basis of agronomic score and seed set from this nursery showed a wide range, both for Fe (41-141 ppm) and<br />
Zn content (36-87 ppm). Nineteen accessions had >100 ppm Fe and all but one of these had 63-84 ppm Zn<br />
content. An accession (IP 17672) that had been identified for high-Fe content in 2009 trials had 101 ppm and<br />
64 ppm Zn in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season trial as well. It was examined for within-population variability. Evaluation of<br />
47 S 1 progenies from this accession in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season showed Fe ranging from 70 to 114 ppm and Zn<br />
ranging from 51 to 74 ppm.<br />
Core Collection<br />
Core collection evaluation provides a systematic and cost-effective practical approach for wider search of<br />
germplasm to identify diverse sources of any trait. Thus, pearl millet core collection, consisting of 504<br />
accessions was evaluated during the 2009 post rainy season. Of these, 428 accessions flowered in time to<br />
permit production of selfed grain samples. These were analyzed in <strong>2010</strong>. Results showed large variation both<br />
for Fe (22-185 ppm) and Zn content (19-116 ppm). Forty one accessions had >100 ppm Fe and 71-116 ppm Zn<br />
content. However, since these are estimated from selfed grain samples, we selected 216 accessions with >70<br />
ppm Fe content which will be further evaluated for Fe/Zn analysis using open-pollinated grain samples.<br />
KN Rai, SK Gupta, HD Upadhyaya and KL Sahrawat<br />
High-iron pearl millet hybrids<br />
Three-pronged approaches are being followed to identify/develop high-yielding and high-iron hybrids in pearl<br />
millet. The first approach is to identify high-iron hybrids from amongst those already under cultivation or in the<br />
pipeline. The second approach is to systematically screen hybrids in the advanced hybrid trials of the All India<br />
Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICPMIP), which will have already passed two years of yield<br />
test in multilocational trials. The third approach is to develop high-yielding and high-iron hybrids using existing<br />
parental lines found to be having high iron content. Development of high-iron parental lines for high-yielding<br />
and high-iron hybrid development is a long-term vision of pearl millet biofortification program.<br />
Commercial hybrids: Ninety-two commercial and pipeline hybrids, both from public and private sector, had<br />
been evaluated at Patancheru during the 2009 rainy season. Based on the analysis of selfed grain samples, 38<br />
high-iron hybrids had been selected and re-evaluated at 16 locations. We received good grain samples only from<br />
6 locations. The Fe content in these hybrids for Patancheru grain sample varied from 35 to 58 Fe with the<br />
control hybrid KH 302 being the highest-Fe hybrid (67 ppm Fe in ICTP 8203). The corresponding ICP Fe<br />
values for KH 302 and ICTP 8203 were 53 ppm and 63 ppm, respectively. The Zn content in these hybrids<br />
varied from 31 ppm to 45 ppm (44 ppm in KH 302 and 40 ppm in ICTP 8203). Based on Patancheru results, 12<br />
hybrids with high Fe were analyzed for grain samples from 4 out-locations for which good grain samples had<br />
been received. The trial mean of these hybrids, based on XRF analysis, varied from 50 ppm Fe at Patancheru to<br />
244
76 ppm Fe at Paithan in Maharashtra. Based on the average performance across all the five locations, the Fe<br />
content among these hybrids varied from 50 to 75 ppm (63 ppm in control KH 302 and 74 ppm in ICTP 8203).<br />
AICPMIP’s advanced hybrid trials: While the targeted development of high-iron hybrids in high-yielding<br />
background based on the utilization of high-iron hybrid parents has been initiated, routine screening of hybrids<br />
in the advanced trials of the All India Coordinated Pearl Millet Improvement Project (AICPMIP) has also been<br />
undertaken with the objective of (1) assessing the magnitude of variability for Fe and Zn in those hybrids, and<br />
(2) identification of high-Fe hybrids in high-yield background for possible release as biofortified hybrids. Thus,<br />
grain samples of 16 hybrids each from a medium duration trial (10 locations) and a long-duration trial (9<br />
locations) grown in peninsular India were produced and supplied by the AICPMIP centers. Similarly, grain<br />
samples of 21 hybrids each from a medium-duration trial (10 locations) and a long-duration trial (8 locations)<br />
grown in northern India were also produced and supplied by the AICPMIP centers. These are yet to be analyzed<br />
for Fe and Zn content.<br />
Initial hybrid trials: The first phase of producing high-yielding and high-Fe hybrids involves the use of<br />
available high-Fe seed parents and potential restorers to demonstrate that high-Fe hybrids can be produced<br />
without compromising on grain yield. Four multi-locational hybrid trials that consisted of hybrids selected on<br />
the basis of visually assessed multi-location performance in 2009 testcross trials and grain Fe content of their<br />
parental lines were re-evaluated for grain yield, agronomic performance and Fe and Zn content in multilocational<br />
trials (including Patancheru) during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. Open- pollinated grain samples were used<br />
for Fe/Zn analysis.<br />
Initial hybrid trial-1, consisting of 36 test hybrids and four controls (KH 302 and MRB 2210 as high-Fe hybrids,<br />
ICTP 8203 as high-Fe OPV, and 86M52 as high-yielding hybrid) was sent out to 10 locations in peninsular<br />
India. Reliable grain yield data could be generated at 5 locations. The mean grain yield of hybrids varied from<br />
1860 kg ha -1 to 3970 kg ha -1 . Based on the XRF analysis of grain samples from Patancheru, the Fe content in<br />
these hybrids varied from 38 to 82 ppm. Fourteen hybrids that were selected based on agronomic scores, mean<br />
grain yield and mean Fe content across the locations had 2510-3970 kg ha -1 grain yield, and 53-72 ppm Fe<br />
content. In comparison, 86M52 had 3790 kg ha -1 grain yield and 41 ppm Fe, while KH 302 and MRB 2210<br />
had respectively, 2980 kg ha -1 , 3150 kg ha -1 grain yield, and 56 ppm and 62 ppm Fe (ICTP 8203 had 2420 kg<br />
ha -1 grain yield and 72 ppm Fe content). This trial identified experimental hybrids that had grain yield<br />
comparable to 86M52 and higher Fe content. It also identified hybrids that were comparable to MRB 2210 both<br />
for grain yield and Fe content. Based on the analysis of all 36 hybrids in the trial, grain yield at Patancheru was<br />
not significantly correlated either with Fe content (r=-0.15) or Zn content (r=0.20) (note that Fe data for all<br />
hybrids were available only for Patancheru grain samples).<br />
Initial hybrid trial-2, consisting of 36 test hybrids and the same four controls as in trial-1 above, was conducted<br />
at Patancheru and 10 partners’ locations in peninsular India. Reliable grain yield data could be generated at 7<br />
locations (in addition to Patancheru). Based on the mean performance across the locations, 18 hybrids were<br />
identified that had 3130-5020 kg ha -1 grain yield and 49-74 ppm Fe content. 86M52 had 4880 kg ha -1 grain yield<br />
and 42 ppm Fe content. KH 302 and MRB 2210 had 4000-4160 kg ha -1 grain yield, and 61 ppm and 48 ppm Fe<br />
content, respectively (ICTP 8203 had 2820 kg ha -1 grain yield and 71 ppm Fe content). Results of this trial also<br />
showed that hybrids comparable to 86M52 for grain yield but with higher Fe content or comparable to KH 302<br />
and MRB 2210 for Fe content but with higher grain yield could be produced. Based on the analysis of all 40<br />
hybrids in the trial, grain yield at Patancheru was not significantly correlated either with Fe content (r=-0.04) or<br />
Zn content (r=-0.13) (note that Fe data for all hybrids were available only for Patancheru grain samples).<br />
Initial hybrid trial-3, consisting of 26 test hybrids and four controls (86M54 and 9444 as high-yield controls; and<br />
KH 302 and ICTP 8203 a high-Fe controls) was conducted at Patancheru and sent out to 12 locations in northern<br />
India. Reliable grain yield data could be generated at 6 locations. Based on the mean grain yield, agronomic<br />
score and Fe content, 11 hybrids were identified in which grain yield varied from 2200 to 2860 kg ha -1 and Fe<br />
content from 42 to 61 ppm. Hybrids 86M54 and 9444, respectively, had 2780 kg ha -1 and 3310 kg ha -1 grain<br />
yield, and 48 ppm and 36 ppm Fe content. KH 302 had 2420 kg ha -1 grain yield and 50 ppm Fe, while ICTP<br />
8203 had 2070 kg ha -1 grain yield 59 ppm Fe content. Thus, hybrids having 86% of the grain yield of the<br />
highest-yielding control 9444, but 44% higher Fe could be produced. However, several hybrids having Fe<br />
content comparable to KH 302, but 14-16% higher grain yield were also identified. Based on the analysis of all<br />
26 hybrids in the trial, grain yield at Patancheru was significantly and negatively correlated both with Fe content (r=-0.74 ** ) and<br />
Zn content (r=-60 ** ) (note that Fe data for all hybrids were available only for Patancheru grain samples).<br />
245
Initial hybrid trial-4, consisting of 26 test hybrids and the four controls as in trial-3, was conducted at<br />
Patancheru and sent out to 8 locations in northern India. Reliable grain yield data could be generated at 5<br />
locations. Based on the mean grain yield, agronomic score and Fe content, 13 hybrids were selected that had<br />
1630-4200 kg ha -1 grain yield and 38-71 ppm Fe content. Hybrids 86M54 and 9444, respectively, had 3260 kg<br />
ha -1 and 4510 kg ha -1 grain yield, and 42 ppm and 38 ppm Fe content, while KH 302 had 3110 kg ha -1 grain<br />
yield and 54 ppm Fe content (ICTP 8203 had 2480 kg ha -1 grain yield 63 ppm Fe content). A hybrid with 94%<br />
grain yield that of 9444 but with 20% higher Fe content was identified. Hybrids with yield comparable but<br />
higher Fe content, or Fe comparable but higher grain yield than KH 302 were also identified. Based on the<br />
analysis of all 26 hybrids in the trial, grain yield at Patancheru was not significantly correlated either with Fe<br />
content (r=-0.36) or Zn content (r=-0.24) (note that Fe data for all hybrids were available only for Patancheru<br />
grain samples).<br />
Testcross trials: In an effort to develop high-yielding and high-iron hybrids, production and evaluation of new<br />
testcrosses adapted to peninsular and northern India continued. Two testcross trials (TXT-1 and TXT-2) for<br />
peninsular India, and two testcross trials (TXT-3 and TXT-4) for northern India were constituted, and each was<br />
evaluated at Patancheru as well as at least at three locations in the target regions. All four trials were planted in<br />
single-row plots, replicated twice and visually evaluated for yield potential and agronomic traits. Openpollinated<br />
grain samples were collected for Fe/Zn analysis.<br />
TXT-1 consisted of 106 test hybrids of which 30 were selected based on across-location agronomic score, and<br />
Fe value in grain samples from Patancheru for further evaluation. The Fe content in these selected hybrids<br />
(based on Patancheru grain samples) varied from 42 to 76 ppm ( 48 and 55 ppm in duplicate plots of KH 302<br />
and 60 and 66 ppm in duplicate plots of ICTP 8203). The Zn content in these hybrids varied from 31 to 49 ppm<br />
(39-43 ppm in KH 302 and 42-47 ppm in ICTP 8203). TXT-2 consisted of 108 test hybrids, of which 26 were<br />
selected based on multi-locational performance and Fe content from Patancheru samples. The Fe content in<br />
these selected hybrids varied from 42 to 75 ppm (49 and 51 ppm in KH 302, and 59 and 70 ppm in ICTP 8203).<br />
The Zn content in these selected hybrids varied from 35 to 48 ppm (38 and 43 ppm in KH 302, and 42 and 50<br />
ppm in ICTP 8203).<br />
TXT-3 consisted of 94 test hybrids, of which 20 were selected based on multi-locational agronomic<br />
performance and Fe content from Patancheru grain samples. The Fe content in these selected hybrids varied<br />
from 44 to 76 ppm (53 and 57 ppm in KH 302, and 62 and 68 ppm in ICTP 8203). The Zn content in these<br />
hybrids varied from 37 to 53 ppm (44 ppm in KH 302, and 46 and 51 ppm in ICTP 8203). TXT-4 consisted of<br />
108 test hybrids, of which 22 were selected based on multilocation performance and Fe content in Patancheru<br />
grain samples. The Fe content in these selected hybrids varied from 50 to 73 ppm (47 and 61 ppm in KH 302,<br />
and 61 and 63 ppm in ICTP 8203). The Zn content in these hybrids varied from 38 to 54 ppm (44 and 44 ppm in<br />
KH 302, and 45 and 46 ppm in ICTP 8203).<br />
KN Rai, SK Gupta and KL Sahrawat<br />
Milestone 5C.1.1.3: G×E interaction for Fe and Zn assessed and lines stable for >70 ppm Fe and >50 ppm Zn<br />
identified (KNR/SKG/KLS, 2009)<br />
Two sets of multilocational trials were conducted during the rainy season of 2006-2009 to assess G x E<br />
interaction and stability of lines for Fe and Zn content. Set I trial, consisting of 30 entries (mostly inbred lines),<br />
was conducted at 6 locations in 2006 and at 8 locations in 2009. These have been analyzed for Fe and Zn<br />
content. Set II trial, consisting of 20 OPVs, was conducted at 8 locations in 2008 and at 6 locations in 2009. The<br />
2008 grain samples have been analyzed for Fe and Zn content. The 2009 grain samples are yet to be analyzed.<br />
KN Rai, SK Gupta and KL Sahrawat<br />
Output target 5C.2: Information on genetics and recurrent selection efficiency for grain Fe and Zn<br />
available (2009)<br />
Activity 5C2.1: Conduct genetical studies and recurrent selection for grain Fe and Zn contents and develop<br />
mapping populations<br />
Milestone 5C.2.1.1: Inheritance of Fe and Zn and relationship between the parental lines and hybrids for these<br />
traits determined (KNR/SKG/KLS, 2009)<br />
246
Genetics of Fe and Zn content in pearl millet<br />
An earlier diallel study had shown that both Fe and Zn content in pearl millet are predominantly under additive<br />
genetic control with no better-parent heterosis, implying that the breeding of high-Fe/Zn hybrid will require both<br />
parental line having higher Fe/Zn content. This subject has since been further pursued to develop an in-depth<br />
understanding of the genetics of Fe and Zn content. First set of Line x Testes trial involving hybrids between 8<br />
lines and 7 testers was conducted during the rainy and post rainy season of 2009 and grain samples were<br />
analyzed in <strong>2010</strong>. Results showed that while the main effects due to lines as well as testers were highly<br />
significant in both seasons for both micronutrients, Line x Tester effect was significant for Fe only in the rainy<br />
season and for Zn only in the post rainy season. Further, where Line x Tester effect was significant, it<br />
accounted for much smaller proportion of the genetic variation as compared to the main effects due to lines and<br />
testers, with the predictability ratio being very high (0.77 for Fe in the rainy season, and 0.90 for Zn in the post<br />
rainy season). There was not a single instance of hybrids exceeding the Fe or Zn levels of their better-parents<br />
(i.e. no better-parent heterosis). This confirmed the earlier results based on diallel study that Fe and Zn content<br />
in pearl millet are predominantly under additive genetic control. A second Line x Tester study involving<br />
hybrids of 16 lines and 12 testers was conducted to pursue this subject further. Grain samples produced from<br />
this trial conducted during the 2009 rainy and <strong>2010</strong> post rainy season are yet to be analyzed for Fe and Zn<br />
content.<br />
Inbreeding depression<br />
Three diverse populations [Extra-early B-composite (EEBC), Smut-resistant B-composite (SRBC) and High<br />
head volume B-composite (HHVBC)] were each advanced to four generations of inbreeding using single-seed<br />
descent, and their selfed bulks (S 1 -S4 4 ) were produced. These were compared with their original composite<br />
bulks (Co) under terminal drought as well as under irrigated control during the post rainy season <strong>2010</strong> in 4-row<br />
plots, replicated three times in a split-plot design, with the composites as main plots and their different bulks as<br />
sub-plots. Detailed analyses of the data are yet to be carried out. There was no consistent pattern of change<br />
across the selfing generations in EEBC and SRBC, except for HHVBC in which the Fe content increased in all<br />
the selfed bulks (up to 23% in the S 2 bulk). This would tend to indicate dominance (partial?) of low-iron alleles<br />
over the high iron alleles, and supports the previous results from the diallel and Line x Tester studies. Results<br />
showed no consistent patterns with respect to drought effect. For instance, as compared to the control, the Fe<br />
content under drought increased from 11 to 30% in various selfed bulks of EEBC, and from 16 to 24 % in<br />
various selfed bulks of HHVBC, while in SRBC it increased up to 41% to two bulks and was up to 9% less in<br />
the other two bulks.<br />
Single plant selection efficiency for Fe and Zn content in pearl millet<br />
Single plant selection for yielding ability and other agronomic traits in segregating populations is a standard<br />
breeding procedure. Effectiveness of this procedure to select for grain Fe and Zn content in pearl millet has not<br />
been tested. We initiated a series of experiments to address this issues by comparing the Fe and Zn content of<br />
seed produced from individual S 0 plants and those produced from the trial of their S 1 progenies in four diverse<br />
OPVs (ICTP 8203, JBV 3, AIMP 92901 and ICMR 312). More than 60 random plants were selfed in each of the<br />
two populations (ICTP 8203 and JBV 3) during the 2008 rainy season). Based on seed set, 40 selfed panicles<br />
that could provide enough seed for a 2-replication trial for two seasons were harvested and threshed to produce<br />
S 1 seed. The S 1 progenies of both populations were planted as two separate experiments during the 2009 post<br />
rainy and rainy season in single row plots of 2 meter, replicated two times. Analysis of selfed seed samples from<br />
individual plants (So plants) and from the S 1 progenies from post rainy season trial were analyzed for Fe and Zn<br />
following ICP method. Results showed highly significant correlation between the So plants and S 1 progenies for<br />
Fe (r= 0.69 ** for ICTP 8203; and 0.54 ** for JBV 3) and for Zn content (r=0.69 ** for ICTP 8203; and 0.64 ** for<br />
JBV 3), indicating that low-Fe and low-Zn plants can be effectively discarded, thus saving on resources for<br />
progeny testing. Grain samples of these trials from the rainy season are yet to be analyzed. A similar<br />
experiment with two additional populations (AIMP 92901 and ICMR 312) was conducted during the rainy<br />
season 2009 and post rainy season <strong>2010</strong>. The grain samples of these two trials are also yet to be analyzed.<br />
Dwarfing gene effect on Fe and Zn content in pearl millet<br />
Nine pairs of tall and d 2 dwarf near-isogenic lines were evaluated for Fe and Zn content under terminal drought<br />
and irrigated control during the <strong>2010</strong> post rainy season at Patancheru. These lines were planted in single-row<br />
plots of 4m, replicated three times in a split- plot design, with the 9 genetic backgrounds of lines as main plots<br />
and tall-dwarf pairs as sub-plots. In all but one pair the Fe content in dwarf versions was 5 to 35% less than in<br />
the tall versions under irrigated control, with large variation observed across the pairs: in one pair, it was 9%<br />
more. Under terminal drought, the Fe content in dwarf versions was 3 to 33% less than in the tall versions in 7<br />
pairs and 4 to 12% more in two pairs. Under drought, the Fe content was higher than the control in most of the<br />
247
lines (both tall and dwarf versions). This increase in the Fe content under drought could have resulted from<br />
reduced seed size and/or reduced seed set, which are under investigation.<br />
Effect of seed set on grain Fe and Zn content in pearl millet<br />
Genetic identity of a pearl millet genotype in its grain samples can be preserved by producing the grains either<br />
by selfing or by sibbing. Grain production by sibbing is a costly and time consuming operation, not practical for<br />
handling a large number of breeding lines. Depending on the genotype and the environment, selfing in pearl<br />
millet can lead to variable reduction in seed set, which may affect grain micronutrients. Thus, an experiment<br />
was conducted during the 2009 rainy season to address this issue. Fifteen inbred lines (8 B-lines and 7 R-lines)<br />
with a wide range of Fe and Zn content were planted in 2-row plots, replicated three times in an RCBD during<br />
the 2009 rainy season and <strong>2010</strong> post rainy season. About 50-60 plants in each plot were bagged with parchment<br />
paper bag at the panicle emergence stage. At full stigma emergence stage, the paper bags were repeatedly<br />
moved up and down 2-3 times to achieve about 40-50% stigma damage (and hence about 50% seed set) in 10-15<br />
panicles. In another 20-25 panicles, the paper bags were moved up and down 5-6 times to achieve 80-90%<br />
stigma damage (and hence about 20% seed set). Other bagged panicles were left untouched to achieve<br />
maximum seed set. At harvest, bagged panicles were classified into three categories (80-100% seed set, as good<br />
seed set; 40-50% seed set as average seed set; and 10-20% seed set as poor seed set). Panicles not falling into<br />
these three distinct seed set categories were discarded. All the panicles in a seed set class were bulk threshed and<br />
subjected to ICP analysis of grain Fe and Zinc contents. Results from the 2009 rainy season trial showed that Fe<br />
content in good seed set class varied from 52 to 103 ppm among these lines. In the average seed set class, Fe<br />
was overestimated in all the lines, ranging from 7 to 31%. In poor seed set class, the Fe overestimation ranged<br />
from 15 to 62%. Although the magnitude varied, depending on the genotype, the general trend of reduction in<br />
seed set leading to overestimation of micronutrients was consistent for Fe content in the rainy season and for Zn<br />
content in both seasons. This showed that variable reduction in seed set arising from selfing leads to variable<br />
overestimation of both Fe and Zn, and hence selfed grain samples cannot be used reliably for Fe and Zn<br />
estimation.<br />
Open-pollinated grain samples for Fe and Zn content analysis<br />
Since selfed seed cannot be reliably used for Fe and Zn analysis, and use of sibbed seed is not a practical<br />
proposition. Thus, two issues need to be resolved before resorting to the use of open-pollinated grains. First,<br />
whether pollen source from other genotypes can affect these micronutrients, and second, whether openpollinated<br />
grains will be prone to dust contamination.<br />
Pollen affect on grain Fe and Zn content: In an experiment conducted during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, we used<br />
two pairs each of hybrids, OPVs and inbred lines with the entries within each pair having large contrasts for Fe<br />
and Zn content. The experiment was planted in 4-row plots of 4m, replicated three times in a split-plot design,<br />
with the six pairs making the main plots and the entries within a pair making the sub-plots. In OPVs, 10-15<br />
panicles of each entry of a pair were sibbed as well as crossed reciprocally, while in hybrids and inbred lines 6-8<br />
plants in each entry of a pair were sibbed as well as crossed reciprocally. The sibbed and crossed panicles were<br />
harvested separately and bulk threshed. ICP analysis showed that there was no significant difference in the Fe<br />
values of sibbed and crossed grain samples for any entry (whether high-Fe entry was crossed with low-Fe entry<br />
or vice-versa). The difference between the sibbed seed and crossed seed in high-Fe entries varied from 6 to 5<br />
ppm, while in the low-Fe entries it varied from -1 to 7 ppm. For Zn content, the difference between the sibbed<br />
seed and crossed seed varied from -5 to 1 ppm in high-Zn parents, and from -2 to 3 ppm in low-Zn parents. This<br />
clearly showed pollen source had no effect on grain Fe and Zn content in pearl millet. This experiment will be<br />
repeated during the 2011 post rainy season.<br />
Dust contamination of open-pollinated pearl millet grains: As mentioned above, pollen source has no effect<br />
on Fe and Zn content in pearl millet. For effective use of open-pollinated grain samples for mineral analysis, the<br />
other issue requiring to be resolved is whether open-pollinated grains are prone to dust contamination. We<br />
evaluated 14 genotypes (4 OPVs, 6 hybrids, 4 B-lines) having 47-95 ppm Fe and 39-66 ppm Zn content to<br />
address this issue. Entries were planted in 4-row plots replicated three times during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season at<br />
Patancheru. Each plot was sibbed to produce dust-free grains from 10-15 sibbed panicles. Also, in each plot,<br />
10-15 panicles were bagged at the time anthesis was over, which will also produce dust-free grains. About 10-<br />
15 open-pollinated panicles were left unbagged till maturity, which would be exposed is potential dust<br />
contamination. The mean Fe content of the sibbed grains was 63 ppm, while for those from the open-pollinated<br />
bagged panicles it was 61 ppm, and for open-pollinated unbagged panicles it was 58 ppm. The difference<br />
between the open-pollinated bagged treatment and open-pollinated unbagged treatment varied mostly in the<br />
range of -8 to 8 ppm. The difference between the sibbed and open-pollinated bagged treatment was mostly in<br />
the range of -8 to 8 ppm, which confirms the results of the study mentioned above that pollen source has no<br />
248
effect on grain Fe content in pearl millet. This trend was consistent for Zn content as well, indicating that dust<br />
contamination is not an issue of any practical consequence regarding use of open-pollinated grains for Fe and Zn<br />
analysis.<br />
Correlation between ICP and XRF estimates for Fe and Zn content<br />
Inductively coupled plasma spectrometer (ICP) provides the most precise estimates of Fe and Zn content. The<br />
method, however, is slow (does about 200 samples a day), has substantial cost (US$ 15/sample), and uses<br />
ground materials, implying the grain samples used for analysis cannot be re-used for any purposes. The X-ray<br />
Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF), on the other hand, provides for rapid screening (>300 samples/day), is cost<br />
effective (US$ 0.98) in pearl millet. We conducted a<br />
comparative test on grain samples from nine trials (42-60 entries each). Very high correlations were found<br />
between the ICP and XRV values both for Fe (r=0.88 to 0.94 in 8 samples and 0.58 in 1 sample) and Zn content<br />
(r=0.88 to 0.95 in 8 samples and 0.56 in 1 sample). These results showed that XRF can be effectively used for<br />
large scale handling of breeding materials.<br />
KN Rai, SK Gupta and KL Sahrawat<br />
Milestone 5C.2.1.2: Effectiveness of S 1 recurrent selection for Fe and Zn, and its effect on grain yield and other<br />
agronomic traits in four populations quantified (KNR/RB/KLS, 2012)<br />
Recurrent selection<br />
Even narrow-based populations (including improved OPVs) in pearl millet have been shown to have substantial<br />
variability for numerous traits, including grain Fe and Zn content. Research continued to test the effectiveness of<br />
recurrent selection to improve the Fe and Zn content in four populations. Of the four higher-Fe versions of a<br />
high-Fe variety (ICTP 8203) developed and tested in 2009, 2 found promising were re-evaluated along with the<br />
original ICTP 8203 in a multilocation trial during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season. This trial also included three additional<br />
higher-Fe versions developed in <strong>2010</strong> summer season. The trial was evaluated at 10 locations in peninsular India<br />
for grain yield and agronomic traits. Reliable field data and grain samples were received from 5 locations. The<br />
mean grain yield of these populations varied from 2230 kg ha -1 to 2600 kg ha -1 in the improved versions (2230<br />
kg ha -1 in the original C 0 bulk). The mean Fe content in these bulks varied from 75 ppm to 82 ppm (73 ppm in<br />
the C 0 bulk). The highest-yielding bulk with 11% higher yield also had 8% higher Fe content. Interestingly, this<br />
bulk had larger seed size (1000-grain weight of 17 g) compared to 15.4 g for the Co bulk.<br />
We tested the recurrent selection efficiency in three additional populations (ICMV 221, AIMP 92901 and ICMR<br />
312) using Fe content in the selfed seed samples as a selection criterion. In ICMV 221, 220 S 1 progenies<br />
selected from a previous evaluation in 2009 were analyzed for Fe content using ICP protocol. The Fe content in<br />
these progenies varied from 75 to 174 ppm, of which 10 progenies with 108-174 ppm were selected to constitute<br />
the C 1 bulk. In AIMP 92901, 300 S 1 progenies had been evaluated during the 2009 rainy season in which the Fe<br />
content varied from 38 to 117 ppm. Thirteen progenies with 74 to 117 ppm Fe were recombined to constitute C 1<br />
bulk of this population. In ICMR 312 also, 300 S 1 progenies had been evaluated in 2009. The Fe content in<br />
these progenies varied from 42 to 100 ppm, of which 17 progenies with 72-100 ppm were recombined to<br />
constitute the C 1 bulk of this population. Co and C 1 bulks of these three populations were evaluated at<br />
Patancheru in 4-row plots replicated three times. Grain yield, agronomic traits and Fe content (in openpollinated<br />
grain samples) were recorded. Results showed that as compared to the Co bulk, grain yield in the C 1<br />
bulk of ICMV 221 was 5% less and there was no change in Fe content. In AIMP 92901, grain yield in C 1 bulk<br />
was 3% less and Fe content 4% more (both changes practically of no significance) as compared to the Co bulk.<br />
In ICMR 312, the grain yield of the C 1 bulk was 11 % less and Fe content 17% more than the Co bulk. Lack of<br />
response to Fe selection in ICMV 221 and AIMP 92901 is being investigated.<br />
KN Rai, SK Gupta and KL Sahrawat<br />
Milestone 5C.2.1.3: QTL for high grain Fe and Zn identified based on F6 RIL mapping populations from two<br />
crosses (CTH/SS/KNR, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
249
MTP Project 6:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Producing more and better food at lower cost of stable open-pollinated<br />
cereals and legumes (sorghum, pigeonpea, chickpea and groundnut)<br />
through genetic improvement in the Asian SAT<br />
Pooran M Gaur<br />
Highlights for <strong>2010</strong><br />
Chickpea<br />
• Desi chickpea breeding lines with combined resistance to fusarium wilt, ascochyta blight and<br />
botrytis grey mould developed.<br />
• Wild relatives of chickpea showed high levels of antibiosis to the pod borer, H. armigera, and<br />
hence, there is a good possibility on diversifying the basis of resistance to pod borer by<br />
introgressing the resistance genes into the cultigen through wide hybridization.<br />
• Based on detached leaf bioassays for 11 transgenic events of chickpea carrying different cry<br />
genes, seven events with superior performance have been advanced to further generations for<br />
subsequent evaluations.<br />
• Breeding lines and land races with tolerance to high temperatures (up to 35 0 C) identified.<br />
Some of the earlier identified drought tolerant lines showed high temperature tolerance<br />
indicating that it is possible to develop cultivars with combined tolerance to terminal drought<br />
and heat stresses. The pod number per plant and the harvest index were identified as key traits<br />
that can be used in selections for heat tolerance.<br />
• The most critical component of terminal drought tolerance in chickpea was identified to be<br />
strategy of conservative water use during the early days of the cropping cycle, explained<br />
partly by a lower canopy conductance, which resulted in more water available in the soil<br />
profile during reproduction.<br />
• An intraspecific linkage map of chickpea was developed from ICCV 2 x JG 62 RILs. A total<br />
of 135 markers were mapped on to eight linkage groups spanning a distance of 310.2 cM.<br />
QTLs were identified for 11 different surrogate traits under saline and non-saline conditions in<br />
each of the two environments (2005–06 and 2007–08). QTLs were identified for both late and<br />
early phenology groups under saline and non-saline conditions. In the late phenology group, a<br />
QTL was found for seed yield under salinity on LG3 in 2007–08, explaining 19% of the<br />
variation. One QTL for shoot dry weight under salinity was found on LG1 in 2007–08,<br />
explaining 13% of the variation, and one QTL for seed number under salinity was found on<br />
LG7 in 2007–08, explaining 25% of the variation. When the phenotyping data were used for<br />
QTL analysis, disregarding the groups of phenology, no QTLs for seed yield was found in any<br />
of the treatments for either of the two years.<br />
• A major QTL for root traits was introgressed in three cultivars (JG 11 and KAK 2 from India<br />
and Chefe from Ethiopia) using marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC). BC 3 F 3 progenies were<br />
available for evaluation.<br />
Pigeonpea<br />
• Twelve entries (KPBR 80-2-4, ICPL’s 20094, 20097, 20098, 20099, <strong>2010</strong>0, <strong>2010</strong>3, 20115,<br />
20116, 20120, 20129 and 20134) showed resistance to FW and SMD at four locations<br />
(Badnapur, Bharuch, Gulbarga and <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru).<br />
• Genotypes (ICP 2933, ICP 5825, ICPHaRL 4985-10, ICPHaRL 4985-1, and LRG 41) showed<br />
stable resistance to pod borer, H. armigera and can be exploited in pigeonpea improvement<br />
programs.<br />
• Crossability studies indicated that C. acutifolius from secondary gene pool of pigeonpea and<br />
C. platycarpus, from tertiary gene pool, can be successfully utilized to introgress multiple pest<br />
and disease resistance.<br />
• Studies on mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa indicated that genotypes showing low<br />
oviposition and/or low larval numbers, and exhibiting low pod damage and good recovery<br />
resistance can be as source of resistance in pigeonpea breeding for Helicoverpa resistance.<br />
• The protease inhibitors (PIs) from the wild relatives showing potential as intibitors of HaGPs,<br />
could be considered as potential candidates for use in genetic transformation of crops for pest<br />
management, including H. armigera.<br />
250
• Based on the insect bioassays conducted with transgenic pigeonpea events in T1 and T2<br />
generations, 11 cry gene transgenic events of pigeonpea were identified promising and<br />
selected for strip trials under confined field conditions.<br />
• The carotenoids content was 10-25 fold higher in psyI transgenic events as compared to the<br />
untransformed controls. Two events with considerably higher β-carotene level (~5.5 μg/g)<br />
were selected and further studies on gene stability as well as biochemical profiling.<br />
Groundnut<br />
• Five groundnut varieties were released in three countries. Groundnut variety ICGV 96342 is<br />
released as BARI Chinabadam 9 in Bangladesh; ICGV 94301 is released as Sinpadetha 8 in<br />
Myanmar; and ICGV 93260 as R 2001-2, ICGV 87846 as Co 6, and ICGV 00350 in India.<br />
• Several events carrying PBNV N gene in antisense orientation (ASNP) showed little or no<br />
symptoms of the disease under the virus challenging assays in greenhouse conditions. These<br />
events have been advanced to further generations for subsequent phenotyping using<br />
mechanical as well as vector mediated transmission assays.<br />
• From elite trials, 12 (Spanish) and 6 (Virginia) lines for foliar disease resistance; 15 (Spanish)<br />
lines for medium duration; and 7 (Spanish) and 7 (Virginia) lines for drought tolerance were<br />
selected to include in International nursery trials<br />
• Through FPVS trials in India, Nepal and Vietnam nine farmer-preferred varieties (FPVs) of<br />
groundnut were identified which include ICGV 91114 and ICGS 76 in India; Rajarshi,<br />
Baideshi and B4 in Nepal; and L 14 and L 23, L26, D0401 in Vietnam<br />
• Several transgenic events carrying PBNVnp gene in antisense orientation (ASNP) showed<br />
very little or no symptoms of PBNV disease under the virus challenging assays in greenhouse<br />
conditions. These events have been advanced to further generations for subsequent<br />
phenotyping using mechanical as well as vector mediated transmission assays.<br />
• Ongoing work to understand the mechanisms of adaptation to water stress in groundnut shows<br />
that we need to go much beyond transpiration efficiency. We are starting to understand how<br />
certain pattern of water usage, in part related to canopy size, but may be also to canopy<br />
development and conductance, are explaining differences in pod yield.<br />
• Two transgenic events with rd29A:DREB1A consistently outperformed than the control and<br />
rest of the transgenic events under the imposed intermittent drought stress both under<br />
greenhouse and confined field conditions. These events showed better seed filling and a higher<br />
harvest index under intermittent drought stress conditions.<br />
• Transgenic groundnut events carrying phytoene synthase gene, psyI (controls the production<br />
of ß-carotene) from maize with the promotor from oleosin gene of Arabidopsis (for seedspecific<br />
expression in oil bodies) were evaluated. Level of total carotenoids was 10-25 fold<br />
increase in transgenic events as compared to the untransformed controls. Preliminary studies<br />
showed an enhanced β-carotene level (~5.5 μg/g) in two events. These events have been<br />
advanced further for gene stability as well as biochemical profiling.<br />
• Six F 3 and F 4 progenies derived from crosses between elite groundnut cultivars and new<br />
sources of amphidiploid groundnut (ISATGR 1212) were screened for A. flavus. All these<br />
progenies showed low A. flavus infection and five of these progenies produced low aflatoxin<br />
(0-6.7 ug/g). These results suggest that it is possible to transfer A. flavus resistance and low<br />
aflatoxin production from wild relatives of groundnut<br />
Sorghum<br />
• Five R-line progenies showed significantly superior grain yield (by 23 to 52%) ranging from<br />
2.3 to 2.9 t ha -1 over control CSV 4 and showed low PGMR score 3.2 to 3.6 indicating their<br />
resistance to grain mold.<br />
• Five hybrids (ICSA 52 × SPV 1411, ICSA 84 × E 36-1, ICSA 102 × E 36-1, ICSA 89002 × E<br />
36-1 and ICSA 24005 × E 36-1) appeared tolerant to charcoal rot with 1.2-1.4 inter node<br />
infection and ≤10% lodging.<br />
• Thirty R-lines were significantly (by 5 to 33%) superior to the control - RS 29 for grain Fe<br />
contents with grain Fe ranging from 30 to 39 ppm and significantly superior (by 6 and 62%)<br />
for grain Zn contents ranging from 18 to 28 ppm which can be evaluated in multilocation<br />
trials for assessing the stability of their performance.<br />
251
Output 6.1: Improved germplasm and varieties of sorghum, pigeonpea, chickpea and groundnut<br />
with pro-poor traits and associated advanced knowledge of selection tools and breeding methods<br />
made available to partners internationally<br />
Groundnut<br />
Output target 6.1.1 GN: Each year 50-60 diverse trait-specific (resistance to rust, late leaf spot<br />
(LLS), and other emerging diseases and pests, short- and medium-duration, dual-purpose (food<br />
and fodder), oil types and confectionery types), high yielding breeding populations and advanced<br />
breeding lines developed<br />
Activity 6.1.1.1 GN: Evaluate and introgress new germplasm sources (cultivated and wild Arachis<br />
species) of variability for yield components, resistance to rust, LLS, and other emerging diseases,<br />
crop duration and food and fodder quality traits<br />
Milestone: 10-15 new high yielding lines with resistance to diseases and quality and adaptation traits<br />
identified and made available to NARS. Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
The foliar fungal diseases cause 10% to over 50% pod and haulm yield losses besides adversely<br />
affecting their quality. Host plant resistance compliments with other control measures. Breeding for the<br />
traits like high/low oil and confectionary results in enhanced economic returns to SAT farmers, while<br />
breeding for various maturity durations is essential for local adaptation.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
One hundred new crosses (25 for foliar diseases resistance, 32 for short-duration, 23 for mediumduration<br />
with high oil content and 20 for confectionery traits with high protein content) were completed<br />
in the 2009/10 postrainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons to generate populations for selection. The new parents<br />
are: ICGV 06149, ICGV 08277, ICGV 07145, ICGV 06150, ICGV 06143, ICGV 08321, ICGV<br />
09141, and ICGV 02411for resistance to foliar diseases; ICGV 08234, ICGV 08237, ICGV 05155,<br />
ICGV 06040, ICGV 06100, ICGV 06420,ICGV 07395, EC 582663, EC 582664-1, ICGV –IS 96894-1,<br />
ICGV 09003, ICGV 09007, ICGV 08234, and ICGV 09141 for short-duration; ICGV 07076, ICGV<br />
07145, ICGV 08268, SunOleic 95R, ICGV 09121, ICGV 08268, ICGV 09141, ICGV 08006, and<br />
ICGV 08030 for medium-duration with high oil content and ICGV 08050, ICGV 08058, ICGV 08112, ICGV<br />
08081, ICGV 90320, ICGV 09190, and ICGV 09003 for confectionery traits with high protein content.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
a. Foliar diseases:<br />
In 2009/10, 149 F 2 -F 11 bulks and 62 plant progenies were evaluated for agronomic traits to select 142<br />
bulks and 3 plant selections; of which 26 advance generation bulks were identified for inclusion in<br />
yield trials. Promising selections came from the two crosses, [(ICGS 44 x (ICGV 87128 x ICG<br />
00246)], and (ICGV 04078 x ICG 13917). During the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 116 F 2 -F 12 bulks and 16 plant<br />
progenies were sown in foliar diseases resistance sick field for further evaluation. From these, 118<br />
bulks and 220 single plants were selected. The most promising selections came from the crosses,<br />
(ICGV 91114 x ICGX 000036) and (ICGV 01352 x ICG 13917.<br />
Yield trials:<br />
i. 2009 rainy season<br />
111 advanced breeding lines (including controls) in 5 replicated trials were evaluated both for diseases<br />
(LLS and Rust) resistance and yield. Same set of 111 advanced breeding lines (including controls) in 5<br />
replicated trials were under evaluation for yield in the 2009/10 postrasiny season. The main results are<br />
as below-<br />
In an Elite Trial (Spanish), 18 out of 19 test varieties (4.4-3.0±0.22 t ha -1 ) produced significantly<br />
higher pod yield than the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (2.4 t ha -1 pod yield, with 66% shelling<br />
outturn, 28 g HSW, 57% oil content, rust score at 107 DAS = 4.0, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.5). ICGV<br />
06150 produced highest pod yield (4.4 t ha -1 ; with 65% shelling outturn, 34 g HSW, 56% oil content,<br />
252
ust score at 107 DAS = 2.5, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.0) followed by ICGV 06149 (4.4 t ha -1 with<br />
70% shelling outturn, 34 g HSW, 56% oil content, rust score at 107 DAS = 2.5, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.0).<br />
In an Elite Trial (Virginia), 8 out of 12 test varieties (4.0-3.4±0.16 t ha -1 ) produced significantly higher<br />
pod yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 86699 (2.9 t ha -1 , with 61% shelling outturn, 41 g<br />
HSW, 51% oil content, rust score at 107 DAS = 3.0, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.0). ICGV 06183<br />
produced highest pod yield (4.0 t ha -1 ; with 68% shelling outturn, 43 g HSW, 54% oil content, rust<br />
score at 107 DAS = 3.0, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.0) followed by ICGV 06175 (3.9 t ha -1 with 60%<br />
shelling outturn, 34 g HSW, 55% oil content, rust score at 107 DAS = 3.0, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.5).<br />
In an Advanced Trial (Spanish), 7 out of 9 test varieties (3.6-2.7±0.21 t ha -1 ) produced significantly<br />
higher pod yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 98373 (1.5 t ha -1 , with 70% shelling outturn,<br />
48 g HSW, 46% oil content, rust score at 107 DAS = 2.0, LLS score at 107 DAS = 8.0). ICGV 07130<br />
produced highest pod yield (3.6 t ha -1 ; with 60% shelling outturn, 51 g HSW, 53% oil content, rust<br />
score at 107 DAS = 3.0, LLS score 107 DAS = 5.0 ) followed by ICGV 07142 (3.4 t ha -1 with 67%<br />
shelling outturn, 42 g HSW, 57% oil content, rust score at 107 DAS = 3.5, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.5).<br />
In Preliminary Trial (Spanish), 15 test varieties (3.6-2.4±0.18 t ha -1 ) produced significantly higher pod<br />
yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 86590 (1.8 t ha -1 , with 67% shelling outturn, 38 g HSW,<br />
rust score at 107 DAS = 2.0, and LLS score at 107 DAS = 7.5). ICGV 08305 produced highest pod<br />
yield (3.6 t ha -1 ; with 58% shelling outturn, 44 g HSW, rust score at 107 DAS = 3.5, LLS score 107<br />
DAS = 5.5 ) followed by ICGV 08306 (3.5 t ha -1 with 62% shelling outturn, 41 g HSW, rust score at<br />
107 DAS = 4.0, LLS score at 107 DAS = 5.0).<br />
ii. 2009/10 postrainy season:<br />
In an Elite (Spanish) Trial, ICGV 07123 (4.9±0.43 t ha -1 , 70% shelling outturn, 60 g HSW, 24%<br />
protein content) produced significantly higher pod yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 86590<br />
(3.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 67% shelling outturn, 44 g HSW, 21% protein content).<br />
In Preliminary (Spanish) Trial, twenty varieties (5.2-3.5±0.20 t ha -1 pod yield) produced significantly<br />
higher pod yield than the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (2.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 75% shelling outturn,<br />
44 g HSW). ICGV 08287 gave the highest pod yield (5.2 t ha -1 pod yield, 69% shelling outturn, 70 g<br />
HSW) followed by ICGV 08305 (4.9 t ha -1 pod yield, 70% shelling outturn, 64 g HSW).<br />
In Preliminary (Virginia) Trial, three varieties (4.9-4.6±0.22 t ha -1 pod yield) produced significantly<br />
higher pod yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 98373 (3.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 72% shelling<br />
outturn, 63 g HSW). ICGV 08321 gave the highest pod yield (4.9 t ha -1 pod yield, 73% shelling outturn,<br />
56 g HSW) followed by ICGV 08320 (4.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 73% shelling outturn, 57 g HSW).<br />
iii. <strong>2010</strong> rainy season:<br />
Seventy six advanced breeding lines (including controls) in five replicated trials were evaluated both<br />
for diseases (LLS and Rust) resistance and yield. At 50 days after sowing (DAS), plots were inoculated<br />
with LLS and rust by spraying the infected and test rows with a mixed conidial suspension of<br />
Phaesariopsis personata conidia and Puccinia arachidis urediniospores for optimum disease<br />
development. Disease symptoms for LLS and rust were rated on a 1 - 9 disease severity scale at 75, 90<br />
and 105 DAS.<br />
In an Elite Trial (Spanish), all 5 test varieties (3.2-2.2±0.23 t ha -1 ) produced significantly higher pod<br />
yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 98373 (1.2 t ha -1 pod yield, with 65% shelling outturn, 41<br />
g HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 3.0, LLS score at 105 DAS = 7.0). ICGV 07130 produced highest pod<br />
yield (3.2 t ha -1 ; with 60% shelling outturn, 40 g HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 4.5, LLS score at 105<br />
DAS = 7.0) followed by ICGV 07143 (3.1 t ha -1 with 67% shelling outturn, 36 g HSW, rust score at<br />
105 DAS = 5.5, LLS score at 105 DAS = 8.0).<br />
In Preliminary Trial (Spanish), five test varieties (3.6-2.3±0.21 t ha -1 ) produced significantly higher pod<br />
yield than the highest yielding susceptible control JL 24 (1.6 t ha -1 , with 58% shelling outturn, 31 g<br />
HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 7.0, and LLS score at 105 DAS = 8.5), and resistant cultivar ICGV<br />
86590 (1.4 t ha -1 , with 58% shelling outturn, 29 g HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 2.5, and LLS score at<br />
105 DAS = 8.0). ICGV 10179 produced highest pod yield (3.6 t ha -1 ; with 60% shelling outturn, 41 g<br />
253
HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 3.0, LLS score 105 DAS = 7.0 ) followed by ICGV 10178 (3.0 t ha -1<br />
with 62% shelling outturn, 41 g HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 2.5, LLS score at 105 DAS = 7.0).<br />
In Preliminary Trial (Virginia), five test varieties (3.2-2.4±0.17 t ha -1 ) produced significantly higher<br />
pod yield than the highest yielding resistant cultivar ICGV 86699 (2.1 t ha -1 , with 60% shelling outturn,<br />
31 g HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 2.5, and LLS score at 105 DAS = 7.0). ICGV 10191 produced<br />
highest pod yield (3.2 t ha -1 ; with 63% shelling outturn, 28 g HSW, rust score at 105 DAS = 5.5, LLS<br />
score 105 DAS = 7.5 ) followed by ICGV 10193 (3.2 t ha -1 with 60% shelling outturn, 40 g HSW, rust<br />
score at 105 DAS = 3.0, LLS score at 105 DAS = 8.0).<br />
b. Short duration:<br />
From 215 bulk populations and 340 single plant progenies grown in the 2009/10 postrainy season, 387<br />
F 2 -F 11 bulks and 379 single plant selections, based on agronomic traits, were made. Of these, 21 bulk<br />
selections in advanced generations were identified for inclusion in replicated yield trials. In 358 bulk<br />
populations and 374 single plant progenies grown in the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 429 F 2 -F 14 bulks and 758<br />
single plant selections, based on agronomic traits, were made. The most promising selections came<br />
from (ICGV 93437 x ICGV 00308), (ICGV 00309 x ICGV 03178), a0nd (ICGV 02022 x ICGV<br />
97045) crosses.<br />
Yield trials:<br />
i. 2009 rainy season:<br />
In an Advanced Trial at 90 DAS harvest two entries outyielded (3.7± 0.29 t ha -1 each) the highest<br />
yielding early-maturing control TAG 24 (2.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 61 % shelling outturn, 39 g HSW). EC<br />
582670 gave the highest pod yield (3.7 t ha -1 , 50 % shelling outturn and 39 g HSW) followed by L 24<br />
(3.7 t ha -1 , 52 % shelling outturn and 40 g HSW).<br />
ii. 2009/10 postrainy season<br />
In Preliminary (Spanish) Trial, four varieties (3.4-3.0±0.24 t ha -1 pod yield) produced significantly<br />
higher pod yield than the highest yielding control JL 24 (2.2 t ha -1 pod yield, 54% shelling outturn, 34 g<br />
HSW). ICGV 09008 gave the highest pod yield (3.4 t ha -1 pod yield, 63% shelling outturn, 41 g HSW)<br />
followed by ICGV 09011 (3.2 t ha -1 pod yield, 66% shelling outturn, 55 g HSW).<br />
iii. 2009 rainy season:<br />
In an Advanced Trial at 90 DAS harvest three entries out-yielded (2.2± 0.25 t ha -1 each) the highest<br />
yielding early-maturing control JL 24 (1.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 63 % shelling outturn, 23 g HSW). ICGV<br />
09014 gave the highest pod yield (2.2 t ha -1 , 76 % shelling outturn and 28 g HSW) followed by ICGV<br />
09009 (1.9 t ha -1 , 59 % shelling outturn and 23 g HSW).<br />
In Preliminary Trial at 90 DAS harvest two entries outyielded (2.5± 0.27 t ha -1 each) the highest<br />
yielding early-maturing control DH 86 (1.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 67 % shelling outturn, 25 g HSW). ICGV<br />
10004 gave the highest pod yield (2.5 t ha -1 , 61 % shelling outturn and 26 g HSW) followed by ICGV<br />
10018 (2.5 t ha -1 , 62 % shelling outturn and 28 g HSW).<br />
c. Medium duration:<br />
In the 2009/10 postrainy season, 184 bulk populations and 53 plant progenies were sown for<br />
evaluation. From these, 204 F 2 -F 11 bulks and 55 single plant selections were made. Of these, 74 bulk<br />
selections in advanced generations were identified for inclusion in replicated yield trials The most<br />
promising selections came from (ICGV 99159 x ICGV 95042) and (ICGV 01274 x ICGV 04124)<br />
crosses. Similarly in the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 140 bulk populations and 55 plant progenies were sown for<br />
evaluation. From these, 188 F 2 -F 11 bulks and 290 single plant selections were made. The most<br />
promising selections came from (ICGV 99159 x ICGV 93155), (ICGV 95017 x ICGV 00002), and<br />
(ICGV 97069 x ICGV 99159) crosses.<br />
Yield trials:<br />
During the 2009 rainy and in the 2009/10 postrainy seasons ninety eight advanced breeding lines<br />
including controls in six replicated yield trials were under evaluation. An elite trial (Spanish) was<br />
evaluated under rain-fed conditions also. The results of the two season are given bellowi.<br />
2009 rainy season:<br />
254
In an Elite Trial (Spanish) under irrigation conditions, seven test varieties (4.4-4.0±0.14 t ha -1 pod<br />
yield) significantly outperformed the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (3.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 64%<br />
shelling outturn, 28 g HSW, and 56% oil content). ICGV 07047 ranked first in pod yield (4.4 t ha -1 pod<br />
yield, 60% shelling outturn, 44 g HSW, and 54% oil content) followed by ICGV 07057 (4.4 t ha -1 pod<br />
yield, 60% shelling outturn, 41 g HSW, and 52% oil content). Under rain-fed conditions, eleven<br />
(including these seven) test lines (4.0-2.9±0.10 t ha -1 pod significantly outperformed the highest<br />
yielding control GPBD 4 (2.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 58% shelling outturn, 22 g HSW, and 54% oil content).<br />
ICGV 07047 produced pod yield (4.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 62% shelling outturn, 43 g HSW, and 51% oil<br />
content) ranked first in both irrigated and rain-fed conditions.<br />
In an Advanced Trial (Spanish), eleven test varieties (4.5-3.5±0.22 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly<br />
outperformed the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (2.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 52% shelling outturn, 24 g<br />
HSW, and 55% oil content). ICGV 08234 ranked first in pod yield (4.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 71% shelling<br />
outturn, 44 g HSW, and 57% oil content) followed by ICGV 08239 (4.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 60% shelling<br />
outturn, 50 g HSW, and 50% oil content).<br />
In Preliminary Trial (Spanish), only one line ICGV 09121 (4.3±0.27 t ha -1 pod yield, 65% shelling<br />
outturn, and 40 g HSW) significantly outperformed the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (3.3 t ha -1 pod<br />
yield, 63% shelling outturn, and 29 g HSW).<br />
ii. 2009/10 postrainy season:<br />
None of test lines significantly out yielded the best control cultivar ICGV 95070 in Spanish group and<br />
ICGS 76 in Virginia group. However in an Advanced Trial, ICGV 08234 (4.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 73%<br />
shelling outturn and 47 g HSW) shown 10% yield advantage over best yielding control cultivar ICGV<br />
95070 (4.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 73% shelling outturn and 55 g HSW).<br />
iii. <strong>2010</strong> rainy season:<br />
One hundred and thirty one advanced breeding lines including controls in six replicated trials were evaluated.<br />
In an Elite Trial (Spanish) three test varieties (4.8±0.15 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outperformed the<br />
highest yielding control GPBD 4 (2.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 51% shelling outturn, 22 g HSW). ICGV 08234<br />
ranked first in pod yield (4.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 71% shelling outturn, 36 g HSW) followed by ICGV<br />
08237 (3.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 60% shelling outturn, 35 g HSW).<br />
In an Advanced Trial (Spanish), two test varieties (3.8±0.14 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outperformed<br />
the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (2.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 57% shelling outturn, 28 g HSW). ICGV<br />
09119 ranked first in pod yield (3.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 55% shelling outturn, 77 g HSW) followed by<br />
ICGV 09121 (3.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 65% shelling outturn, 34 g HSW).<br />
In an Advanced Trial (Virginia), three test varieties (2.5±0.20 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly<br />
outperformed the highest yielding control ICGV 97115 (1.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 60% shelling outturn, 43g<br />
HSW). ICGV 09137 ranked first in pod yield (2.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 64% shelling outturn, 42 g HSW)<br />
followed by ICGV 09138 (2.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 64% shelling outturn, 46 g HSW).<br />
In Preliminary Trial (Spanish), Out of 48 test lines 38 lines (4.3-2.5±0.30 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly<br />
outperformed the highest yielding control GPBD 4 (2.1 t ha -1 pod yield, 52% shelling outturn, and 21 g<br />
HSW). ICGV 10148 ranked first in pod yield (4.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 66% shelling outturn, 36 g HSW)<br />
followed by ICGV 10143 (4.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 70% shelling outturn, 33 g HSW).<br />
In Preliminary Trial (Virginia), three test lines (3.8±0.19 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outperformed<br />
the highest yielding control ICGV 97115 (2.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 65% shelling outturn, and 29 g HSW).<br />
ICGV 10159 ranked first in pod yield (3.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 67% shelling outturn, 49 g HSW) followed<br />
by ICGV 10165 (3.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 65% shelling outturn, 39 g HSW).<br />
d. High/low oil content:<br />
A set of 150 advanced breeding lines and 10 checks belonging to either high oil (>55% oil) or low oil<br />
(
Yield Trials:<br />
i. 2009 rainy season:<br />
During the 2009 rainy season at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> location out of 150 test entries, 69 were recorded high oil<br />
(60% - 55%) content and for pod yield 6 (4.9-4.4±0.41 t ha -1 pod yield) test entries significantly<br />
outperformed the highest yielding control ICGV 00350 (3.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 67% shelling outturn, 32 g<br />
HSW, and 55% oil content). ICGV 07108 ranked first in pod yield (4.9 t ha -1 pod yield, 56% shelling<br />
outturn, 36 g HSW, and 53% oil content) followed by ICGV 06139 (4.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 60% shelling<br />
outturn, 31 g HSW, and 56% oil content). The top five entries of high oil yield and five entries of low<br />
oil yield varieties performance is given in Table 6.1.<br />
Table 6.1: Performance of groundnut breeding lines for various traits<br />
IDENTITY<br />
Pod<br />
yield<br />
kg/ha Rank<br />
Seed<br />
Yield<br />
kg/ha Rank<br />
Oil yield<br />
kg/ha Rank SH% OIL%<br />
ICGV 06423 4270 9 2989 4 1734 1 70 58<br />
ICGV 06018 4355 7 3092 1 1732 2 71 56<br />
ICGV 02411 4486 3 3050 2 1708 3 68 56<br />
ICGV 06149 4407 6 3041 3 1703 4 69 56<br />
ICGV 06139 4723 2 2834 5 1587 5 60 56<br />
ICGV 86564 1571 156 927 156 445 155 59 48<br />
ICGV 07359 1678 153 1057 148 444 156 63 42<br />
ICGV 07368 1679 152 1058 147 134 157 63 41<br />
ICGV 00451 1493 157 836 158 418 158 56 50<br />
ICGV 05182 2000 139 880 157 396 160 44 45<br />
Controls<br />
TMV 2 1343 159 792 160 412 159 59 52<br />
M 335 1709 151 1025 152 151 154 60 44<br />
ICGS 76 2014 135 1249 137 562 142 62 45<br />
TAG 24 1840 144 1196 142 646 133 65 54<br />
JL 24 1963 142 1217 140 657 129 62 54<br />
Dh 86 2057 133 1255 135 665 128 61 53<br />
ICR 48 2092 132 1360 126 666 126 65 49<br />
ICGV 91114 2004 138 1343 131 712 118 67 53<br />
GPBD 4 2575 104 1545 102 896 88 60 58<br />
ICGV 00350 3557 39 2383 29 1311 30 67 55<br />
SE 412.6 1.141<br />
Grand mean 2911 52.9<br />
CV% 14.17 2.158<br />
LSD 814.9 2.254<br />
ii. 2009/10 postrainy season:<br />
At <strong>ICRISAT</strong> location, out of 150 test lines only two lines gave high oil % ICGV 06420 (56% oil, 1.8 t<br />
ha -1 oil yield, 4.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 72% shelling outturn, 44 g HSW, and 22% protein content) and<br />
ICGV 07014 (55% oil, 1.9 t ha -1 oil yield, 4.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 76% shelling outturn, 44 g HSW, and<br />
26% protein content) and seven lines gave low oil % (44-42%).<br />
256
For pod yield four test lines (5.0-4.8±0.47 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outperformed the highest<br />
yielding control ICGV 00350 (4.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 74% shelling outturn, 46 g HSW, 53% oil and 25%<br />
protein content). ICGV 04093 ranked first in pod yield (5.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 70% shelling outturn, 48 g<br />
HSW, 51% oil and 27% protein content) followed by ICGV 07368 (4.9 t ha -1 pod yield, 76% shelling<br />
outturn, 100 g HSW, 42% oil and 26% protein content). Other locations trial data are being analyzed.<br />
iii. <strong>2010</strong> rainy season: Oil and proteine analysisi is under process.<br />
e. High/low protein content:<br />
Similarly a set comprising of 52 advanced breeding lines and 8 checks for either high (>25% protein)<br />
or low (
Conclusions The varieties released over the years are the products of this activity. During the period<br />
under report five groundnut varieties, ICGV 96342, ICGV 94301 and ICFV 87846 were released in<br />
three countries.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Milestone: 6-8 high yielding dual-purpose groundnut varieties in a range of maturity groups with<br />
resistance to chronic biotic constraints available for release and commercialization 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
Crop-livestock is the predominant production system in SAT regions hence development of dualpurpose<br />
groundnut varieties gives an additional advantage of supporting the livestock.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Fodder quality testing and multi-location testing of promising dual purpose groundnut genotypes<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
One hundred and fifty two groundnut haulm samples each from Kadiri, Junagadh, Shirgaon<br />
(Ratnagiri), Maharashtra, and samples of IVT-II trial from Jalgaon center (Maharashtra), were received<br />
and handed over to ILRI for fodder quality analysis. The results of fodder quality analysis are awaited<br />
from ILRI.<br />
Conclusions<br />
A dual purpose variety, ICGV 91114 was released in Karnataka for cultivation in drought-prone areas<br />
of the state.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Milestone: 8-10 selected advanced breeding lines in each partner country evaluated for local<br />
adaptation and farmer-preferred traits in SAT Asia 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
Evaluation of selected breeding lines for local adaptation and farmer-preferred traits is important to<br />
identify and promote the lines best suited for different/varied locations of SAT Asia<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A total of 11 International Trials were conducted to evaluate selected breeding lines of groundnut.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Seeds of 34 sets of international trials sets and 123 advanced breeding lines were provided to<br />
cooperators in 14 countries<br />
International trials<br />
(a) An existing series of six international trials were multiplied in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season for distribution to<br />
collaborators at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> centre, Patancheru, India as indicated below:<br />
1. Twelfth International Short-duration Groundnut Varietal Trial (XII ISGVT)<br />
2. Twelfth International Medium-duration Groundnut Varietal Trial (SB) [XII IMGVT(SB)]<br />
3. Twelfth International Medium-duration Groundnut Varietal Trial (VB) [XII IMGVT(VB)]<br />
4. Twelfth International Foliar Diseases Resistant Groundnut Varietal Trial (XII IFDRGVT)<br />
5. Twelfth International Confectionery Groundnut Varietal Trial (XII ICGVT)<br />
6. Eighth International Drought Resistant Groundnut Varietal Trial (VIII IDRGVT)<br />
(b) Five new series of international trials were constituted and multiplied in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season for<br />
distribution to collaborators at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> centre, Patancheru, India as indicated below:<br />
1 Thirteenth International Medium-duration Groundnut Varietal Trial (SB) [XIII IMGVT(SB)]<br />
2 Thirteenth International Medium-duration Groundnut Varietal Trial (VB) [XIII IMGVT(VB)]<br />
3 Thirteenth International Foliar Diseases Resistant Groundnut Varietal Trial (XIII IFDRGVT)<br />
4 Ninth International Drought Resistant Groundnut Varietal Trial (IX IDRGVT)<br />
5 Fourth International Aflatoxin Resistant Groundnut Varietal Trial (IV IAFRGVT)<br />
258
Conclusions<br />
From elite trials, 12 (Spanish) and 6 (Virginia) lines for foliar disease resistance; 15 (Spanish) lines for<br />
medium duration; and 7 (Spanish) and 7 (Virginia) lines for drought tolerance were selected to include<br />
in International nursery trials<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Milestone: Farmer-preferred variety(ies) in each partner country identified <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Participatory farmer’s selection of varieties plays an important role in identification of elite groundnut<br />
genotypes suitable for local conditions/preferences with a significant bearing on subsequent adoption<br />
by farmers.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Participatory farmer’s selection of varieties is done by conducting on-farm trials.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The following farmer-preferred varieties of groundnut have been identified in partner countries.<br />
India: ICGV 91114 in AP, Orissa and Jharkhand and ICGS 76 in Chhattisgarh<br />
Nepal: Rajarshi, B4 and Baidehi<br />
Vietnam: L 14 and L 23, L26, D0401<br />
Conclusions<br />
Farmer’s preferred varieties have been successfully identified through on-farm trials in partner<br />
countries, India, Nepal and Vietnam.<br />
Milestone: Five interspecific derivatives of groundnut evaluated for TSV and peanut bud necrosis virus<br />
(PBNV) diseases and promising lines identified <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Wild relatives of groundnut (Arachis species) have multiple disease resistance. Painstaking work of<br />
using these diploid species in the crossing program has already been done at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Tetraploid and<br />
stable generation is already available. Since PBND is an important disease of groundnut, causing yield<br />
losses in the disease prone areas, some of the interspecific derivatives were tested for PBND resistance<br />
in its hotspot locations.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The material was first tested under glasshouse conditions at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in 2007 and the results were promising. Based on<br />
these results multilocation and testing in disease hotspot was undertaken in 2009-10.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
More than 300 interspecific derivatives of groundnut were screened in 2007 for PBND under<br />
glasshouse conditions at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Many of the derivatives did not show any infection visually and<br />
through ELISA. Sixteen interspecific derivative lines were screened in <strong>2010</strong> at PBND hotspot<br />
locations at Raichur and Ananthapur. The results of the screening experiment are presented in Table<br />
6.2. All the 16 lines showed low disease incidence at Ananthapur compared to the local check,<br />
whereas only 7 lines out of 16 showed low disease incidence at Raichur. Resistant lines (in bold) will<br />
be checked again for PBND incidence at the hotspot location/s to confirm resistance.<br />
Figure 6.1: PBND screening at Ananthapur Figure 6.2: PBND screening at Raichur<br />
259
Conclusions<br />
The screening experiment in both the hotspot locations show that it is possible to introgress PBND<br />
resistance from Arachis species and the activity on the development and screening of interspecific<br />
population should be expanded using all the available interspecific derivatives.<br />
Nalini Mallikarjuna, Harikrishna Sudini,<br />
Gururaj Sunkad (RARS, Raichur),<br />
and R Radhika (RARS, Ananthapur, India)<br />
Table 6.2. PBND disease screening data at hotspot locations at Raichur and Ananthapur<br />
PBND incidence at<br />
S.No.<br />
% PBND<br />
incidence at<br />
Ananthapur<br />
% PBND incidence<br />
at Raichur<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
(2007 glasshouse<br />
data)<br />
1 4.3 11.90 0.0<br />
2 3.30 13.16 0.0<br />
3 4.25 34.62 -<br />
4 4.57 28.57 -<br />
5 3.35 16.67 -<br />
6 2.03 12.66 0.0<br />
7 1.77 23.53 -<br />
8 4.63 20.63 -<br />
9 2.44 39.29 -<br />
10 9.09 8.47 -<br />
11 6.93 17.95 -<br />
12 8.33 13.16 0.0<br />
13 7.23 17.44 -<br />
14 8.69 12.36 -<br />
15 7.18 25.81 -<br />
16 9.85 3.45 -<br />
Local check - 43.75<br />
Local check >30 % -<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> check JL 24 90 %<br />
Milestone: Five stable interspecific derivatives with resistance to LLS and TSV/bud necrosis tested on<br />
farmers’ fields. 2011<br />
To be done during 2011<br />
Activity 6.1.1.2 GN: Develop a better understanding of inheritance of components of resistance to<br />
late leaf spot (LLS) and confectionery traits<br />
Milestone: Knowledge of inheritance of confectionery traits in two crosses gained and appropriate<br />
breeding strategy devised, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Knowledge of inheritance helps in designing an appropriate breeding program leading to better/desired<br />
results.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Generation mean analysis using the data of Parents, F1, BC1(backcross to parent 1), BC2 (backcross<br />
to parent 2) and F2<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Generation mean analysis to elucidate inheritance pattern of confectionery traits is completed and paper<br />
communicated for publication.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Inheritance studies have been completed and communicated for publication.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
260
Milestone: Three mapping populations for LLS, and two for confectionery traits developed 2011<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Four populations of Rcombinant Inbred Lines were developed followings single seed decent method<br />
from the crosses, JL 24X ICG 11337, and L 24 x ICG 1391 for LLS resistance; and ICGV 01393 x<br />
Chico and ICGV 02251 x Chico for confectionary traits.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
154 F8 RILs of the cross JL 24X ICG 11337 cross and 114 F8 RILs of JL 24 x ICG 13919 planted in<br />
rainy <strong>2010</strong> were screened for LLS.<br />
The mapping populations developed during 2009 rainy season which includes 561 F 8 RILs of JL 24 x<br />
ICG 11337 cross and 861 F 8 RILs of JL 24 x ICG 13919 cross and those developed for confectionary<br />
trait 678 and 781 F 6 RILs in ICGV 01393 x Chico and ICGV 02251 x Chico crosses, respectively were<br />
preserved in cold storage for future use in mapping studies.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Four mapping populations have been developed and made available to partners for further studies.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Output target 6.1.2 GN: Promising transgenic events of groundnut for resistance to TSV and<br />
PBNV available for commercialization and introgression in locally adapted germplasm<br />
Activity 6.1.2.1 GN: Develop transgenic events of groundnut for resistance to TSV and evaluate their<br />
performance under contained greenhouse and field conditions<br />
Milestone: Two transgenic events with resistance to TSV used for introgression into locally adapted<br />
groundnut genotypes 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
To develop and evaluate transgenic groundnut for resistance to TSV for which there is no available<br />
resistance in the existing germplasm.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Vector mediated transmission studies undertaken for event selection in greenhouse and strip trial under<br />
confined field conditions.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The transgenic events (18; including the ones showing delayed symptoms) that showed promise in<br />
virus challenging assays are being advanced to subsequent generations (T3) in the containment<br />
greenhouse for seed multiplication and to study the inheritance pattern and further evaluations. The<br />
selected transgenic groundnut events were confirmed by PCR and RT-PCR before subjecting for virus<br />
challenging. Vector-mediated virus challenging was carried out for subsequent evaluation of the<br />
previously selected transgenic events reducing the chance of varying viral loads in the inoculum, an<br />
important factor in standardization of virus challenging experiment. A comprehensive evaluation of<br />
these events was carried out using thrips-mediated transmission of virus under greenhouse conditions<br />
using cellulose butyrate cages having ventilators of 40 mesh.. Field grown parthenium plants infected<br />
with TSV were identified using ELISA. Pollen was collected from these plants for use as TSV source.<br />
The transgenic plants were grown in small pots and were kept under cellulose butyrate cage having<br />
ventilators of 40 mesh. Eight day old test plants were sprinkled with TSV infected parthenium pollen<br />
and 10 thrips/plant were released in these cages. Thrips were allowed to feed for 48 hours after which<br />
dimethoate @ 2 ml/L was sprayed to kill thrips. Plants were observed for symptom development for 15<br />
days. Both the symptomatic as well as symptomless plants were tested by ELISA for the presence of<br />
virus. The selected plants which did not show any symptoms of the disease were allowed to complete<br />
their life cycle and seeds were harvested for further evaluations.. A strip trial was conducted in a<br />
nethouse under confined field conditions for event selection during the rainy season of <strong>2010</strong>. The<br />
selected transgenic events were advanced to further generations. Additionally, over 50 marker-free<br />
transgenic events carrying the TSVcp gene have been developed and characterized at the molecular<br />
level using routine procedures. Preliminary biosafety data pertaining to protein heat stability, and<br />
pepsin digestibility assays as prerequisites for conducting contained field evaluations of these<br />
261
transgenic events has been generated. TSV coat protein got digested completely within a minute in the<br />
SGF (simulated grastric fluid) and it is confirmed by subjecting the digested protein samples to SDS-<br />
PAGE and western blot.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Eight selected events in T3 generations selected for advancement of generations for further<br />
phenotyping under confined field conditions.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and<br />
Harikrishna Sudini<br />
Activity 6.1.2.2 GN: Develop transgenic events of groundnut for resistance to PBNV and evaluate<br />
their performance under contained greenhouse and field conditions<br />
Milestone: At least 10 promising transgenic events identified and resistance to PBNV characterized<br />
under greenhouse conditions <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
To develop and evaluate transgenic groundnut for resistance to PBNV for which there is no available<br />
resistance in the existing germplasm.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The T 2 progenies from virus challenged (promising transgenic events) events were selected through<br />
molecular and phenotypic characterization and have been progressed to T6 generation. Since, earlier<br />
attempts to control PBNV were focused mainly on harnessing host plant resistance by cross protection<br />
or transgenic approaches to obtain coat protein mediated resistance, we hypothesize that apparent lack<br />
of resistance to PBNV in transgenic plants could be attributable to the presence of RNA silencing<br />
suppressor gene (NSs) in the PBNV genome, which could be rendering PBNVnp gene ineffective.<br />
Hence, strategies were developed for antisense or hairpin RNA mediated gene silencing in groundnut<br />
for resistance to PBNV.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The PBNVnp gene in an antisense orientation driven by the double 35S CaMV promoter in a markerfree<br />
plasmid (pZPP200) was used for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of groundnut. Among<br />
52 T 0 events, 22 were screened positive based on PCR, RT-PCR and western analysis and advanced to<br />
T 1 generation for seed multiplication. Besides, a variant of above construct that harbors genes encoding<br />
schaffold attached region protein (SARp) flanking the PBNV insert in the pPZP200 was designed and<br />
used for transformation. 11 primary transformants were produced and characterized at molecular level.<br />
Besides, T2 progenies of 10 transgenic events carrying PBNV N gene in antisense orientation (ASNP)<br />
were evaluated under greenhouse conditions using mechanical inoculation of PBNV. Interestingly, 6<br />
events didn’t show any symptoms of the disease. The selected events were advanced to further<br />
generations.<br />
Simultaneous strategies are being developed for hairpin RNA mediated gene silencing. Since the<br />
virulence factor and vital genes of PBNV are not known so far, many genes can be targeted and the<br />
silencing effects of individual gene can be studied. Coding regions of PBNV genome were identified<br />
for genes such as NP (nucleoprotein), NSm (movement protein) and NSs (Silencing suppressor protein)<br />
and gene-specific primers were designed for amplification of the desired gene fragments. Virusinfected<br />
groundnut leaf samples were collected and partial Ng and NSs genes were amplified using<br />
gene specific primers, cloned and confirmed by sequencing. Simultaneous targeting of multiple genes<br />
(Ng and NSs) using a chimeric hairpin RNA cassettes has been planned by generating chimeric RNAs<br />
using overlap extension PCR (OE-PCR) using two flanking and two bridge primers. A chimeric RNA<br />
construct was amplified successfully using this method where the targeting sequences of nucleoprotein<br />
(Ng) and silencing suppressor (NSs) genes was cloned and confirmed by sequencing. The constructs<br />
carrying single gene (Ng) and chimeric genes (Ng + NSs) in both sense and antisense orientation were<br />
cloned into pHANNIBAL vector and are currently being subcloned into binary vectors for use in<br />
transformation studies in tobacco and groundnut.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Several events carrying PBNVnp gene in antisense orientation (ASNP) showed very little or no<br />
symptoms of the disease under the virus challenging assays in greenhouse conditions. These events<br />
262
have been advanced to further generations for subsequent phenotyping using mechanical as well as<br />
vector mediated transmission assays.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and<br />
Harikrishna Sudini<br />
Chickpea<br />
Output target 6.1.1 CP: 50-100 chickpea breeding lines with high yield, improved seed traits and<br />
resistance to one or more biotic stresses [Fusarium wilt (FW), Ascochyta blight (AB), Botrytis<br />
gray mold (BGM) and Helicoverpa pod borer] developed and disseminated to NARS<br />
Activity 6.1.1.1 CP: Develop chickpea breeding lines (desi and kabuli) with enhanced resistance to<br />
AB, BGM and FW<br />
Milestone: 15-20 new high yielding FW resistant desi and kabuli chickpea breeding lines made<br />
available to NARS Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
Fusarium wilt (FW) is the most important root disease of chickpea in the SAT regions. All breeding<br />
materials developed for the SAT regions must have high resistance to FW.<br />
(A) International Nurseries:<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
International Chickpea Screening Nurseries (ICSNs) for desi and kabuli consisting of 18 advanced<br />
breeding lines each along with one common check and one local check were evaluated by partners. The<br />
ICSN-Desi was supplied to 25 locations (Allahabad, Badnapur, Banswara, Berhampore, Berthin,<br />
Dharwad, Dholi, Durgapur, Gulbarga, Hiriyur, Hisar, Jabalpur, Junagadh, IIPR-Kanpur, CSAU A&T-<br />
Kanpur, Ludhiana, Nandyal, New Delhi, Pantnagar, Rahuri, Raipur, Ranchi, Samba, Sehore and<br />
Shillongani), while ICSN-Kabuli was also supplied to 25 locations (Habak and all locations of ICSN-<br />
Desi, except Raipur).<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The data on evaluation was received from 25 locations for ICSN-Desi and 23 locations for ICSN-<br />
Kabuli . Based on overall mean of grain yield, seven entries in ICSN-Desi (ICCV 09102, ICCV 09103,<br />
ICCV 09104, ICCV 09106, ICCV 09107, ICCV 09112 and ICCV 09115) were found superior (at least<br />
5 % higher yield) to the common check JG 11. There was no kabuli entry that outperformed the<br />
common check KAK 2. But, 15 entries recorded larger seed (100-seed weight 39.3 to 44.3g as<br />
compared to 36.8g of KAK 2). The top five kabuli lines based on 100-seed weight are: ICCV 09304,<br />
ICCV 09311, ICCV 09312, ICCV 09313 and ICCV 09315.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Promising lines were identified and will be evaluated by partners in the station trials.<br />
PM Gaur, Shailesh Tripati, CLL Gowda and NARS partners<br />
(B) Station Trials:<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
In total, 82 chickpea breeding lines (32 desi & 50 kabuli) along with 2-3 checks were evaluated in RBD<br />
design to identify high yielding and FW resistant lines.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Selected 18 superior performing lines each in desi and kabuli types based on yield and FW resistance<br />
data as compared to checks (JG 11 in desi type and KAK 2 in kabuli type). The top five desi lines with<br />
high yield and good tolerance levels to FW are ICCX-030053-F4-P1-BP-BP, ICCX-03003-F4-P14BP-<br />
BP, ICCX-030038-F4-P6-BP-BP, ICCX-030038-F4-P28-BP-BP and ICCX-030042-F4-P9-BP-BP.<br />
The average increase in yield in the selected desi lines was 10-12% over the check. The top five kabuli<br />
lines selected are ICCX-030163-F4-P13-BP-BP, ICCX-030163-F4-P16-BP-BP, ICCX-030185-F4-<br />
P12-BP-BP, ICCX-030141-F4-P9-BP-BP and ICCX-030188-F4-P3-BP-BP. The overall increase in<br />
yield of the best performing kabuli lines was 10-15% (over the check). Kabuli large seeded lines were<br />
263
selected based on their 100 seed weight and FW resistance in relation to the check KAK 2. The top five<br />
lines are ICCX-030208-F4-P8-BP-BP, ICCX-030208-F4-P7-BP-BP, ICCX-030208-F4-P6-BP-BP,<br />
ICCX-030199-F4-P22-BP-BP and ICCX-030178-F4-P9-BP-BP. Percentage increase in seed weight of<br />
the superior performing lines over the check was ~ 30%.<br />
Conclusions<br />
18 lines each in desi and kabuli types along with 11 lines in kabuli large type were selected and made<br />
available to the NARS partners in form of ICSNs.<br />
PM Gaur, Shailesh Tripathi, CLL Gowda,<br />
Suresh Pande and Mamta Sharma<br />
(C) Identification of sources of FW resistance:<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Fifty advanced, 90 further advanced chickpea lines and in collaboration with NARS partners (AICRP-<br />
Chickpea), 236 entries [IVT –desi (27), AVT 1-late sown (6), IVT-late sown (24), IVT-rainfed (24),<br />
AVT 1-kabuli (16), AVT 1-extra large kabuli (8), IVT-kabuli (16), IVT 1-extra large kabuli (8),<br />
National Nursery - NNW lines (73), Differential lines (12), wilt resistance lines –W (22)] belonging to<br />
different national trials were evaluated for wilt and root rot resistance in multiple disease sick plot and<br />
for fusarium wilt (FW) resistance in wilt sick plot under artificial epiphytotic conditions following<br />
standard field evaluation technique at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Among the 50 advanced lines, 38 lines were found resistant (
Milestone: 20-30 sources of resistance to FW, BGM, and AB tested for stability across locations and<br />
pathotypes in Asia Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
(1) To identify stable and broad based resistance to Fusarium wilt (FW), ascochyta blight (AB) and<br />
botrytis grey mold (BGM), chickpea lines having resistance to FW, AB and BGM identified at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru for multilocational evaluation, and (2) to find out virulent pathotype for<br />
laboratory and greenhouse studies.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Evaluation of Chickpea Nurseries for resistance to FW, Ascochyta Blight (AB) and Botrytis Gray Mold<br />
(BGM):The chickpea wilt and root rot nursery (CWRRN) at 13 locations, International Ascochyta<br />
Blight Nursery (IABN) at three locations and International Botrytis Gray Mold Nursery (IBGMN) at<br />
three locations were evaluated for FW, AB and BGM resistance in India during 2009-10 season. Each<br />
nursery, consisted of 30 entries, of which 28 were resistant/ moderately resistant to FW/AB/BGM +2<br />
susceptible cultivars for each disease. Data on wilt was recorded thrice at seedling, flowering and at<br />
maturity stages of the crop. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru the wilt nursery material was evaluated in wilt<br />
sick plot and for AB and BGM nursery was evaluated under controlled environment conditions<br />
following standardized whole plant screening technique.<br />
Collection, purification and maintenance of pathotypes: The isolates of different pathogens (Fusarium<br />
oxysporum f. sp. ciceris, Ascochyta rabiei, Botrytis cinerea and Rhizoctonia bataticola) were collected<br />
from infected chickpea roots and foliar parts from different locations of India. The chickpea infected<br />
plant parts (stem and root) from each location were surface sterilized with 1% NaOCl for 2 min and<br />
plated on different selective medium.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Evaluation of Chickpea Nurseries for resistance to FW, AB and BGM: Out of 13 CWRRN locations,<br />
one entry ICCV 05529 was found resistant (
Materials and Methods<br />
One thousand sixty six F5-F7 progenies and 114 advanced breeding lines from COGGO project were<br />
evaluated for FW in wilt sick plot under artificial epiphytotic conditions and for AB and BGM under<br />
controlled environment conditions at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Out of 1066, F5-F7 populations, 99 showed asymptomatic (0% incidence), 57 showed resistant<br />
reaction (0.1-10% incidence) and 73 showed moderate resistant reaction (10.1-20% incidence) to FW.<br />
Four entries (ICCX-040123-F3-P5, ICCX-040123-F3-P13, ICCX-040123-F3-P23 and ICCX-040168-<br />
F4-P23-BP) showed resistant reaction (0.1-10% incidence) and 293 showed moderate resistant reaction<br />
(10.1-20% incidence) to AB. High levels of resistance to BGM were not found in F5-F7 populations.<br />
However, 141 entries showed moderate resistant reaction (10.1- 20% incidence) to BGM. Out of 114<br />
advanced AB resistant lines, four (ICCV 05527, ICCV 05528, ICCV 05533 and ICCV 05534) showed<br />
resistant reaction (0.1-10% incidence) and five (ICCV 05507, ICCV 05526, ICCV 08312, ICCV 97207<br />
and ICCV 98504) moderate resistant reaction (10.1-20% incidence) to wilt.<br />
Combined resistance:<br />
• Thirty three entries showed combined resistance to FW (
ICC 13524, ICC 15762, and ICC 16903 suffered lower H. armigera damage and plant mortality due to<br />
seedling diseases, and also exhibited high yield potential under unprotected conditions.<br />
In the medium-duration nursery, pod borer infestation was very high and the leaf damage ratings at the<br />
vegetative stage (30 days after seedling emergence) varied from 6.0 – 9.0 (7.0 in ICC 3137). At<br />
maturity, the overall resistance score ranged from 4.5 – 8.5 (7.0 in ICC 3137). There were 0.0 to 6.0<br />
larvae per 5 plants at the vegetative stage and 2.0 – 26.5 larvae at the flowering stage (compared to 4.5<br />
and 26.5 larvae in ICC 3137 at the vegetative and flowering stages, respectively). Twenty-two lines<br />
showed a yield potential of 1.16 to 1.73 tonnes ha -1 under unprotected conditions compared to 1.95<br />
tonnes ha -1 of ICCV 10 and 0.62 tonnes ha -1 of KAK 2. Four lines showed a yield potential of 1.0 - 1.6<br />
tonnes ha -1 under unprotected conditions compared to 0.5 tonnes ha -1 of KAK 2. Fourteen lines suffered<br />
09118 suffered moderate levels of pod damage, 1.52 tonnes ha -1 (compared to 1.6 tonnes ha -1 in JG 11).<br />
Evaluation of advanced breeding lines for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera:<br />
Rationale<br />
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests of chickpea. Therefore, there<br />
is a need to develop insect resistant cultivars to reduce the extent of losses due to this pest. Therefore,<br />
we evaluated the chickpea nurseries for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera during the 2009/10<br />
postrainy season to identify high yielding lines with resistance/tolerance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Advanced breeding/germplasm lines with potential for adaptation across Asia and Africa (142) were<br />
evaluated for resistance to H. armigera under field conditions. There were two replications in a<br />
randomized complete block design. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, H. armigera damage at<br />
the vegetative and maturity stages visually on a damage rating scale of 1 - 9, H. armigera eggs and<br />
larvae per 5 plants at the vegetative and flowering stages, wilt (%), and grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The genotypes D001 (ICCV 10 x ICC 4522), D002 (ICCV 10 x ICC 4522), D017 (ICCV 10 x ICC<br />
4874), D027 (ICCV 10 x ICC 6924), D029 (ICCV 10 x ICC 12451), D049 (ICCV 93954 x ICC 4522),<br />
D063 (ICCV 93954 x ICC 4874), ICCV 07104, ICCV 08106, ICCV 0810, K034, ICCV 08311, and JG<br />
130 exhibited moderate levels of resistance to pod borer, less susceptibility to diseases, and high yield<br />
potential. The results suggested that a number of breeding lines had good levels of recovery resistance<br />
despite suffering heavy pod borer damage during the vegetative stage. In another experiment, a set of<br />
30 lines was evaluated for resistance to H. armigera under field and laboratory conditions. The<br />
genotypes D039, D050, ICCV 09311, ICCV 95334, and K010 exhibited moderate levels of resistance<br />
to pod borer, and had yield potential of >10 q ha -1 under natural infestation.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The results suggested that a number of selected germplasm/breeding lines had good levels of recovery<br />
resistance despite suffering heavy pod borer damage during the vegetative stage.<br />
HC Sharma, PM Gaur and CLL Gowda<br />
International chickpea Helicoverpa resistance screening nursery<br />
Rationale<br />
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests of chickpea. Therefore, there<br />
is a need to develop insect resistant cultivars to reduce the extent of losses due to this pest. Therefore,<br />
we evaluated the chickpea nurseries for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera during the 2009/10<br />
postrainy season to identify high yielding lines with resistance/tolerance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
The international Helicoverpa resistance screening nursery (30 lines) was evaluated for resistance to H.<br />
armigera under field conditions, and also distributed to several NARS for evaluation. There were three<br />
replications in a randomized complete block design. Observations were recorded on H. armigera<br />
damage on a 1 to 9 scale (1 = 80% leaf area/pods<br />
damaged), larval density, and grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
At <strong>ICRISAT</strong> – Patancheru, the genotypes ICC 5383, ICC 10393, ICC 1356, ICC 637, ICC 14402, ICC<br />
14831, ICCV 07113, ICCV 07106, ICCV 07104, ICCV 07105, ICCVX 960183-4, ICCVX 960183-28,<br />
ICCVX 960183-72, and ICCV 10 had low H. armigera incidence, and suffered low damage during the<br />
vegetative and/or flowering stage. Of these, ICCV 07106, ICCV 07104, ICCV 07105, and ICCV 10<br />
showed a yield potential of >1.5 tonnes ha -1 compared to 0.5 tonnes ha -1 of ICC 3137 under<br />
unprotected conditions.<br />
At ARS, Gulbarga, the genotypes ICC 867, ICC 4533, ICC 14402, EC 583311, EC 583318, ICCV<br />
07104, ICC 506EB, and ICC 4973 had low H. armigera incidence, and suffered low damage during the<br />
vegetative and/or flowering stage. Some of these varieties exhibited high yield potential under<br />
268
unprotected conditions. At ARS, Tandur, the genotypes EC 583260, EC 583264, ICC 1356, ICC 4958,<br />
ICC 5383, ICCV07106, ICCV 07104, ICCVX 960183-69, ICCX 960183-28, ICCX 960183-72, and<br />
ICCX 960186-1 had low H. armigera incidence, and suffered low damage during the vegetative and/or<br />
flowering stage, and also good yield potential under unprotected conditions.<br />
Conclusions<br />
High yielding lines with resistance/tolerance to pod borer can be used in chickpea improvement<br />
programs by the NARS.<br />
HC Sharma, JB Gopali, CLL Gowda and PM Gaur<br />
Milestone: 5-10 lines with resistance to both FW and Helicoverpa identified (CLLG/HCS/SP) 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera) is the major pest causing damage to chickpea at all stages of growth.<br />
Damage is severe when pest attacks the crop during flowering and pod formation. As part of the<br />
resistance breeding program, we have identified a few germplasm and breeding lines that are less<br />
susceptible to Helicoverpa damage.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
We made 70 crosses involving less susceptible lines and agronomically superior varieties/lines. This<br />
included 21 desi x desi type crosses, 15 kabuli x kabuli crosses, 11 crosses involving advanced<br />
breeding lines and 23 four-way crosses (F 1 xF 1 ).<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Out of 61 F 2 populations grown, we harvested 27 bulks that survived wilt incidence. There were no<br />
wilt resistant plants in the remaining F 2 populations. From among the 56 F 3 populations grown, we<br />
selected 485 single plants for resistance to Helicoverpa damage. We also selected 1003 single plants<br />
from the 119 F 4 bulks grown during this season.<br />
We evaluated 15 progenies in Advanced Yield Trial (AYT) and 24 progenies in Preliminary Yield<br />
Trial (PYT), in replicated trials (3 replications). From these trials, we selected 8 lines from AYT and 12<br />
lines from PYT for further evaluation.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Single plants resistant to Helicoverpa were selected and also selected lines from AYTs and PYTs for<br />
further evaluation.<br />
CLL Gowda and PM Gaur<br />
Milestone: Physico-chemical mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa identified and nature of<br />
inheritance studied 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Resistance to pod borer, H. armigera is conditioned by acid exudates in the leaves and pods. The<br />
present studies were undertaken to study the variation in organic acid profiles at different stages of<br />
plant growth in relation to expression of resistance to the pod borer, H. armigera.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
HPLC profiles of four chickpea genotypes (ICC 506EB, ICCV 10, C 235, and L 550), which had<br />
shown different levels of resistance to the pod borer, H. armigera, were studied in relation to<br />
expression of resistance to this insect. Analysis was carried out by using Atlantis dC-18 column (4.6 x<br />
250 mm, 5 μm). Chromatographic separation was done using mobile phase (potassium phosphate<br />
buffer, pH 2.5) with a flow rate 0.8 ml min -1 , and the injected volume was 20 μl with 20 min run time<br />
per sample. The amounts of the organic acids were estimated from the standard curves prepared with<br />
the standards. Expression of resistance to H. armigera was measured by using detached leaf assay.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Highest numbers of peaks (11) were observed in C 235 at the podding stage, and lowest (6) numbers of<br />
peaks were observed in ICC 506, ICCV 10, and L 550 at the vegetative stage, and L 550 at the podding<br />
stage. At vegetative and flowering stages ICC 506 had the highest amount of oxalic acid on dry weight<br />
and leaf area basis. At the podding stage, ICCV 10 had the highest amount of oxalic acid on dry weight<br />
269
asis, whereas on leaf area basis, ICC 506 had the highest amount. On dry weight basis, ICCV 10 had<br />
the highest amount of malic acid at the vegetative, flowering, and podding stages. On leaf area basis,<br />
ICCV 10 had the highest amount of malic acid at the vegetative stage, whereas C 235 had the highest<br />
amount of malic acid at the flowering and podding stages. Fumaric and citric acids were recorded at the<br />
podding stage only. The genotype C 235 had highest amounts of fumaric and citric acids. There was no<br />
citric acid in ICC 506. Leaf feeding and larval weights were lowest on ICC 506EB, followed by ICCV<br />
10, C 235, and L 550.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Variation in expression of resistance to pod borer, H. armigera is influenced by the profiles of organic<br />
acids in the leaf/pod exudates.<br />
HC Sharma<br />
Output target 6.1.2 CP: Molecular markers for AB, BGM, and Helicoverpa resistance identified<br />
in chickpea<br />
Activity 6.1.2.1 CP: Mapping and marker-assisted breeding for diseases and insect resistance in<br />
chickpea<br />
Milestone: QTLs for Helicoverpa resistance identified from C. arietinum x C. reticulatum RIL<br />
population 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Pod borer (Helicoverpa armigera Hubner) is a highly devastating insect pest of chickpea worldwide.<br />
Development of insect resistance cultivars will improve the chickpea productivity and livelihoods of<br />
farmers. Marker-assisted selection would improve precession and efficiency of breeding for<br />
Helicoverpa resistance.<br />
(A) Identification of QTL for Helicoverpa resistance from a RIL population derived from C.<br />
arietinum x C. reticulatum cross<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The genotyping data of 1589 mapped markers (generated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and data procured from<br />
collaborators) on mapping population ICC 4958 × PI 489777 was used together with phenotyping data<br />
collected for two years (2007-2008 and 2008-2009) for identification of QTLs for insect resistance.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
QTL analysis has provided several QTLs based on the phenotypic data obtained during 2007-08.<br />
Details about these QTLs are provided in Table 6.3. Detailed analysis of these QTL results is in<br />
progress.<br />
Table 6.3: Summary on identification of Helicoverpa resistance QTLs during 2007-08 and 2008-<br />
09 based on phenotyping using detached leaf assay and field evaluation<br />
Trait<br />
QTL 2007 2008 Common<br />
Name<br />
No.<br />
of<br />
QTLs<br />
Phenotypic<br />
variance<br />
(%)<br />
No. of<br />
QTLs<br />
Phenotypic<br />
variance<br />
(%)<br />
QTLs<br />
Detached leaf assay<br />
Leaf Damage rating (vegetative) LDV 1 11.5 - -<br />
Leaf Damage rating (flowering) LDF 3 8-17.9 4 5.03-5.18 3 (8-11.5)<br />
Unit larval vegetative wt (mg) ULV 2 6.3-9.5 4 5.01-6.38 2 (5-9.5)<br />
Unit larval flowering wt (mg) ULF 4 9.1-13.7 3 5-8.7 3 (5-13)<br />
Damage rate DR - - 2 11-14.3<br />
Larval Survival (%) LS - - 2 14-23<br />
Unit Larval Weight ULW - - 4 9-20.4<br />
Field evaluation<br />
270
Damage rating vegetative DRV 4 7-14.1 3 5-10.8 -<br />
Helicoverpa larvae/10 plants HLP 4 8-17.7 4 5.0-54.2 3 (5-9.5)<br />
Days to First flower DfF - - 2 10.8-14<br />
Days to 50% flower DFF - - 2 11-15.5<br />
No of larvae vegetative NLV - - 2 8-43<br />
No of larvae flowering NLF - - 2 5.1-5.3<br />
Damaging rating at vegetative DRV - - 3 5.1-10.4<br />
Damaged pods (%) DP - - 5 5.0-5.8<br />
Conclusions<br />
Although several QTLs were identified, it was not possible to identify the major effect and consistent<br />
QTLs that can be used in molecular breeding.<br />
Rajeev Varshney, HC Sharma, PM Gaur and Mahendar Thudi<br />
(2) Evaluation of intraspecific mapping population (ICC 506EB x Vijay) for resistance to pod<br />
borer, Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Intraspecific mapping population derivatives derived from ICC 506EB x Vijay (200 lines) along with<br />
resistant and susceptible checks, and the two parents were evaluated for resistance to pod borer, H.<br />
armigera under natural infestation in the field. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, leaf and pod<br />
damage visually on a 1 to 9 scale, egg and larval numbers per 5 plants, pod damage, wilt incidence, and<br />
grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The RIL numbers 6, 19, 20, 24, 26, 28, 30, 39, 44, 48, 49, 51, 53, 56, 71, 76, 83, 84, 101, 104, 113,<br />
131, 140, 145, 150, 161, 166, 170, 178, 183, 184, 185, 192, and 196 had damage ratings at the<br />
vegetative and maturity stages comparable to or lower than the resistant check, ICC, 506EB, and /or<br />
exhibited high yield potential. These lines also had lower egg and/or larval population than on the<br />
susceptible check, ICC 3137.<br />
(3) Evaluation of interspecific (C. arietinum x C. reticulatum) derivatives for resistance to pod<br />
borer, Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Rationale<br />
The levels of resistance to the pod borer, H. armigera in the cultivated germplasm are low to moderate,<br />
and therefore, we evaluated the interspecific derivatives derived from ICC 4958 (Cicer arietinum) x PI<br />
489777 (Cicer reticulatum) (128 lines for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera identify lines with high<br />
levels of resistance/tolerance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Interspecific derivatives derived from ICC 4958 (Cicer arietinum) x PI 489777 (Cicer reticulatum)<br />
(128 lines along with resistant – ICC 506EB, susceptible - ICC 3137, commercial – ICCC 37, local –<br />
Annigeri, and Kabuli – L 550 checks, along with the two parents) were evaluated for resistance to pod<br />
borer, H. armigera under natural infestation in the field. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, leaf<br />
and pod damage visually on a 1 to 9 scale, egg and larval numbers per 5 plants, pod damage, wilt<br />
incidence, and grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Among the early-duration lines, EC 583250, EC 583255, EC 583260, EC 583265, EC 583267, EC<br />
583271, EC 583285, EC 583313, EC 583316, EC 583331, EC 583356, and EC 593337 had damage<br />
ratings at the vegetative and maturity stages comparable to or lower than the resistant check, ICC 506.<br />
These lines also had lower egg and/or larval population than on the susceptible check, ICC 3137.<br />
Among the medium-duration lines, EC 583249, EC 583266, EC 583304, EC 583318, EC 583321, EC<br />
583339, EC 583347, EC 583348, EC 583350, EC 583353, and EC 593354 had damage ratings at the<br />
vegetative and maturity stages comparable to or lower than the resistant check, ICC 506. These lines<br />
also had lower egg and/or larval population than on the susceptible check, ICC 3137. Among the long-<br />
271
duration progenies, EC 583253, EC 583282, EC 583304, EC 583298, EC 583309, EC 583319, EC<br />
583325, EC 583327, EC 583350, EC 583353, and EC 593376 had damage ratings at the vegetative and<br />
maturity stages comparable to or lower than the resistant check, ICC 506, and had lower egg and/or<br />
larval population than on the susceptible check, ICC 3137.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Interspecific derivatives with resistance levels comparable to the resistance check, ICC 506, good grain characteristics, and<br />
high yield potential will be useful for chickpea improvement in the national program.<br />
HC Sharma and PM Gaur<br />
Output target 6.1.3 CP: Interspecific derivatives with resistance to AB, BGM and Helicoverpa<br />
developed<br />
Activity 6.1.3.1 CP: Inter-specific derivatives with resistance to Helicoverpa and BGM generated<br />
using wild Cicer from different gene pools<br />
Milestone: Wild relatives with diverse mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa identified 2009<br />
Evaluation of wild relatives of chickpea for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Rationale<br />
The levels of resistance to the pod borer, H. armigera in the cultivated germplasm are low to moderate,<br />
and therefore, we evaluated the wild relatives of chickpea for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera<br />
identify accessions with high levels, and diverse mechanisms of resistance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Sixteen wild relatives of chickpea were evaluated for resistance to H. armigera along with resistant<br />
(ICC 506) and susceptible (ICCC 37, ICC 3137, and L 550) checks under field conditions. There were<br />
three replications in a completely randomized design.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The accessions IG 69979, IG 70006, IG 7018, PI 51063, and PI569217 had low incidence of H.<br />
armigera, and also suffered low leaf and pod damage. In the detached leaf assay, the lines IG 69979,<br />
IG 7012, IG 72933, PI 568217, and PI 599066 exhibited high levels of antibiosis to pod borer, H.<br />
armigera.<br />
Fifteen accessions of perennial wild relatives of chickpea were also evaluated for resistance to H.<br />
armigera using detached leaf assay at the Regional Research Station, Himachal Agricultural<br />
University, Kukumseri, Himachal Pradesh, India. Data were recorded on leaf feeding, larval survival<br />
after five days, and the larval weights. Leaf damage rating, larval survival were lower on PI 599087, PI<br />
599083, and PI 599085 as compared to the insects fed on the leaves of PI 599089.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Wild relatives of chickpea showed high levels of antibiosis to the pod borer, H. armigera, and hence,<br />
there is a good possibility on diversifying the basis of resistance to pod borer by introgressing the<br />
resistance genes into the cultigen through wide hybridization.<br />
HC Sharma and Sanjay Sharma<br />
Milestone: Interspecific derivatives (10) with enhanced resistance to AB, BGM, and Helicoverpa<br />
identified and made available to partners <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Chickpea is prone to pod borer attach with low levels of resistance in cultivated germplasm. Wild<br />
relatives of chickpea are known to have multiple disease and pest resistance.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Interspecific derivatives derived from C. reticulatum, after selecting for pod borer resistance at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> farm were screening at different chickpea growing sites in India.<br />
272
Results and Discussion<br />
Advance generation derivatives derived from C. reticulatum were screened for H. armigera at five<br />
different locations including <strong>ICRISAT</strong> farm. In Akola and Tandur damage due to the insect was low<br />
compared to the damage ratings at Dharwad and Jabalpur. Nevertheless some lines showed low<br />
damage. Amongst these, 20 lines were screened for ascochyta blight under <strong>ICRISAT</strong> glasshouse<br />
conditions and one line showed resistance to the disease.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Moderate levels of resistance to pod borers can be transferred from Cicer species. Since all the lines<br />
were not screened for AB and none to BGM, screening for these two diseases should be taken in their<br />
hotspot locations.<br />
Nalini Mallikarjuna, HC Sharma, PM Gaur, S Pande<br />
Output target 6.1.4 CP: Promising transgenic events of chickpea with proven resistance to<br />
Helicoverpa available for introgression in locally adapted germplasm<br />
Activity 6.1.4.1 CP: Develop transgenic events of chickpea for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera<br />
and evaluate their performance under contained greenhouse and field conditions<br />
Milestone: One or two transgenic events of chickpea identified and used for introgression into locally<br />
adapted genotypes and the progeny characterized and evaluated 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Despite the efforts made over the past four decades to breed for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera in<br />
chickpea, the progress has been less than satisfactory in many cases. The resistance to Helicoverpa in<br />
chickpea germplasm has been so far found to be low to moderate, and therefore it is important to<br />
evaluate the use of biotechnology to provide alternative, and hopefully higher, levels of resistance. An<br />
important strategy for improving the resistance of chickpea to Helicoverpa can be the use of genetic<br />
transformation to introduce the insecticidal protein genes from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)<br />
and other heterologous sources.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A focused approach was been initiated to engineer resistance to H. armigera by using cry1Ac, Cry2Aa<br />
and Cry1Aabc genes through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation of chickpea.<br />
For efficient expression of cry genes, six different gene constructs with different promoters were used.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
A total of 200 primary transgenic events were produced in chickpea by using the cry2Aa (64 events)<br />
and the cry2A (95 events) and the cryAbc (22 events) genes through Agrobacterium tumefaciensmediated<br />
genetic transformation of a popular chickpea cultivar, C 235. Molecular characterization<br />
using PCR was performed for all the plants carrying the cry2A and cry2Aa genes to confirm their<br />
presence. Out of 159 independent putative transgenic events tested, 90 events showed the integration of<br />
the Bt gene. ELISA was also carried out for PCR confirmed transgenic events carrying the cry2Aa and<br />
cry2A genes for confirmation of protein expression where 14 transgenic events (8 with cry2A and 6<br />
with cry2Aa) showed positive expression in ELISA analysis. Plants carrying the cry1Abc are being<br />
screened using PCR analysis to confirm the gene of interest and ELISA will be carried out to check the<br />
expression of inserted genes. The selected transgenic events that previously showed some level of<br />
resistance to Helicoverpa in previous insect bioassays results were advanced to further generations for<br />
further phenotypic evaluations.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Based on detached leaf bioassays for 11 events of chickpea carrying different cry genes,7 events with<br />
superior performance have been advanced to further generations for subsequent evaluations.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur, HC Sharma<br />
273
Non-hyrbid Pigeonpea<br />
Output target 6.1.1 PP: About 5-6 pigeonpea varieties with stable resistance to Fusarium wilt,<br />
sterility mosaic and Helicoverpa made available to NARS<br />
Activity 6.1.1.1 PP: About 15 new genetically diverse germplasm sources/breeding lines resistant to<br />
wilt and sterility mosaic diseases identified<br />
Milestones 6.1.1.1.1 25-30 pigeonpea lines tested multilocationally for their stability to wilt and<br />
sterility mosaic resistance in India - Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
To identify stable and broad based resistance to fusarium wilt (FW) and sterility mosaic disease<br />
(SMD), pigeonpea lines having resistance to FW and SMD identified at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru were<br />
evaluated for resistance to both the diseases at different locations.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Pigeonpea wilt and sterility mosaic disease nursery (PWSMDN) material was evaluated at different<br />
locations. It consisted of 30 entries, 28 entries were resistant to both wilt and SMD and the other two<br />
were wilt susceptible (ICP 2376) and SMD susceptible (ICP 8863) checks. Additionally, two local<br />
susceptible checks, one for wilt and the other for SMD were also included from the participating<br />
location. In most of the locations the nursery was planted in wilt sick plot for wilt and for SMD,<br />
standard leaf staple technique was followed for SMD development.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Of the 28 entries, five entries (ICPL’s 20094, 20110, 20116, 20120 and 20134) were found<br />
asymptomatic/ resistant (
• Resistant genetic stock for wilt: Three entries (BSMR 853, IPA 16F and IPA 204) were found<br />
combined resistance (>10%) to FW and SMD. Two entries were found asymptomatic and<br />
resistant to FW. Four entries were found asymptomatic and two entries resistant to SMD.<br />
• Multilocational evaluation of promising entries for wilt: Combined resistance (10%) to<br />
both FW and SMD. Two entries showed resistant reaction to FW and 5 entries showed resistant<br />
reaction (
Results and Discussion<br />
a. Collection and purification of isolates of Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp. cajani (Pdc):<br />
Pathogenicity test and Koch’s postulates were proved using a susceptible cultivar ICP 7119<br />
following soil drench inoculation technique under greenhouse conditions at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-<br />
Patancheru. Single sporangial cultures were obtained following standardized mycological<br />
techniques and maintained in V8 juice agar slants at 4 o C in refrigerator for further studies.<br />
b. Morphological characters: The isolates varied in their cultural and morphological<br />
characters. The colony color varied from creamy white to light pink. The chlamydospores and<br />
sporangia were produced at 12-15 days after inoculation.<br />
c. Virulence of P. drechsleri f. sp. cajani: Two inoculation methods (spray inoculation and soil<br />
drench) were followed for this study. The soil drench inoculation method at 25 o C showed<br />
highest percent disease incidence (>80%) within 8-10 days after inoculation. However, spray<br />
inoculation method showed blight symptoms on leaves at 15 o C.<br />
Suresh Pande and Mamta Sharma<br />
(D) Variety Re-constitution Program<br />
Rationale<br />
To reconstitute pureline of at least 5 varieties of pigeonpea.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
In <strong>2010</strong>, the following lines were selected to reconstitute pureline varieties: Asha (ICPL 87119), Maruti<br />
(ICP 8863), Lakshmi (ICPL 85063), VL Arhar-1 (ICPL 88039), and Kamica (ICP 7035).<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Plants were evaluated for disease resistance under field and glasshouse conditions. Single plant<br />
progenies of these selected plants were evaluated during <strong>2010</strong> rainy season (Asha - 2 progenies with 50<br />
entries; Maruti - 2 progenies with 30 entries; Lakshmi - 6 progenies; VL Arhar 1 - 15 progenies with 45<br />
entries; and Kamica - 3 progenies with 11 entries.<br />
KB Saxena, RK Srivastava, MG Mula<br />
Activity 6.1.1.2 PP: Genetically diverse germplasm / breeding lines with resistance to Helicoverpa<br />
identified<br />
Milestone: At least 10 germplasm/breeding lines with resistance to Helicoverpa identified and made<br />
available to partners 2009<br />
Evaluation of pigeonpea germplasm for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera:<br />
Rationale<br />
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests of pigeonpea. Chemical<br />
control of H. armigera is costly, and also leads to development of resistance to insecticides. There is a<br />
need to develop insect resistant cultivars to reduce the extent of losses due to this pest. Therefore, we<br />
evaluated the pigeonpea reference collection (305 lines) for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera during<br />
the 2009/10 postrainy season to identify sources of resistance to this pest for use in pigeonpea<br />
improvement.<br />
Material and Methods:<br />
We evaluated 146 pigeonpea germplasm accessions for resistance to H. armigera along with resistant<br />
and susceptible checks under field conditions. There were three replications in a randomized complete<br />
block design. Data were recorded on pod borer damage on a 1 to 9 rating scale (1 = 80% pods damaged and pods<br />
present only on a few branches), and grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The ICP numbers 995, 1071, 1279, 1356, 4307, 4515, 4903, 5142, 6845, 6859, 6929, 7076, 7507,<br />
8012, 8227, 8700, 8757, 8793, 8949, 9045, 9691, 10094, 10228, 10559, 11320, 11321, 11690, 11823,<br />
12298, 12515, 13167, 134131, 13579, 13662, 13884, 14094, 14120, 14545, and 14722 exhibited<br />
moderate levels of resistance to pod borer, H. armigera. Although the H. armigera damage to the first<br />
flush was very high (DR 6 – 9), these lines also showed good yield potential (>10 q ha -1 ) under<br />
276
unprotected conditions, and can be used for developing pigeonpea varieties with less susceptibility to<br />
H. armigera.<br />
Three sets of 12, 50, and 31 lines belonging to short-, medium-, and long-duration maturity groups,<br />
respectively, were also evaluated for resistance to H. armigera under natural infestation in the field.<br />
There were three replications in a randomized complete block design. Data were recorded on<br />
agronomic traits, recovery resistance score on a 1 to 9 damage rating scale (1 = 80% pods damaged and pods present<br />
only on a few branches), wilt incidence, and grain yield.<br />
The pod borer damage (both H. armigera and M. vitrata) in the early-maturity group was very high<br />
(DR 7 – 9). The genotypes ICP 7203-1, ICPL 187-1, and ENT 11 yielded more (5.0 – 7.9 q ha -1 ) than<br />
the commercial check, UPAS 120 (3.2 q ha -1 ). Among the medium duration lines ICP 2933, ICP 5825,<br />
ICP7337-2, ICPB 2407B, ICPR 2899, ICPR 2913, ICPHaRL 4985-10, ICPHaRL 4985-1, LRG 41, and<br />
eight selections from the interspecific derivatives exhibited moderate levels of resistance to pod borers,<br />
and also had yield potential comparable to ICPL 332WR and/or ICPL 87119. In the long-duration<br />
group, the genotypes ICP 3616, ICP 5390, ICP 8102, ICP 81027-E3-6EB, ICP 8595-E1-EB, ICP<br />
12510, ICP 12510-1, ICPB 2030, ICPR 2925, and NP (WR)-15 exhibited recovery resistance and yield<br />
levels better than the resistant, ICPL 332WR and commercial checks, ICPL 87119.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Genotypes (ICP 2933, ICP 5825, ICPHaRL 4985-10, ICPHaRL 4985-1, and LRG 41) showing stable<br />
resistance to pod borer, H. armigera can be used in pigeonpea improvement programs.<br />
HC Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Relative susceptibility of pigeonpea hybrids and their parents to Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Rationale<br />
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests of pigeonpea. Therefore, there<br />
is a need to develop insect resistant cultivars to reduce the extent of losses due to this pest. Therefore,<br />
we evaluated the hybrid parents for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera during the 2009/10 postrainy<br />
season to identify high yielding lines with resistance/tolerance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Six hybrids along with two pairs of maintainer/male-sterile lines, 9 varieties, and nine restorer lines in<br />
the short duration group; and 10 hybrids, three pairs of A/B lines, and 10 restorer lines, along with four<br />
checks were evaluated for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera under field conditions. There were three<br />
replications in a randomized complete block design. Data were recorded on H. armigera damage,<br />
recovery and overall resistance scores visually, pod damage, egg and larval numbers per 5<br />
inflorescences, and grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Damage by H. armigera in all the hybrids in the first flush was very high, and therefore recovery<br />
resistance scores were recorded at maturity. In the short-duration group, the recovery resistance scores<br />
ranged from 7.0 to 9.0, and the genotypes PPE 54-2, ICPL 187-1, ICPL 98008, ICPR 2363, ICPR<br />
2431, and ENT 11 showed moderate levels of recovery resistance, and yield potential 3.5 – 7.2 q ha -1 as<br />
compared to 3.1 ha -1 of ICPL 87. These genotypes also had lower numbers of eggs and larvae of H.<br />
armigera. None of the hybrids exhibited tolerance to pod borer damage. In the medium-duration group,<br />
the recovery resistance scores ranged from 5.7 to 8.3, and the genotypes ICPH 2740, ICPH 3461, ICPH<br />
3762, ICPR 2671, ICPR 2740, and ICPL 3762 showed moderate levels of recovery resistance, and<br />
yield potential > 7.0 q ha -1 as compared to 7.7 q ha -1 of ICPL 87119. These genotypes also had lower<br />
numbers of eggs and larvae of H. armigera.<br />
HC Sharma, KB Saxena and RK Srivastava<br />
International pigeonpea Helicoverpa armigera resistance screening nursery<br />
Twenty-five genotypes, including the resistant and susceptible checks, were evaluated for resistance to<br />
pod borer, H. armigera under field conditions. There were three replications in a randomized complete<br />
block design. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, H. armigera damage, and recovery resistance,<br />
pod damage, egg and larval numbers per 5 inflorescences, and grain yield. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru,<br />
277
damage by H. armigera in the first flush was very high, and therefore, recovery resistance scores were<br />
recorded at maturity.<br />
The recovery resistance scores ranged from 4.7 to 9.0, and the genotypes ICP 10531, ICP 13198, ICP<br />
13212, ICPHaRL 4985-10, ICPHaRL 4989-7, ICPL 20062, ENT 11, and ICPL 332WR showed<br />
moderate levels of recovery resistance, and yield potential 5.5 – 5.9 q ha -1 as compared to 10.3 q ha -1 of<br />
ICPL 87119. These genotypes also had lower numbers of eggs and larvae of H. armigera.<br />
At ARS, Gulbarga, pod borer resistance scores ranged from 3.0 to 6.0 and pod damage from 26.49 –<br />
51.14%, and the genotypes ICP 10531, ICPHaRL 4979-2, ICPHaRL 49785-4, ICPHaRL 4985-10,<br />
ICPHaRL 4989-7, ICPL 85063,ICPL 20062, ICPL 97253, Maruti, and ICPL 332WR showed moderate<br />
levels of resistance, and yield potential >300 g per plant. Some of these genotypes also had lower<br />
numbers of eggs and larvae of H. armigera. At ARS, Tandur, pod damage ranged from 2.52 – 22.26%,<br />
and the genotypes ENT 11, ICPHaRL 4978-5, ICPHaRL 49785-1, ICPHaRL 4989-7, ICP 13918, ICPL<br />
909, ICPL 97253, LRG 41, and Nallakandi showed moderate levels of resistance, and yield potential<br />
>60 g per plant. Some of these genotypes also had lower numbers of eggs and larvae of H. armigera.<br />
HC Sharma and GP Gopali<br />
Evaluation of wilt-resistant lines for resistance to pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Rationale<br />
The pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the most damaging pests of pigeonpea. Therefore, there<br />
is a need to develop insect resistant cultivars to reduce the extent of losses due to this pest. Therefore,<br />
we evaluated the hybrid parents for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera during the 2009/10 postrainy<br />
season to identify high yielding lines with resistance/tolerance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Two sets of wilt-resistant lines (30 medium-duration and 32 long duration) were evaluated for<br />
resistance to H. armigera along with resistant, ICPL 332WR and susceptible, ICPL 871119 checks<br />
under field conditions. There were three replications in a randomized complete block design. Data were<br />
recorded on agronomic traits, recovery resistance score on a 1 to 9 damage rating scale (1 = 80% pods damaged and pods<br />
present only on a few branches), wilt incidence, and grain yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The genotypes ICPL 20094, ICPL 20097, ICPL 20099, ICPL 20110, and ICPL 20120 exhibited<br />
moderate level of recovery resistance (DR 6) and the yield potential comparable to the resistant (ICPL<br />
332WR) and/or commercial check, ICPL 87119. Among the long-duration lines, ICPL 20124, ICPL<br />
20127, ICPL 20136, ICPL 20137, ICPL 94068, ICPL 99044, ICP 6997, ICP 8087, ICP 10957, ICP<br />
11299, ICP 14280, ICP 14290, ICP 14469, and ICP 14514) exhibited moderate level of recovery<br />
resistance (DR 5 - 6) and the yield potential comparable to the resistant (ICPL 332 WR) and/or the<br />
commercial check, ICPL 87119.<br />
HC Sharma and S Pande<br />
Milestone: Mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa in diverse germplasm characterized 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
The levels of resistance to pod borer, H. armigera are low to moderate, and hence, it is important to<br />
identify lines with different mechanisms of resistance to this pest<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Twenty-five genotypes, including the resistant and susceptible checks, were evaluated for resistance to<br />
pod borer, H. armigera under field conditions. There were three replications in a randomized complete<br />
block design. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, H. armigera damage, and recovery resistance,<br />
pod damage, egg and larval numbers per 5 inflorescences, and grain yield. At <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru,<br />
damage by H. armigera in the first flush was very high, and therefore, recovery resistance scores were<br />
recorded at maturity.<br />
278
Results and Discussion<br />
The recovery resistance scores ranged from 4.7 to 9.0, and the genotypes ICP 10531, ICP 13198, ICP<br />
13212, ICPHaRL 4985-10, ICPHaRL 4989-7, ICPL 20062, ENT 11, and ICPL 332WR showed<br />
moderate levels of recovery resistance, and yield potential 5.5 – 5.9 q ha -1 as compared to 10.3 q ha -1 of<br />
ICPL 87119. These genotypes also had lower numbers of eggs and larvae of H. armigera.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Genotypes showing low oviposition and/or low larval numbers, and exhibiting low pod damage and<br />
good recovery resistance can be used for pigeonpea improvement.<br />
HC Sharma<br />
Activities 6.1.1.3 PP: Advanced generation interspecific derivatives with resistance to Helicoverpa<br />
and SMD using wild species from different gene pools developed<br />
Milestone: Physico-chemical mechanisms of resistance to Helicoverpa in wild relatives of pigeonpea<br />
identified for use in crop improvement 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
The levels of resistance to pod borer, H. armigera in the cultivated germplasm are low to moderate, and hence, it is important<br />
to identify wild relatives of pigeonpea with diverse mechanisms of resistance to this pest.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
We evaluated 29 accessions belonging to 13 species (Cajanus scarabaeoides, C. cajanifolius, C.<br />
sericeus , C. albicans, C. acutifolius, C. lineatus, C. platycarpus, Rhynchosia bracteata, R. aurea,<br />
Dunbaria ferruginea, Flemingia bracteata, F. stricta, Paracalyx scariosa) of wild relatives of<br />
pigeonpea for their proteinase inhibitory activities H. armigera, along with two genotypes of cultivated<br />
pigeonpea, Cajanus cajan (ICPL 87-susceptible check, and ICPL 332 – resistant check), under in vivo<br />
and in vitro inhibitions.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Accession belonging to Cajanus albicans, C. cajanifolius, C. sericeus, F. bracteata, and R. bracteata<br />
showed complete inhibition of HaGPs. Some of the C. scarabaeoides accessions (ICPW 116, 152, 278,<br />
280) exhibited partial inhibition at low concentrations of PIs. All accessions of wild relatives of<br />
pigeonpea showed high to moderate level of inhibition of at pH 7.8, except in ICPL 87 (42%).<br />
Cultivated pigeonpea exhibited monomorphism in terms of TI and CTI isoforms, contrary to the<br />
diverse inhibitory profiles of wild pigeonpeas. Cajanus albicans, C. platycarpus, C. scarabaeoides, and<br />
R. bracteata showed more number of TI and CTI bands. Some of the wild relatives exhubited both TI<br />
and CTI activities. Protease inhibitor isoforms of wild relatives of pigeonpea showed significant<br />
variation in number, band pattern, and protein specificities towards trypsin, chymotrypsin, and HaGPs<br />
as compared to the cultivated pigeonpea.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The PIs from the wild relatives showing potential as intibitors of HaGPs, could be considered as<br />
potential candidates for use in genetic transformation of crops for pest management, including H.<br />
armigera.<br />
HC Sharma and Vonod Prade<br />
Milestone: Ten interspecific derivatives from different Cajanus species belonging to different gene<br />
pools with resistance to Helicoverpa identified for use in pigeonpea improvement 2011<br />
Evaluation of interspecific derivatives of pigeonpea for resistance to Helicoverpa armigera<br />
Rationale<br />
The levels of resistance to the pod borer, H. armigera in the cultivated germplasm are low to moderate,<br />
and therefore, we evaluated the interspecific derivatives for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera to<br />
identify lines with high levels of resistance/tolerance to this pest.<br />
Material and Methods:<br />
Thirty-one bi-parental progenies of ICPW 94 x ICP 28 were evaluated for resistance to pod borer, H.<br />
armigera. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, recovery resistance as explained above, wilt<br />
incidence, and grain yield.<br />
279
Results and Discussion<br />
All the lines were very heavily damaged by M. vitrata and H. armigera, but the progeny nos. 4, 12, 13,<br />
28, and 29 showed moderate yield potential (6.1 – 8.3 q ha -1 compared to 11.9 q ha -1 of ICPL 332 WR).<br />
In another trial 27 selections of the interspecific derivatives from wild relatives of pigeonpea (Cajanus<br />
cajan, ICP 28 x Cajanus scarabaeoides, ICPW 94) along with ICPL 87119 and ICPL 332WR were<br />
evaluated for resistance to pod borer, H. armigera under field conditions. There were three replications<br />
in a RCBD. Data were recorded on agronomic traits, recovery resistance (as the first flush was<br />
completely damaged by Maruca vitrata and H. armigera), wilt, and grain yield. Recovery resistance<br />
scores ranged from 6.0 to 9.0, and the entry nos 5 and 10 showed moderate levels of recovery<br />
resistance, and a yield potential >11.5 q ha -1 . Another set of 10 interspecific derivatives along with<br />
resistant and susceptible checks were also evaluated for pod borer resistance in a replicated trial. The<br />
lines 19-12-17-10, 40-26-6-15-1, and 12-21-3-3-11 exhibited high yield potential and/or low pod borer<br />
damage under un-protected conditions.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The lines 19-12-17-10, 40-26-6-15-1, and 12-21-3-3-11 exhibiting high yield potential and/or low pod<br />
borer damage, will be tested further to confirm their reaction to pod borer.<br />
HC Sharma and HD Upadhyaya<br />
Milestone: New sources of SMD resistance generated through the utilization of wild Cajanus <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Wild relatives of pigeonpea have multiple disease resistance, which pigeonpea will benefit from.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Cajanus acutifolius belonging to secondary gene pool and C. platycarpus belonging to tertiary gene<br />
pool, were used in the crossing program to introgress multiple disease resistance and other traits of<br />
interest<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Advance generation stable derivatives derived from C. platycarpus after four backcrosses and selfing<br />
them a number of times, were screened for a range of insect pests and diseases. The results of the<br />
screening initiative are summarized in Table 6.4. 18 lines selected were resistant to pod borer, pod fly<br />
and bruchids under field conditions. These lines were screened for SMD and FW. Two lines showed<br />
resistance to both FW and SMD. Two lines showed resistance to FW but not to SMD. 13 lines<br />
showed resistance to SMD but not to FW. It can be concluded that it is possible to transfer multiple<br />
pest and disease resistance from C. platycarpus. The lines were screened using DArT markers for the<br />
presence of C. platycarpus genome after four backcrosses and allowing the genomes to recombine after<br />
selfing them a number of times. The results of the study showed the presence of C. platycarpus<br />
genome ranging from 2.0 to 4.8 %. The presence of non-parental alleles presumably due to<br />
recombination ranged from 2.6 to 10.4 %.<br />
Table 6.4: Interspecific derivatives derived from C. platycarpus (tertiary gene pool species) with<br />
multiple disease and pest resistance (including H. armigera).<br />
Line<br />
no. (%) damage (%) damage (%) damage<br />
(%)<br />
damage<br />
(%) damage<br />
Pod damage<br />
Helicoverpa Pod fly Bruchid SMD* FW* Resistant to<br />
1 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 60 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
2 0.50 0.00 0.00 12 12 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
3 0.00 0.00 0.00 31 8 HA, PF, Br, FW<br />
4 0.00 0.73 0.00 30 10 HA, PF, Br, FW<br />
5 0.40 0.00 0.00 0 27 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
6 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 25 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
7 0.00 0.00 0.00 5 16 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
8 0.00 0.00 0.00 7 27 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
9 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 25 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
10 0.00 0.00 0.00 13 60 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
280
11 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 33 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
12 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 73 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
13 0.00 0.00 0.00 6 29 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
14 2.10 0.00 0.00 28 39 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
15 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 18 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
16 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 81 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
17 1.00 0.00 0.00 0 42 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
18 1.00 0.00 0.00 0 7 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
HA: H. armigera; PF: pod fly; Br: bruchids; SMD: sterility mosaic disease; FW: fusarium wilt<br />
• Percent damage less than 15% were catagorised as resistant<br />
Twenty three advance generation stable derivatives derived from C. acutifolius with multiple insect<br />
resistance including H. armigera, were screened for SMD (Patancheru isolate) and FW (Patancheru<br />
isolate) under field conditions. Amongst these 15 lines were found to be resistant to both SMD and<br />
FW. Four lines were resistant to SMD only and only four lines did not have disease resistance (Table<br />
6.5). This shows that C. acutifolius from the secondary gene pool can be successfully utilized to<br />
introgress multiple disease and pest resistance.<br />
Table 6.5: Interspecific derivatives derived from C. acutifolius (secondary gene pool species) with<br />
multiple disease and pest resistance (including H. armigera)<br />
Line<br />
no<br />
% damage<br />
Helicoverpa<br />
% damage<br />
Pod fly<br />
% damage<br />
Bruchid<br />
% damage<br />
SMD*<br />
% damage<br />
FW*<br />
Resistant to<br />
1 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
2 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 24 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
3 0.50 0.00 0.00 0 11 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
4 0.50 0.00 0.00 0 89 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
5 1.43 1.43 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
6 0.00 0.67 0.33 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
7 0.00 1.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
8 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
9 0.50 0.00 0.00 25 25 HA, PF, Br<br />
10 1.20 0.00 0.60 60 17 HA, PF, Br<br />
11 0.40 0.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
12 0.57 0.00 0.00 0 17 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
13 0.00 2.58 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
14 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 10 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
15 1.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
16 1.00 0.00 0.00 33 67 HA, PF, Br<br />
17 2.17 0.00 0.00 60 66 HA, PF, Br<br />
18 0.00 0.76 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
19 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
20 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 20 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
21 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 67 HA, PF, Br, SMD<br />
22 0.00 22.20 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
23 0.00 0.00 0.00 0 0 HA, PF, Br, SMD, FW<br />
Conclusions<br />
C. acutifolius from secondary gene pool of pigeonpea and C. platycarpus, from tertiary gene pool, can<br />
be successfully utilized to introgress multiple pest and disease resistance.<br />
Nalini Mallikarjuna, KB Saxena, S Senthilvel, HC Sharma and S Pande<br />
Milestones: 15 new sources of resistance to wilt and sterility mosaic virus identified and made<br />
available to partners<br />
Rationale<br />
To identify resistance sources of pigeonpea lines to FW and SMD.<br />
281
Materials and Methods<br />
Seventy (32 further advanced and 38 advanced breeding lines from breeders material 2007-08), 35 (27<br />
promising lines from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-2008 and eight promising lines from AICRP-Pigeonpea) lines, 48 lines<br />
from Warangal and 136 (including susceptible checks) from All India Coordinated Research Project<br />
(AICRP)- Pigeonpea were evaluated for resistance to FW and SMD under artificial epiphytotic<br />
conditions in pigeonpea wilt and sterility mosaic disease sick plot.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Of the 32 further advanced selections, 26 lines showed combined resistance (>10% incidence) to FW<br />
and SMD. However, 26 lines showed resistant reaction (
Newer constructs with swapped domains are being designed for enhanced expression of the transgenes.<br />
For effective insect resistance, a second generation construct with two different cry genes (cry1Ac and<br />
cry2Aa) is being constructed. Efforts are also being made to add a 300 bp fragment from the native Bt<br />
gene to the synthetic cry1Ac gene for the stable expression. Work is underway to standardize the Q-<br />
PCR for the early screening of the transgenic events for the copy number and zygosity.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Based on the insect bioassays conducted with transgenic pigeonpea events in T1 and T2 generations, 11<br />
transgenic events of pigeonpea have been selected for strip trials under confined field conditions.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur, HC Sharma<br />
Output Target 6.1.3 PP: Twenty medium-long duration vegetable type pigeonpea<br />
germplasm/breeding lines made available<br />
Activity 6.1.3.1 PP: Evaluation and selection of large podded medium – long duration germplasm<br />
and breeding lines for use as vegetable<br />
Milestone: Genetically diverse large seeded vegetable type 10-15 breeding populations for further<br />
selection developed 2011<br />
No report during <strong>2010</strong><br />
Sorghum<br />
Output target 6.1.1 SO: High yielding grain, forage, and sweet sorghum lines with resistance to<br />
insect pests and diseases developed<br />
Activity 6.1.1.1 SO: Selecting high biomass forage and sweet sorghum lines with resistance to shoot<br />
pests and foliar diseases, and grain sorghum with tolerance to grain mold<br />
Milestone: Sweet sorghum lines (5) with high grain yield and shoot fly resistance developed for<br />
postrainy season adaptation <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
It is important to have resistance to shoot fly in sweet sorghum genotypes to enable periodic plantings<br />
in the post rainy season to extend the feedstock supplies to the distilleries.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A total of 48 sweet sorghum advanced varieties and restorers were evaluated during in 2009 post rainy<br />
season in RCBD with IS18551 as a resistant check and Swarna as a susceptible check. 2. A total of 27<br />
sweet sorghum multi-location trial genotypes were evaluated during in 2009 post rainy season in<br />
RCBD with IS 18551 as a resistant check and Swarna as a susceptible check.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
In sweet sorghum advanced varieties and restorers trail, dead heart incidence in this trial varied from<br />
17.3 to 97.9 %, Nine out of forty eight advanced verities/restorers shown 17-37 % less shoot fly dead<br />
hearts incidence compared to the susceptible check, Swarna (75.5%). 2. In the multilocation entries<br />
trail (MLT), dead heart incidence varied from 23.3 to 95.2%. Four out of twenty seven multi-location<br />
genotypes i.e., RSSV 167 (23.3 %), RSSV 138 (27.2 %), ICSB 479 %), SP 4511-3 (40.42 %) shown<br />
23-50% less dead heart incidence compared to the susceptible check, Swarna (80.7 %).<br />
Conclusions<br />
The selected entries from both the trails will be further evaluated for confirmation of resistance to shoot<br />
fly and also for other agronomic traits.<br />
P Srinivasa Rao, BVS Reddy and HC Sharma<br />
283
Milestone: Ten sweet-sorghum lines with high biomass and resistance to shoot pests and foliar<br />
diseases developed 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
It is important to have resistance to shoot fly in sweet sorghum genotypes to enable periodic plantings<br />
in the rainy season to extend the feedstock supplies to the distilleries. Resistance to foliar diseases like<br />
anthracnose and leaf blight are important for photosynthates accumulation there by for the ultimate<br />
sugars in the stalks.<br />
Series of trails were conducted for resistance to shoot fly and stem borer as advanced varieties/restorer<br />
trials and multilocation trials during the <strong>2010</strong> rainy season in RCBD with 3 replications using IS 18551<br />
as check for shoot fly resistance screening and IS 2205 for stem borer resistance screening and using<br />
Swarna as susceptible check both for shoot fly and stem borer. Similarly one trial each (RCBD with 3<br />
replications) was conducted for screening the sweet sorghum genotypes for anthracnose resistance and<br />
leaf blight resistance during in rainy season, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Anthracnose disease severity was recorded on a 1−9 scale (1=0 to
Activity 6.1.1.2 SO: Developing QTL mapping populations for economic yield components of<br />
sweet sorghum productivity<br />
Milestone: Four F6 sorghum RIL mapping populations (>350 lines each) available for marker<br />
genotyping and multilocational phenotyping for biomass yield, sugar content, and sugar extraction<br />
characteristics 2009<br />
<strong>Report</strong> yet to be received from CTH<br />
Milestone 6A 1.1.2 SO: Ten high yielding grain mold tolerant sorghum lines developed for rainy<br />
season adaptation 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Grain mold is a major biotic constraint of rainy season sorghum affecting the yield and grain quality. It<br />
is a complex disease with more than 30 fungal spp involved in causing the disease. Use of resistant<br />
cultivars along with other methods of control was found effective for managing grain mold in sorghum.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Grain mold resistance donors in red and white grain backgrounds and identified in the germplasm<br />
accessions were used in the crossing programs. The selected advanced progenies with restorer reaction<br />
were evaluated in replicated trials for their grain mold resistance and agronomic desirability.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
1. Evaluating 43 advanced R-line progenies in RCBD (3 reps) for grain mold resistance in screening<br />
block and for grain yield assessment in breeding block.<br />
Evaluated 24 advanced R-line progenies in RCBD (3 reps) along with four controls (RS 29, CSV 4,<br />
SPV 104, IS 14384) as GMRLT in RCBD (3 reps) for grain mold resistance in screening block and for<br />
grain yield assessment in breeding block in rainy season. The control high grain yielding B- line – RS<br />
29 and CSV 4 respectively showed 2.7 and 1.8 t ha -1 (Trial mean: 2.23; SE+: 0.15) for grain yield in<br />
breeding block and panicle grain mold rating (PGMR) score 2.8 and 3.8 (Trial mean: 3.98; SE+: 0.27)<br />
taken on scale 1 to 9 where 1 = 0 to 75% mold in screening block evaluated under<br />
sprinkler irrigation. Five R-line progenies (SPs 44509-1, 43663-1, 44661-1, 44509-2, and 44511-1)<br />
showed significantly superior grain yield (by 23 to 52%) over CSV 4 ranging from 2.3 to 2.9 t ha -1 with<br />
PGMR score 3.2 to 3.6.<br />
2. Development of F 1 s using new sources (10) for grain mold resistance from germplasm and high<br />
yielding B-lines.<br />
Diverse parents (69) were selected and planted in postrainy season to make new F 1 crosses to develop<br />
grain mold resistant B-lines.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Five R-line progenies (SPs 44509-1, 43663-1, 44661-1, 44509-2, and 44511-1) with significantly<br />
superior grain yield (by 23 to 52%) over CSV 4 ranging from 2.3 to 2.9 t ha -1 with PGMR score 3.2 to<br />
3.6 identified.<br />
A Ashok Kumar, Belum VS Reddy and Rajan Sharma<br />
Activity 6.1.1.3 SO: Developing high yielding sorghum lines with grain mold resistance for rainy<br />
season, and hoot fly resistance for postrainy season<br />
Milestone: Genetically diverse sorghum breeding lines (10) for high yield and large grain size with<br />
resistance to grain mold made available to partners <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Grain mold is a major biotic constraint of rainy season sorghum affecting the yield and grain quality.<br />
Use of resistant cultivars along with other methods of control was found effective for managing grain<br />
mold.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Resistant donors in red and white grain backgrounds identified in the germplasm accessions were used<br />
in the crossing programs. The selected 24 advanced R-line progenies were evaluated in RCBD (3 reps)<br />
285
along with four controls (RS 29, CSV 4, SPV 104, IS 14384) as GMRLT in RCBD (3 reps) for grain<br />
mold resistance in screening block and for grain yield assessment in breeding block in rainy season. .<br />
The data on panicle grain mold rating (PGMR) was collected on 1 to 9 scale where 1 =0 to 75% mold in screening block evaluated under sprinkler irrigation.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The control (high grain yielding) R-line – RS 29 and CSV 4 respectively showed 2.7 and 1.8 t ha -1<br />
(Trial mean: 2.23; SE+: 0.15) for grain yield in breeding block and panicle grain mold rating (PGMR)<br />
score 2.8 and 3.8 (Trial mean: 3.98; SE+: 0.27) taken on. Five R-line progenies (SPs 44509-1, 43663-1,<br />
44661-1, 44509-2, and 44511-1) showed significantly superior grain yield (by 23 to 52%) over CSV 4<br />
ranging from 2.3 to 2.9 t ha -1 with PGMR score 3.2 to 3.6.<br />
Conclusions Five R-line progenies showed significantly superior grain yield (by 23 to 52%) ranging<br />
from 2.3 to 2.9 t ha -1 over control CSV 4 and showed low PGMR score 3.2 to 3.6 indicating their<br />
resistance to grain mold.<br />
A Ashok Kumar, Belum VS Reddy, RP Thakur and Rajan Sharma<br />
Milestone 6.1.1.3: Sorghum lines (5) with large grain and high grain yield and less susceptible to<br />
shoot fly with postrainy season adaptation developed <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Sorghum is cultivated in post rainy season over 4.5 M ha in India. The grain fetches premium price and<br />
all most all the harvest is consumed as food. The stalks as fodder are also in great demand as it is of<br />
good quality. Tolerance to drought during terminal growth stage and cold tolerance during vegetative<br />
and grain development growth stages and photo period sensitivity are important. Also, apart from these<br />
adaptation features, if the grain is bold and lustrous fetches higher price. In early stages, tolerance to<br />
shoot fly is also important.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
There are different types of materials under evaluation and selection for the above traits. These are:<br />
Varieties: (1) A total of 57 varieties and two shoot fly susceptible checks (296B, Swarna) were<br />
evaluated in RPVT-1 during 2009 postrainy season for shoot fly resistance. (2) A total of 34 postrainy<br />
elite varieties/R-lines were screened in RPVT 2 for shoot fly resistance in a three-replicated RCBD at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> during 2009 postrainy season along with two checks (IS 18551, a shoot fly resistant check;<br />
Swarna, a shoot fly susceptible check).<br />
Hybrids: During 2009 postrainy season, 28 postrainy hybrids along with two checks (IS 18551: shoot<br />
fly resistant check, Swarna: Shoot fly susceptible check) were screened for shoot fly resistance in a<br />
three-replicated RCBD at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Varieties: (1) Twelve varieties with shoot fly dead hearts ranging from 9 to 20% were numerically<br />
superior for shoot fly resistance compared to the resistant check IS 18551 (SFDH: 21%). (2) Seventeen<br />
varieties from RPVT 2 with SFDH% ranging from 6 to 22% were comparable to the resistant check, IS<br />
18551 (SFDH%: 7.3, lsd: 15.49) (HOPE Project Activity 2.3.11 A). All selected lines have bold grain,<br />
similar to M 35-1.<br />
Hybrids: The hybrids, ICSA 88001 × M 35-1-19 (SFDH: 16%), ICSA 52 x SPV 1411 (SFDH: 24%)<br />
and ICSA 84 × SPV 1411 (SFDH: 30%) were comparable to the check IS 18551 (SFDH: 8%) though<br />
not numerically superior to it and significantly superior to the susceptible check, Swarna (SFDH: 82%)<br />
(HOPE Project Activity 2.4.7).<br />
Conclusions<br />
The selected entries from RPVT-1 and RPVT-2 are being screened in AVT for shoot fly resistance<br />
during <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season. A total of 324 preliminary hybrids produced at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and at MPKV,<br />
Rahuri are being evaluated along with checks in two trials (PHT-1 and PHT-2) at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> for grain<br />
yield, agronomic traits and for shoot fly resistance in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season<br />
Belum VS Reddy, A Ashok Kumar and HC Sharma.<br />
286
Milestone 6.1.1.3.1: Sorghum lines (5) with large grain and high grain yield and less susceptible to<br />
aphids with postrainy season adaptation developed <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
In the recent years, during the dry seasons, rainy and post rainy seasons, aphids incidence and severity<br />
of the pest damage appears to be high. Hence it is important to identify lines with resistance to aphids<br />
in high yielding back ground.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Thirty one sorghum lines comprising of improved breeding lines and germplasm accessions were<br />
multiplied and screened for resistance to sugarcane aphid, M. sacchari during the 2009 postrainy<br />
season (score on 1 to 9 where 1 = no aphids damage and 9 = >90% leaf area damaged). The aphid<br />
damage scores ranged from 1.67 to 5.33,<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
1. Plot No’s. 61510 (ICSP-B-98R Sel-17-2-5-1-1-1), 61523 ((ICSB 508 x ICSB 79)-2-2-1-1-1-2-1-1-2), 61582 ([(((Indian<br />
Synthetic 89-1 x Rs/R 20-682)-5-1-3) x IS 18757) x (((BT~623 x UChV 2) x B lines bulk)-3-1-4-3)]-8-<br />
4-1-1-1-2), 61592 ([((Indian Synthetic 89-2 x Rs/R 20-682)-5-4-2) x PS 30715-1]-1-4-1), IS 40615<br />
(WM 322), and IS 40616 (F6YQ 336), exhibited a leaf damage rating of
Activity 6A.1.3: Selecting for high grain yield and large grain sorghum lines with resistance to<br />
shoot fly and adaptation to post-rainy season<br />
Milestone 6A 1.3.1: Sorghum lines (5) with large grain and high grain yield and less susceptible to<br />
shoot fly with postrainy season adaptation developed <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Postrainy season sorghum is grown on 4.5 m ha in India. Shoot fly is a major biotic constraint affecting<br />
the crop particularly in the early stages of crop growth. Use of resistant cultivars along with other<br />
methods of control was found effective for managing shoot fly in sorghum.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Shoot fly resistance donors identified in the R-lines were crossed with the high yielding R-lines. The<br />
selected advanced progenies were evaluated for shoot fly resistance and agronomic desirability and<br />
were test crossed.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
1. Evaluation of restores in various stages-from new crosses and existing advanced progenies (250) in<br />
replicated trials for agronomic traits, grain traits, seed setting and charcoal rot tolerance and shoot<br />
fly resistance and their seed multiplication.<br />
From RxR crosses, 323 F 5 progenies were evaluated during 2009 postrainy season and based on bold<br />
and lustrous grain apart from grain yield, 414 F 6 progenies were selected and these were<br />
simultaneously testcrossed.<br />
2. Developments of 50 F 1 s using new sources (10) for shoot fly resistance from germplasm and high<br />
yielding B-lines in the postrainy season.<br />
Diverse parents (51) were selected and planted in postrainy season to make new F 1 crosses to develop<br />
shoot fly resistant B-lines.<br />
Conclusions<br />
A total of 414 F 6 progenies were selected (from RxR crosses) based on agronomic desirability and low<br />
shoot fly dead hearts and were test crossed to confirm their restorer reaction.<br />
A Ashok Kumar, Belum VS Reddy and HC Sharma<br />
Activity 6A.1.4: Selecting for high grain yield and grain mold tolerant sorghum lines<br />
Milestone: 6A.1.4.1: Genetically diverse sorghum breeding lines (10) for high yield and large grain<br />
size with resistance grain mold made available to partners. 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Grain mold is a major biotic constraint of rainy season sorghum affecting the yield and grain quality.<br />
Use of resistant cultivars along with other methods of control was found effective for managing grain<br />
mold in sorghum.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Grain mold resistance donors in red and white grain backgrounds identified in the germplasm<br />
accessions were used in the crossing programs. The selected advanced progenies with restorer reaction<br />
were seed multiplied for evaluating them in replicated trials for grain mold and shoot fly resistance and<br />
agronomic desirability.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Screening of the 30 progenies from overall GM and other breeding programs with R- reaction in<br />
screening block in RCBD (3 reps) for developing varieties with resistance to grain mold: Fifty-one R-<br />
line progenies developed in GM/H + programs were seed multiplied for evaluation in a triplicate trial.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Fifty-one R-line progenies developed in GM/H + programs were seed multiplied for evaluating them in<br />
replicated trials for grain mold and shoot fly resistance and agronomic desirability.<br />
A Ashok Kumar, Belum VS Reddy and Rajan Sharma<br />
288
Output C: Annually knowledge of the improvements of the biotechnological and conventional<br />
tools designed to facilitate biofortification and bio-detoxification, breeding improved germplasm<br />
and management strategies (against mycotoxin contamination) of mandate crops and associated<br />
capacity building made available to partners internationally<br />
Output target 6C.1: High yielding and micronutrient dense hybrids/improved<br />
populations/varieties of sorghum and promising transgenic events of groundnut and pigeon pea<br />
with high beta-carotene content available for testing in national trials<br />
Activity 6C.1.3: Selecting sorghum lines for high grain Fe and Zn contents<br />
Milestone 6C 1.3.1: Three varieties with high grain Fe (>40ppm) and Zn (>30 ppm) contents identified<br />
2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Micronutrient malnutrition (especially of Fe and Zn) is a major health problem in the developing<br />
countries. Biofortification is a cost effective and sustainable solution to combat micronutrient<br />
malnutrition. It complements well with the supplementation and chemical fortification methods<br />
currently being employed to address micronutrient malnutrition. Identification of high grain high Fe<br />
and Zn lines from the established R-lines helps in quick development of varieties and hybrids.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A total of 52 established sorghum R-lines were evaluated in triplicate trials over two years for<br />
assessing the grain Fe/Zn contents.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Identification of promising varieties by assessing grain Fe and Zn contents in 50 <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred R-<br />
lines: The mean performance of the 52 <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred sorghum R-lines for two years (2008 and 2009<br />
postrainy seasons) showed that for grain Fe the lines ranged from 25 to 39 ppm with an average of 31<br />
ppm (SE+: 2.23) and grain Zn content from 16 to 28 ppm with an average of 21 ppm (SE+: 1.26). The<br />
controls – PVK 801 and RS 29 respectively had 33 and 27 ppm grain Fe and 21 and 16 ppm grain Zn.<br />
Two R-lines ICSR 113 and ICSR 89035 were significantly superior (by 7% and 9%) to the control -<br />
PVK 801 for grain Fe contents with grain Fe 38 and 39 ppm and significantly superior (by 25% and<br />
16%) for grain Zn contents with grain Zn 28 and 26 ppm. Thirty R-lines were significantly 5 to 33%<br />
superior to the control - RS 29 for grain Fe contents with grain Fe ranging from 30 to 39 ppm and<br />
significantly superior (by 6 and 62%) for grain Zn contents ranging from 18 to 28 ppm. Among the R-<br />
lines ICSR 89035 (Fe 39 ppm and Zn 26 ppm), ICSR 113 (Fe 38 ppm and Zn 28 ppm) and ICSR<br />
89039 (Fe 36 ppm and Zn 23 ppm) showed significantly higher Fe (by 2 to 10%) and Zn (by 2 to 25%)<br />
contents compared to the check PVK 801 (Fe 33 ppm and Zn 21 ppm).<br />
Advancing 85 BC 3 s from the crosses between grain micronutrients (Fe and Zn)-dense germplasm lines<br />
and high yielding breeding lines for R-line/variety development: Advancing the 84 BC 3 s obtained from<br />
the crosses between grain micronutrients (Fe and Zn)-dense germplasm lines and high yielding<br />
breeding lines for R-line/variety development in 2009 postrainy season resulted in the selection of 87<br />
BC 3 s. These were further evaluated for B and R reaction in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season and identified 21<br />
progenies with R-line reaction and are in seed multiplication in <strong>2010</strong> postrainy season for further<br />
evaluation.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Thirty R-lines significantly 5 to 33% superior to the control - RS 29 for grain Fe contents and<br />
significantly superior for grain Zn contents (by 6 and 62%) identified.<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Output targets 6C.5: Effective and eco-friendly IPM technologies designed, evaluated, and<br />
shared for the management of insect pests<br />
Milestone: Compatibility of transgenic crops and insecticides for pest management and their impact on<br />
species diversity assessed 2012<br />
289
Spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus and shoot fly, Atherigona soccata management in sweet<br />
sorghums<br />
Rationale<br />
Sorghum shoot fly, Ahterigona soccata and spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus are important pests of<br />
sorghum, and host plant resistance is one of the important components for the management of these<br />
pests under subsistence farming conditions. Therefore, we evaluated sorghum cultivars with different<br />
levels of resistance to these pests along with insecticides with systemic and contact mode of action for<br />
the management of these pests during the rainy and postrainy seasons.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
One hybrid (ICSA 479 x SSV 84), and three varieties (ICSV 700, ICSV 93046, and SP 4511-1), along<br />
with one shoot fly/stem borer susceptible, but midge-resistant high yielding variety (ICSV 745) were<br />
tested under insecticide treated and untreated conditions. The insecticide treatments included seed<br />
treatment with imidachloprid (4.8 g ai kg -1 seed), Thiamethoxam (3.5 g ai kg -1 seed), fipronil (0.3 g ai<br />
kg -1 seed) granular application of carbofuran granules in the plant whorl (5 to 7 granules per plant at 7<br />
days after seedling emergence for shoot fly, and 3 days after artificial infestation with neonate larvae of<br />
stem borer), and foliar sprays of deltamethrin (12 g ai ha -1 ), methomyl (500 g ai ha 1 ), and endosulfan<br />
(700 g ai ha -1 ). Untreated plots served as a control.<br />
Results:<br />
Carbofuran granules applied in plant whorls were effective in controlling shoot fly, A. soccata damage<br />
on ICSV 700 (12.16% deadhearts) and ICSV 93046 (27.99% deadhearts), and moderately effective on<br />
CSH 22SS, and ICSV 745 (34.14 to 40.43% deadhearts). Under moderate shoot fly infestation during<br />
the 2009/10 postrainy season, seed treatments with thiamethoxam, imidachloprid, fipronil, and sprays<br />
of methomyl, deltamethrin, and endosulfan were as effective as carbofuran granular application in the<br />
plant whorls for shoot fly control on the shoot fly-resistant genotypes ICSV 700 ICSV 93046 and SP<br />
4511-2, but not on the susceptible cultivar, SSV 84.<br />
Granular application of carbofuran granules in the plant whorls three days after artificial infestation,<br />
and foliar sprays of deltamethrin, endosulfan, and methomyl (0.0 to 3.87%, 0.0 to 5.01%, 0.00 to<br />
1.91%, and 0.00% plants with deadhearts, respectively, compared to 3.78 to 9.17% plants with<br />
deadhearts in the untreated control, except in SSV 84, which had 55.29% plants with deadhearts) were<br />
highly effective for controlling the damage by the spotted stem borer, Chilo partellus. Seed treatment<br />
with imidachloprid, thiamethoxam, and fipronil were effective for stem borer control in combination<br />
with ICSV 700, ICSV 93046, and SP 4511-2 having inherent resistance to stem borer. Stalk yield was<br />
>450 q ha -1 in plots of CSH 22SS and ICSV 700 treated with imidachloprid, SSV 84 treated with<br />
carbofuran granules, ICSV 700 treated with deltamethrin sprays, ICSV 93046 plots sprayed with<br />
methomyl, and CSH 22SS and ICSV 93046 sprayed with endosulfan. In untreated control plots,<br />
deadheart incidence was lower in CSH 22SS (7.81%), ICSV 700 (3.78%), ICSV 93046 (4.73%) and SP<br />
4511-2 (9.17%) as compared to 55.29% deadhearts in SSV 84.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Carbofuran granules applied in plant whorls, and sprays of methomyl and deltamethrin, in combination<br />
with cultivars with moderate levels of resistance to shoot fly and stem borer 9ICSV 700 and ICSV<br />
93046), were effective for pest management in sweet sorghums.<br />
HC Sharma<br />
Assessment of the effect of Helicoverpa-resistant cultivars on ETLs<br />
Rationale<br />
Pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the important pests of pigeonpea, and host plant resistance<br />
is an important component for the management of this pest under subsistence farming conditions.<br />
Therefore, we evaluated insecticides with systemic and contact mode of action for the management of<br />
this pest on pigeonpea cultivars ICPL 332WR resistant, and ICP 8863 – susceptible for managing the<br />
pod borer, H. armigera.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Economic thresholds were determined for the resistant (ICPL 332WR) and susceptible (ICP 8863)<br />
varieties of pigeonpea to quantify the contribution of host plant resistance in Helicoverpa management.<br />
290
The plots were sprayed at the 10% flowering, 75% flowering, 50% podding, and dough stages in<br />
different combinations. There were three replications in a randomized complete block design for each<br />
variety. Each plot consisted of 4 rows, 2 m long. The outer two rows were considered as guard rows.<br />
Untreated plots served as a control.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
In the plots treated with methomyl + quinalphos + fubendiamide + dimethoate, pod damage by H.<br />
armigera was 4.02 and 3.50% in ICP 8863 compared to 11.21 and 11.13% in ICPL 332WR; while in<br />
the plots treated with Bt + methomyl + spinosad and DDVP + dimethoate, the pod damage was 5.70<br />
and 7.38% in ICP 8863 and 2.10 and 9.70% in ICPL 332WR in tagged branches and randomly selected<br />
plants, respectively. However, grain yield was 24.65 versus 28.91, and 22.11 versus 28.04 q ha -1 , in the<br />
above two treatment schedules, respectively in ICP 8863 and ICPL 332WR. Plots sprayed with NSKE<br />
+ HaNPV + Bt + novaluron suffered heavy damage by the pod borer (16.75 – 41.70% pod damage) and<br />
other insects, and the yields were quite low. The results did provide an indication of the usefulness of<br />
combining resistant varieties with insecticides for management of H. armigera.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Sprays of methomyl + quinalphos + fubendiamide + dimethoate applied on the pod borer resistant<br />
cultivar, ICPL 332WR were effective for pod borer control.<br />
HC Sharma<br />
On-farm evaluation of pigeonpea cultivars with resistance to pod borer on farmers’ fields<br />
Rationale<br />
Pod borer, Helicoverpa armigera is one of the important pests of chickpea and pigeonpea, and host<br />
plant resistance is an important component for the management of this pest. Several lines with low to<br />
moderate levels of resistance to this pest have been developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, which can be exploited for<br />
the management of this pest. Therefore, we evaluated the identified lines on farmers fields for their<br />
performance and adaptation to the major pigeonpea and chickpea growing areas in Andhra Pradesh and<br />
Karnataka.<br />
Material and Methods<br />
Seeds of two pigeonpea cultivars (ICPL 332WR - moderately resistant to H. armigera and ICPL 87119<br />
(Asha) -with some degree of recovery resistance were multiplied on a large scale for testing in on-farm<br />
trials. Seeds of four chickpea varieties ICCV 10 (moderately resistant to Helicoverpa), KAK 2 (high<br />
yielding kabuli variety) and ICCC 37 (Kranthi) and JG 11 (high yielding commercial cultivars) were<br />
produced in large amounts for distribution to farmers.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
In Ranga Reddy district, Andhra Pradesh, The H. armigera resistant variety ICPL 332WR yielded 500<br />
to 1875 kg ha -1 compared to 550 to 1870 kg ha -1 of Asha – the commercial variety. Grain yield of the<br />
improved Helicoverpa - tolerant varieties ICPHaRL 4985-4, ICPHaRL 4978-4, ICPHaRL 4987-7, PPE<br />
45-2, and ICPL 332WR was 600 – 1250, 650 – 1000, 750 – 1200, 850 – 1350, and 800 – 1400 kg ha -1 ,<br />
respectively.<br />
In Gulbarga district, Karnataka, pod damage in ICPL 332WR was 15.1% compared to 21.0% in Asha;<br />
while grain yield was 10.2 q ha -1 in ICPL 332WR as compared to 13.4 q ha -1 in Asha. Most of the<br />
farmers reported a better control and lower insecticide use in ICPL 332WR than on Asha. Improved<br />
pigeonpea varieties ICPHaRL 4987-7 and PPE 45-2 suffered less pod damage than Asha. The grain<br />
yield of the improved Helicoverpa - tolerant varieties was lower than Asha, but the differences were<br />
non-significant.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The pod borer resistant/tolerant varieties exhibited grain yield potential comparable to the commercial<br />
cultivars, and provided better control of the pod borer in combination with insecticides.<br />
HC Sharma<br />
291
Output 6.2. Annually knowledge of the improvements of the biotechnological and conventional<br />
tools designed to facilitate drought, heat and salinity tolerance breeding and germplasm of<br />
mandate crops and associated capacity building made available to partners internationally.<br />
Groundnut<br />
Output target 6.2.1 GN: Groundnut varieties with tolerance to drought and salinity developed<br />
using conventional and biotechnological approaches<br />
Activity 6.2.1.1 GN: Identify high yielding groundnut varieties tolerant to drought<br />
Milestone: 6-8 dual purpose groundnut varieties with high biomass and improved haulm digestibility<br />
identified and promoted for drought prone areas in Asia 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
Dual purpose groundnut-varieties support the crop-livestock productions systems of SAT regions.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
One hundred and fifty two groundnut haulm samples each from Kadiri, Junagadh, Shirgaon<br />
(Ratnagiri), Maharashtra, and samples of IVT-II trial from Jalgaon center (Maharashtra), were received<br />
and handed over to ILRI for fodder quality analysis. The results of fodder quality analysis are awaited<br />
from ILRI.<br />
Conclusions<br />
A dual purpose variety ICGV 91114 was released in Karnataka for cultivation in drought-prone areas<br />
of the state.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Milestone: 8 – 10 new advanced lines with resistance to drought tested in South Asian countries 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
Drought is the predominant production limiting constraint of groundnut in SAT, hence breeding for<br />
drought tolerance can alleviate the burden to a large extent.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
During 2009/10 postrainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons, 25 new crosses were made to generate populations<br />
for selection for resistance for drought along with high pod yield in agronomically desirable<br />
backgrounds. ICR 37, ICG 1236, ICGV 07165, ICGV 07173, ICGV 07193, ICGV 07286, ICGV<br />
08141, ICGV 07210, and ICGV 06142, ICR 3, ICR 48 , ICGV 07398, ICGV 08189, ICGV 07395,<br />
ICGV 07193, ICGV 07408, and ICGV 08268 were the drought and A. flavus tolerant breeding lines<br />
used in hybridization program.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Breeding populations: During the 2009/10 postrainy season, 217 bulks and 168 single plants were<br />
selected from 276 F 2 -F11 bulks and 86 plant progenies evaluated under imposed mid-season stress<br />
condition. Of these, 93 in advanced generations were included in replicated yield trials. During the<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 192 bulks and 205 single plants were selected from 124 F 2 - F 13 bulks and 169 plant<br />
progenies that were evaluated under rain-fed conditions.<br />
Yield Trials:<br />
2009 rainy season:<br />
During the 2009 rainy season 127 advanced breeding lines were evaluated for yield and other<br />
agronomic traits in six replicated trials. Elite and Advanced trial were grown under Irrigated and rainfed<br />
conditions.<br />
In an Elite Trial (Virginia) grown under irrigation conditions, ICGV 07404 (4.8±0.29 t ha -1 pod yield,<br />
67% shelling outturn, 36 g HSW, 53% oil content and 21% protein content) significantly outyielded the<br />
highest yielding drought resistance control ICGV 87846 (3.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 65% shelling outturn, 42<br />
g HSW, 52% oil content and 21% protein content).<br />
292
In an Elite Trial (Spanish) grown under rain-fed conditions, four lines (4.0-3.6±0.22 t ha -1 pod yield)<br />
gave significantly higher pod yield than the highest yielding drought resistance control ICGV 02266<br />
(2.9 t ha -1 pod yield, 64% shelling outturn, 38 g HSW). The best entry in the trial was ICGV 07395.<br />
In an Advanced Trial (Virginia) grown under rainfed conditions, three lines (3.9-3.8±0.19 t ha -1 pod<br />
yield) gave significantly higher pod yield than the highest yielding drought resistance control ICGV<br />
87846, and the best entry was ICGV 08200.<br />
2009/10 postrainy season:<br />
Same set of 127 lines in six replicated trials were evaluated under full irrigation conditions. Elite and<br />
Advanced trial were sown under imposed stress conditions to compare the performance under both<br />
situations irrigated and imposed stress conditions.<br />
In an Elite Trial (Virginia) grown under stress conditions, two test lines (2.8-2.7±0.18 t ha -1 pod yield)<br />
gave significantly higher pod yield than the highest yielding control ICGV 86325. The best entry in<br />
the trial was ICGV 07405 (2.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 69% shelling outturn, 52 g HSW). The same variety<br />
ICGV 07405 (4.5 t ha -1 pod yield, 72% shelling outturn, 60 g HSW, 52% oil content and 20% protein<br />
content) grown under full irrigation conditions significantly out yielded than the highest yielding<br />
control ICGS 76.<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season:<br />
One hundred and fifty nine advanced breeding lines including controls were evaluated for yield and<br />
other agronomic traits in six replicated trials. Elite and Advanced trials were grown under irrigated and<br />
rain-fed conditions. Due to continues and excess rainfall there was no difference in between irrigated<br />
and rain-fed crop growing conditions.<br />
In an Elite Trial (Spanish) grown under irrigation conditions, ICGV 08146 (3.6±0.31 t ha -1 pod yield,<br />
68% shelling outturn, 32 g HSWt) significantly outyielded the highest yielding drought resistance<br />
control ICGV 00350 (2.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 64% shelling outturn, 26 g HSW).<br />
In an Elite Trial (Virginia) grown under rain-fed conditions, two lines (4.1-3.2±0.37 t ha -1 pod yield)<br />
gave significantly higher pod yield than the highest yielding drought resistance control ICGV 87846.<br />
Conclusions<br />
A good number of lines for drought tolerance have been developed, evaluated and released for<br />
cultivation in South Asian countries.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Milestone: Performance of 3-4 dual-purpose varieties validated on-farm in drought prone areas 2009<br />
Additional report for <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Crop-livestock system is the predominant production system in SAT regions hence development of<br />
dual-purpose groundnut varieties gives and additional advantage of supporting livestock.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Multilocation testing of promising dual purpose varieties evaluation of their performance under drought<br />
stress<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
A dual purpose variety ICGV 91114 was released in Karnataka for cultivation in drought-prone areas<br />
of the state.<br />
Conclusions<br />
A dual purpose variety ICGV 91114 was released in Karnataka for cultivation in drought-prone areas<br />
of the state<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
293
Milestone: Farmer-preferred drought tolerant varieties identified in partner countries <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Farmer-preferred drought tolerant groundnut varieties can alleviate the losses caused by drought stress<br />
as it is a predominant production limiting constraints of groundnut in SAT.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
On-farm trails of superior groundnut varieties are conducted to identify farmer-preferred varieties.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Drought tolerant varieties ICR 48, ICGV 91114, ICGV 00350 and ICGV 87846 were released in India<br />
Conclusions<br />
Drought tolerant varieties ICR 48, ICGV 91114, ICGV 00350 and ICGV 87846 were released in India<br />
SN Nigam, Venu Prasad and Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone: Knowledge of inheritance of traits associated with drought tolerance in three crosses<br />
gained and appropriate breeding strategy devised <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Understating the inheritance mechanism of drought enable to design an appropriate breeding strategy to<br />
breed drought tolerant groundnut varieties.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Recombinant inbred mapping populations are development from the crosses ICGS 76 x CSMG 84-1,<br />
ICGS 44 x CSMG 84-1, ICGS 44 x ICGS 76 and TAG 24 X ICGV 86031 and made available for<br />
genotyping and phenotyping.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Parent and different filial generations are now available for the experiment under normal and imposed<br />
drought conditions in the <strong>2010</strong>/11 postrainy season.<br />
The mapping populations developed during the 2009 rainy season, 862 F 8 RILs of 3 crosses (ICGS 76<br />
x CSMG 84-1, 272 RILs; ICGS 44 x CSMG 84-1, 134 RILs; ICGS 44 x ICGS 76, 456 RILs) were<br />
preserved in cold storage for further studies. During <strong>2010</strong> rainy TAG 24 X ICGV 86031 was supplied<br />
for conducting drought mapping studies.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Drought mapping studies during post rainy <strong>2010</strong>/11 under progress<br />
SN Nigam, Venu Prasad and Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone: Range of variation for key physiological traits assessed in breeding materials and varieties<br />
from the breeding program <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Breeding for drought tolerance in groundnut is a critical target. Efforts of the past 25 years of research<br />
have concentrated on transpiration efficiency as the most critical trait to contribute to improved<br />
intermittent drought tolerance in groundnut. However, transpiration efficiency has, in most cases, been<br />
evaluated with surrogate traits that may not bear a robust relationship to TE. Therefore, a critical<br />
assessment of traits related to a better adaptation to intermittent drought is needed.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
We have used a lysimetric system, which allows to assess all three components of the Passioura<br />
equation (1977, Y = T x TE x HI) on same plants. We have used 80 genotypes contrasting for seed<br />
yield under drought in the field and have tested them in the lysimeters under differing water regimes.<br />
We are currently continuing this work using a refined list of 60 entries (tolerant/sensitive), this time<br />
based on multiple trials across years and locations.<br />
294
Results and Discussion<br />
What is reported here is only the beginning of an exhaustive assessment of possible traits that are<br />
involved in a better adaptation to intermittent stress in groundnut. Here we have found large genotypic<br />
variation in the quantity of water that can be extracted from the soil profile (several liters). However,<br />
what appeared to be more closely related to pod yield under stress was the amount of water taken<br />
between 45-79 days after stress imposition, a period that corresponds to the pod filling period. There<br />
was a negative significant correlation between pod yield and the water uptake at initial stage (0- 28)<br />
days after stress imposition under three intermittent stresses. These results appear to fully confirmed<br />
our preliminary results with a smaller range of genotypes. The relationship between total water uptake<br />
and root length density (RLD) under water stress, although significant, was a weak relationship,<br />
indicating that, as in the case of chickpea, measuring root morphological attribute has likely little value.<br />
It was also found that under medium and severe stress, pod yield was significantly and negatively<br />
related to the leaf area of plants. This suggests that under an intermittent stress, i.e. a regime of<br />
consecutive cycles of drying and re-wetting, genotypes having a lower leaf area and then using<br />
relatively less water likely suffer less the imposition of the stress than genotypes having larger leaf<br />
area. Under a mild stress, this relationship between pod yield under leaf area was not significant.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Ongoing work to understand the mechanisms of adaptation to water stress in groundnut shows that we<br />
need to go much beyond transpiration efficiency. We are starting to understand how certain pattern of<br />
water usage, in part related to canopy size, but may be also to canopy development and conductance,<br />
are explaining differences in pod yield.<br />
Pasala Ratnakumar and Vincent Vadez<br />
Activity 6.2.1.3 GN: Develop groundnut transgenic events for enhanced tolerance to drought<br />
Milestone: 1 – 2 transgenic DREB events of groundnut available for introgression into locally adapted<br />
germplasm in India <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
In our efforts to improve drought tolerance in groundnut, transgenic events carrying transcription<br />
factor, DREB1A from Arabidopsis thaliana driven by the stress inducible rd29A promoter from A.<br />
thaliana were evaluated for component traits of yield under intermittent drought conditions in a series<br />
of greenhouse experiments as well as event selection trials under confined field condition.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Over 50 transgenic events were previously generated via Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediated genetic<br />
transformation with the rd29A:DREB1A carrying binary vector and characterized using PCR, RT-PCR<br />
and Southern blotting techniques. Six transgenic events were selected based on differences in their<br />
transpiration (T) and transpiration efficiency (TE) and yield response in several dry-down experiments<br />
in pot and lysimeteric systems (long and large PVC tubes filled with soil and mimicking a real soil<br />
profile) under greenhouse conditions.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The events were advanced further till T8 generation. These events were comprehensively evaluated<br />
under intermittent stress conditions in separate greenhouse experiments. Our approach was to<br />
thoroughly assess whether transgenic DREB1A event derived from wild type variety JL24, which is<br />
known for its relative drought sensitivity, would have increased values in traits putatively related to a<br />
better yield under stress conditions, prior to assess a yield response per se. Transpiration efficiency<br />
assessment across several experiments indicated consistently higher TE in several events than<br />
untransformed control JL24,. Moreover, these transgenic events showed significantly higher yield<br />
(>60%) than the untransformed controls in greenhouse evaluation under intermittent drought stress.<br />
Two strip trials aimed at event selection under intermittent drought conditions under field conditions<br />
were carried out during the post-rainy season of 2009 and <strong>2010</strong> to reassess and confirm the previous<br />
greenhouse observations we had for the traits related to transpiration and roots and the yield differences<br />
under intermittent DS conditions. Results of 2009 experiment indicated significantly higher pod<br />
biomass and a higher seed numbers in RD19 and RD11 events than both WT JL24 and Null plants. In<br />
addition, RD19 event had a higher seed biomass than WT parent and Null. Though no HI differences<br />
were seen in any of genotypes in WW treatment; events RD19, RD11 and RD2 had a significantly<br />
superior HI than JL24 and Null under drought stress conditions. Following year, another confined field<br />
295
strip trial was carried out during rabi <strong>2010</strong> with all six transgenic events, RD2, RD11, RD12, RD19,<br />
RD20 and RD33 along with JL24, Null and ICGV86031 in lysimeters in the netted facility at RCW17A<br />
field. Consistent with the previous findings, RD11 and RD 33 again showed better seed filling than the<br />
control and rest of the transgenic events under the imposed intermittent DS, reconfirming the previous<br />
results. During the current year, permission was obtained from RCGM to conduct a strip trial under insoil<br />
drought conditions in a confined field during Rabi 2011 to further confirm our observations under<br />
more realistic field drought conditions.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Two transgenic events consistently outperformed than the control and rest of the transgenic events<br />
under the imposed intermittent DS both under greenhouse and confined field conditions. These events<br />
showed better seed filling and a higher harvest index under intermittent drought stress conditions.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone: 15-20 introgressed transgenic lines of groundnut with improved tolerance to water-limiting<br />
conditions evaluated 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Transgenic groundnut event RD2 carrying the transgene rd291A: DREB1A, have been consistent in<br />
showing high TE and better HI under water limiting conditions, hence chosen for the introgression in<br />
drought tolerant elite groundnut genotype ICGV 86031- with inherent multiple disease resistance<br />
attributes for studying the affect on the transgene response on changing the genotypic background.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Common breeding practice of hybridization was used for introgression of the transgene using RD2 as<br />
donor parent and ICGV 86031as the recurrent parent. F1 progeny was screened for the presence of<br />
transgene using PCR techniques. Resultant PCR positive F1 plants were tested for the expression of the<br />
transgene through RT-PCR. The above steps were repeated for all the successive backcrosses carried<br />
out between the PCR positive introgressed progeny with the transgene and the recurrent parent,<br />
ICGV86031 till BC3.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The transgene, DREB1A was introgressed into ICGV 86031, an elite breeding variety of groundnut<br />
through successive back-crossings to study the effect of the genomic background on DREB1A<br />
expression and its possible effect on drought tolerance. The BC3 populations generated so far are being<br />
advanced to further generations for subsequent phenotyping under strip trials. The expression studies<br />
are underway for DREB1A protein for generating the preliminary biosafety data for conducting the<br />
BRL 1 trials in the near future.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Phenotying involving the introgressed progeny with the transgene is to be initiated from the BC3F1<br />
progeny<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and SN Nigam<br />
Activity 6.2.1.4 GN: Marker-assisted breeding for salinity tolerance in groundnut<br />
Milestone: QTLs for salinity tolerance identified 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Soil salinity is an emerging problem in the areas, where groundnut is a major crop and preferred by the<br />
farmers due to its importance as fodder, thus development of salinity tolerant groundnut varieties is an<br />
important research priority to support crop-livestock systems of SAT.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The crosses, ICGV 86156 X ICGV 92196; ICGV 86156 X JL 24; ICGS 76 X ICGV 86699; and ICGS<br />
76 X ICG 4746 were completed in 2009-10 post rainy season<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The crossed seed of the four crosses are raised in <strong>2010</strong> rainy season and subsequently the F 2 ’s are<br />
raised in <strong>2010</strong>-11 post rainy season (now in the field).<br />
296
Conclusions<br />
The crosses ICGV 86156 X JL 24; ICGS 76 X ICGV 86699 will be advanced to develop RILs.<br />
Venu Prasad, SN Nigam and Vincent Vadez<br />
Rationale<br />
Salinity is a problem in some zones where groundnut is cultivated.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Experimental set up to screen for salinity tolerance consists in pots that are buried in the ground, filled<br />
with Alfisol, and then treated with a 0.94 g NaCl per kg of soil, applied in two installments, i.e. half at<br />
sowing and half about 2 weeks later.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The objective of the study was to better understand the characteristics of tolerant genotypes of<br />
groundnut to salinity, which was previously identified as those having a higher pod yield under saline<br />
conditions. A total of 275 accessions of groundnut were screened across two different seasons for their<br />
response to yield under saline condition. Salinity appeared to affect less the number of pods, which<br />
decreased only about 20-40% under salinity, than the pod weight which decreased more than 50%. This<br />
suggested that salinity affected seed development relatively more than pod formation, in agreement<br />
with a lower maturity index and a delay in the days to flower under saline stress. The number of days to<br />
flower had a significant although weak relationship with pod weight under salinity (R 2 = 0.20 and 0.33<br />
in 2006 and 2006-07 respectively), showing that genotype duration had little influence on plant<br />
tolerance to salinity stress. Shoot dry weight was negatively correlated with the total shoot Na + %, but<br />
there was no relationship between pod dry weight and shoot Na + %. A number of crosses were<br />
developed between genotypes that were highly contrasting for salinity tolerance and also showing high<br />
level of polymorphism at the DNA level.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Similar effect of salinity to those in chickpea was found in groundnut. There also, the reproductive<br />
stages are the most sensitive process to the saline treatment.<br />
Vincent Vadez, Namita Srivastava, SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Chickpea<br />
Output target 6.2.1 CP: Biotechnological strategies developed for improving drought avoidance<br />
root traits and salinity tolerance in chickpea<br />
Activity 6.2.1.1 CP: Marker-assisted breeding for drought tolerance in chickpea<br />
Milestone: Assessment of water uptake and related kinetics in contrasting genotypes for root traits<br />
studied using a lysimetric system 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
Root traits have been targeted as the major trait contributing to terminal drought tolerance in chickpea<br />
for over three decades. However, the relationship between water extraction and rooting traits is still<br />
understudied and controversial. Taking advantage of the lysimetric system, the top most contrasting<br />
twenty genotypes of chickpea for terminal drought tolerance (based on three years of weather data)<br />
were tested in the lysimeters to assess the relationship between root traits and water extraction and<br />
between these traits and seed yield.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Lysimeters (1.2 m long, 20 cm diameter) were used. Two treatments (fully irrigated conditions and<br />
terminal water stress applied by stopping irrigation at 23 days after sowing) were used with 20<br />
genotypes and 5 replications. Design was a randomized full block design with water regime as main<br />
factor and genotypes as sub-factor.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Twenty chickpea genotypes having similar plant phenology but contrasting for a terminal drought<br />
tolerance index based on yield were used. The pattern of water extraction clearly discriminated tolerant<br />
and sensitive genotypes. Tolerant genotypes had lower water uptake and lower index of stomatal<br />
conductance at vegetative stage than sensitive, while tolerant extracted more water than sensitive<br />
297
genotypes after flowering. The magnitude of the variation in root growth components (depth, length<br />
density, RLD, dry weight, RDW), measured at 5 weeks after stress imposition, did not distinguish<br />
tolerant from sensitive genotypes. The seed yield was not significantly correlated with the root length<br />
density (RLD) in any soil layers. By contrast, this parameter was both negatively related to water<br />
uptake between 23-38 DAS, and positively related to water uptake between 48-61 DAS. Seed yield<br />
decrease under terminal drought was related to reproductive failure rather than defect in seed filling.<br />
Conclusions<br />
In these conditions of terminal drought, the most critical component of terminal drought tolerance in<br />
chickpea was a conservative water use during the early days of the cropping cycle, explained partly by<br />
a lower canopy conductance, which resulted in more water available in the soil profile during<br />
reproduction.<br />
Mainassara Zaman and Vincent Vadez<br />
Milestone: QTLs for drought avoidance root traits validated <strong>2010</strong><br />
This milestone was fully achieved in 2009<br />
Milestone: MABC derived drought tolerant lines available from 2-3 locally adapted cultivars 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Analysis of phenotypic and genotypic data of the ICC 4958 × ICC 1882 population led to the<br />
identification of a ‘hotspot’, which harboured several QTLs for root-related traits and contributed about<br />
30% of phenotypic variation. These results indicated the occurrence of several QTLs for droughtrelated<br />
traits in this region. This genomic region is therefore being introgressed into elite chickpea<br />
cultivars.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Three cultivars (a) ICCV 92318 (kabuli type), released as Chefe in Ethiopia and as Hawata in Sudan<br />
and performing well in Kenya and Tanzania; (b) ICCV 92311 (kabuli type), released as KAK 2 in India<br />
and performing well in Kenya and Tanzania; and (c) ICCV 93954 (desi type), released as JG 11 in<br />
India and expected to perform well in SSA were selected for introgression of drought avoidance root<br />
traits through marker assisted backcrossing (MABC).<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
With an aim of introgressing root traits for drought tolerance in farmer preferred cultivars through<br />
MABC, two genotypes ICC 8261 and ICC 4958 were chosen as donor parents based on their high<br />
performance for root length density and drought tolerance. Three genotypes (ICCV 92318, ICCV<br />
92311 and ICCV 93954) have been chosen as recurrent parents, and following three crosses (ICCV<br />
92318 × ICC 8261; ICCV 92311 × ICC 8261; ICCV 93954 × ICC 4958) were made during crop season<br />
2006/07. F1s from these crosses were grown in greenhouse during the off-season in 2007 and were<br />
backcrossed to the recurrent parent: (a) ICCV 92318 × (ICCV 92318 × ICC 8261), (b) ICCV 92311 ×<br />
(ICCV 92311 × ICC 8261); (c) ICCV 93954 × (ICCV 93954 × ICC 4958). For initiating foreground<br />
selection, root trait phenotyping data and SSR genotyping data obtained from intraspecific mapping<br />
population ICC 4958 × ICC 1882, a hotspot harboring several root trait QTLs with about 30%<br />
phenotypic variation have been identified on LG 5, with flanking markers TAA 170 and ICCM 0249.<br />
Genomic region bracketed by SSR markers (TAA 170 and ICCM 0249) has been used to select<br />
heterozygote plants carrying drought resistance gene for foreground selection, while 8 AFLP primer<br />
combinations were used to select the plants with higher genome recovery of the recurrent parent for<br />
background selection. After completing three cycles of MABC (BC 1 F 1 , BC 2 F 1 and BC 3 F 1 ) in 2008 and<br />
2009 and two cycles of selfing (BC 3 F 2 and BC 3 F 3 ) in <strong>2010</strong>, at present BC 3 F 3 progenies are being raised<br />
in the field for seed multiplication as well as agronomic performance at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, India. BC 3 F 4 seed<br />
will be sent to NARS partners (Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania) to test their agronomic performance<br />
under multi environments.<br />
Conclusions<br />
MABC has provided BC 3 F 3 progenies for three crosses are being raised for seed multiplication and<br />
testing their agronomic performance at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, India.<br />
PM Gaur, RK Varshney, SK Chamarthi,<br />
S Tripathi, V Vadez and L Krishnamurthy<br />
298
Activity 6.2.1.2 CP: Mapping and marker-assisted breeding for salinity tolerance in chickpea<br />
Milestone: Contrasting materials (varieties, breeding lines, germplasm) for salinity tolerance assessed<br />
under field conditions <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Since chickpea is pushed more and more to marginal area for cultivation, salinity has become an<br />
important problem to maintain its productivity in areas where either dryland salinity is a problem, or<br />
where brackish water is the only option for irrigation. Identification of tolerant germplasm has been<br />
done in the past and testing of most contrasting entries in the field is the next step.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
In Bhatinda, two treatments (non saline field and a salt-affected soil with poor quality irrigation water)<br />
and 3 replicates were used. At CCHAU, the trial was carried out in a naturally saline field.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
These trials were carried out in two locations (PAU – Bathinda and CCHAU, Hisar). At CCHAU,<br />
Hisar the plant population showed a constant decline with advance in age of the plants and drastically<br />
so after mid-Feb and the final counts were reduced by more than 70% in all the genotypes. Yields<br />
under salinity of the tolerant genotypes ICC 15868 (175 kg ha -1 ) and ICC 7819 (238 kg ha -1 ) were<br />
comparable to that of the CSG 8962 (201 kg ha -1 ). However a local check HC3 outperformed all these<br />
tolerant genotypes ((502 kg ha -1 ). There were large variations among replications indicating variation in<br />
salinity levels of the plots.<br />
The field trial at Bhatinda station with 20 genotypes was successful. Variation in salinity tolerance was<br />
confirmed. As examples, for parents of RILs: (i) ICC1431 had only a 26% decrease in yield, whereas<br />
ICC6263 suffered a 58% yield decrease, (ii) JG11 was reduced only 11% whereas ICCV10 was<br />
reduced 33%. These data from North India confirm the differences in tolerance as identified in the<br />
different climate at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in South India, and demonstrate field performance of the lines. The<br />
contrast in seed yield under salinity between the parents of the mapping populations of this project<br />
confirmed that ICC1431 were more tolerant than ICC6263, which opens the possibility to screen the<br />
mapping population in this site.<br />
Conclusions<br />
A number of the most promising germplasm previously identified at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> also turned out to be<br />
tolerant in the Bhatinda trial.<br />
Vincent Vadez, L Krishnamurthy, Pooran Gaur,<br />
colleagues from PAU (Dr Jagmeet Kaur) and<br />
at Hisar (Dr Raj Panu)<br />
Milestone: QTLs for salinity tolerance identified 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Salinity is a complex abiotic stress and understanding the physiological and genetic basis of salinity<br />
tolerance is a prerequisite for improving existing crop cultivars. Assessing the range of variation for<br />
seed yield and its components under saline and non-saline conditions, and mapping QTLs for salinity<br />
tolerance will aid in chickpea crop improvement.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The 126 F12 RILs from the cross between ICCV 2 and JG 62 were grown under saline and non-saline<br />
conditions during 2005-06 and 2007-08, along with parental lines. Genotyping of data for 216 markers<br />
was used to construct the genetic map and composite interval mapping (CIM) with 1000 permutations<br />
was done using QTL Cartographer for mapping QTLs.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Of the 216 markers tested, 135 markers were mapped on to eight linkage groups spanning a distance of<br />
310.2 cM, although 81 markers remained unmapped. Linkage groups were assigned to chromosomes<br />
based on known location of legacy SSR markers (Winter et al., 2000, Nayak et al., <strong>2010</strong>). The number<br />
of markers per linkage group ranged from 7 (LG8) to 45 (LG6). The length of each linkage group<br />
varied from 5.1 cM (LG2) to 129.9 cM (LG3). Overall inter marker distance was 2.3 cM (Figure 6.3).<br />
299
QTLs identified for 11 different surrogate traits under saline and non-saline conditions in both<br />
environments are also shown on the map (Figure 6.3). QTLs were identified for both late and early<br />
phenology groups under saline and non-saline conditions. In the late phenology group, a QTL was<br />
found for seed yield under salinity on LG3 in 2007–08, explaining 19% of the variation. In the late<br />
group, one QTL was also found on the same linkage group under non-saline control conditions,<br />
although in a different genomic region, for shoot dry weight in 2007-08 and for yield in 2005–06 and<br />
2007–08. However, in case of early phenology group no QTL was found for seed yield under salinity<br />
in either year or treatments. Nevertheless, of the possible components of seed yield in that group, one<br />
QTL for shoot dry weight under salinity was found on LG1 in 2007–08, explaining 13% of the<br />
variation, and one QTL for seed number under salinity was found on LG7 in 2007–08, explaining 25%<br />
of the variation. When the phenotyping data were used for QTL analysis, disregarding the groups of<br />
phenology, no QTLs for seed yield was found in any of the treatments for either of the two years.<br />
Nevertheless, a genomic region containing QTLs for seed number and 100-seed weight under saline<br />
conditions in both 2005–06 and 2007–08 was found on LG6.<br />
Figure 6.3: Genetic linkage map of chickpea (ICCV2 × JG62) with 135 marker loci on eight linkage groups. Kosambi map<br />
distances are on left hand side, genomic regions harboring QTLs (black bars) and QTLs for salinity-related-traits<br />
(colored squares), as listed in Table 2, on right hand side of linkage group for early phenology group (E), late phenology<br />
group (L), under both saline (S) and non-saline (C) conditions and two environments 2005–06 (05) and 2007–08 (07).<br />
Vincent Vadez, Pooran Gaur, Mahendar Thudi and Rajeev Varshney<br />
Milestone: Introgression of QTLs for salinity tolerance initiated in farmer-preferred varieties 2011<br />
This activity was differed as QTL identified for salinity tolerance explained limited variation and<br />
needed to be validated in other population.<br />
Pooran Gaur<br />
Activity 6.2.1.3 CP: Develop and evaluate chickpea transgenic events for enhanced tolerance to<br />
drought stress<br />
Milestone: Transgenic DREB/P5CSF events transgenic events available for introgression into locally<br />
adapted genotypes <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
DREB1A has been shown to alter transpiration efficiency, the capacity to extract water from the soil<br />
profile, and seed yield under intermittent drought in groundnut. The question we addressed here is<br />
whether DREB1A could have similar types of contribution on traits if inserted in chickpea.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A number of transgenic events were generated using C235 as a wild type recipient of DREB1A::rd29<br />
from Arabidopsis thaliana. Four events were selected from a larger screening for transpiration<br />
efficiency and were tested in lysimeters filled with Vertisol (1.20 m long and 20 cm diameter). There,<br />
two water regimes were used: either a fully irrigated control or a terminal water stress applied at 30<br />
days after sowing.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The trial was performed also to assess the seed yield and its relationships with the pattern of water<br />
extraction, the number and flowers, pods and seeds, and the pod and seed weight. Water uptake was<br />
300
assessed every week and flowers were tagged weekly to relate flower, and seed number, pod and seed<br />
weight to transpiration. Results indicated that while the cumulative water extraction pattern in few<br />
transgenic events was similar to the untransformed parent, the water extraction was less during the preflowering<br />
phase, but was more during the post-flowering phase in at least two transgenic events. The<br />
water extracted in week 5 after stress imposition was significantly related to the seed number and<br />
weight. A higher pod biomass accumulation was observed in two transgenic events under water stress<br />
conditions. Two transgenic events had significantly higher yield (pod weight, seed number and seed<br />
weight) than the untransformed control. Interestingly, most of the transgenic events had lower flower<br />
abortions as compared to their wild type countertypes.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Although differences were not significant in this trial, it appears that DREB1A tends to increase the<br />
capacity of plant to extract water from the soil profile, in a way that parallel earlier results in DREB1A<br />
groundnut.<br />
Krithika Anbazhagan, Mainassara Zaman, Pooja Bhatnagar,<br />
Kiran Sharma and Vincent Vadez<br />
Activity 6.2.1.4 CP (New): Develop chickpea breeding lines with heat tolerance and study<br />
mechanisms and genetics of heat tolerance<br />
Milestone: Sources of heat tolerance identified from the existing germplasm/breeding lines <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Rationale<br />
Heat stress has emerged as a major constraint to chickpea production in the SAT regions because of<br />
increasing area under late sown conditions due to intensification of the cropping system; shift in<br />
chickpea area from cooler, long-season environments to warmer, short season environments; and<br />
frequent raise in temperatures due to climate change. Assessing genetic variability for heat tolerance in<br />
the germplasm/breeding materials and identifying sources of tolerance is must for initiating breeding<br />
for heat tolerance in chickpea.<br />
(A) Screening of reference set of chickpea for heat tolerance<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
The reference collection of chickpea germplasm (280 lines) was screened for high temperature<br />
tolerance at two locations (Patancheru and Kanpur) by delayed sowing and synchronizing the<br />
reproductive phase of the crop with higher temperatures (≥35°C).<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Many heat tolerant lines were identified and some of these lines showed no reduction in yield under<br />
heat stress conditions. The reference set showed significant variations for heat tolerance index (HTI),<br />
phenology, yield and yield components at both the locations. A cluster analysis of the HTI of the two<br />
locations yielded five cluster groups: (i) stable tolerant [18 genotypes] (ii) tolerant only at Patancheru<br />
[34] (iii) tolerant only at Kanpur [23] (iv) moderately tolerant [120] and (v) stable sensitive [82].<br />
Among the eighteen stable and heat tolerant genotypes identified, six genotypes (ICC 637, ICC 1205,<br />
ICC 3362, ICC 14402, ICC 14815 and ICC 15618) yielded higher under stress conditions and also had<br />
higher HTI values. Some of the genotypes (e.g. ICC 14778 and ICC 4958) identified as heat tolerant in<br />
this study were earlier identified as drought tolerant.<br />
Conclusions<br />
This suggests that it is possible to develop cultivars with combined tolerance to terminal drought and<br />
heat stresses. The pod number per plant and the harvest index were identified as key traits that can be<br />
used in selections for heat tolerance.<br />
L Krishnamurthy, PM Gaur, PS Basu, SK Chaturvedi,<br />
S Tripathi, V Vadez, A Rathore, RK Varshney and CLL Gowda<br />
(A) Mulilocation evaluation of genotypes for heat tolerance<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A set of 60 germplasm/breeding lines, including both desi and kabuli types, was evaluated at four<br />
locations (Patancheru, Kanpur, Jabalpur and Nandyal) under normal and late-sown conditions to identify<br />
301
stable heat tolerant genotypes. The experimental design used was randomized block design with two replications.<br />
Observations were recorded on phenological characters, yield components and yield.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Based on grain yield under heat stress conditions, several heat tolerant genotypes were identified. The<br />
top ten heat tolerant genotypes included 8 breeding lines/released varieties [ICCV 2, ICCV 06302,<br />
ICCV 07118, ICCV 07109, ICCV 96970 (JG 16), ICCV 93952 (JAKI 9218), ICCV 92311 (KAK 2)<br />
and ICCV 87207 (Vishal)] and two germplasm lines (ICC 8474, ICC 9942).<br />
Conclusions<br />
Several breeding lines with heat tolerance at multilocations were identified<br />
PM Gaur, K Suresh, Shailesh Tripathi, CLL Gowda,<br />
V Jayalakshmi (Nandyal), Anita Babbar (Jabalpur)<br />
and SK Chaturvedi (Kanpur)<br />
Milestones: Mechanisms of reproductive stage heat tolerance identified, 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
A better understanding of the mechanisms of heat tolerance will help in developing effective breeding<br />
strategies for heat tolerance.<br />
(A) Experiment conducted at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Two controlled environment experiments were conducted with one heat tolerant (ICCV 92944) and one<br />
heat sensitive (ICC 5912) genotypes. The two genotypes were grown in five replications under stress<br />
and non-stress conditions.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The one day exposure of flower buds to high temperature influenced pollen viability inside the anthers.<br />
In ICC5912, the pollen grains inside the anthers were fertile up to 34/19ºC. At 35/20ºC, all pollen<br />
grains inside the anther became sterile. In addition, there was no pod set in ICC5912 at 35/20ºC. In<br />
ICCV92944, the high temperature of 35/20ºC did not influence pollen fertility and the pollen grains<br />
were fertile. At 40/25ºC, the pollen grains inside the anther were partially sterile in ICCV92944.<br />
Therefore, the critical temperature for pod set in ICC5912 was 35/20ºC. Pollen germination and pollen<br />
tube growth was found in ICCV92944 at 35/20ºC. ICC5912 at 35/20º C had no pollen germination on<br />
the stigma and it had reduced pod set (P
100C, night) and heat stress conditions (38/25 0 C). Interestingly, the tolerant genotype, ICCV 92944<br />
had higher values and also performed almost identically at the normal and high temperature conditions.<br />
Further, yield parameters (biomass, pod number, filled pods, seed weight and harvest index) invariably<br />
decreased under stress conditions, but, the two heat tolerant genotypes were characterized by less<br />
reduction in yield parameters coupled with less membrane damage and better membrane injury index<br />
compared to the sensitive genotypes at ≥38 0 C. ICCV 92944 (tolerant) maintained higher chlorophyll<br />
content and lower cellular respiration at higher temperatures compared to the remaining three<br />
genotypes. The analysis of photosynthesis and fluorescence parameters indicates 20-35 0 C to be the best<br />
temperature range for photosynthesis in chickpea. Sucrose synthase levels (controls seed size) were<br />
higher in the two tolerant chickpea genotypes (ICCV 92944/ICCV 07110) in leaves; and ICCV 07110<br />
had higher in its seed compared to the sensitive genotypes at >350C. Three genotypes (tolerant- ICCV<br />
07110/92944; sensitive- ICC 14183) had large seeds, higher sucrose synthase and invertase activity.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Different parameters measured in both resistant and susceptible types could be used as indicators for<br />
heat tolerance, most preferably in combination rather than individually.<br />
Harsh Nayyar, PS Basu, PM Gaur,<br />
SK Chaturvedi and Nalini Mallikarjuna<br />
Milestone: Genetics of heat tolerance worked out 2012<br />
Rationale<br />
Understanding the genetics of heat tolerance is important for developing breeding strategies for heat tolerance.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Ten crosses involving four tolerant (ICC 1205, ICC 8950, ICC 1356, ICC 15614) and two sensitive<br />
(ICC 4567, ICC 10685) lines were made.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The crosses were made between: (i) Susceptible x Susceptible; (ii) Tolerant x Tolerant and; (iii)<br />
Susceptible x Tolerant genotypes. The F1 seeds were harvested. The genetics of heat tolerance would<br />
be studied in F 2 and one or two crosses would be advanced using SSD for development of RILs<br />
PM Gaur, K Suresh and CLL Gowda<br />
Pigeonpea<br />
Output target 6.2.1 PP: Improved pigeonpea for salinity tolerance using biotechnology<br />
Activity 6.2.1.1 PP: Identify superior pigeonpea genotypes for salinity tolerance<br />
Milestone: A set of pigeonpea genotypes suitable to breed for breeding salinity tolerance identified<br />
2009<br />
No activity due to lack of financial support.<br />
Activity 6.2.1.2 PP: Develop intra- and inter-specific mapping population of pigeonpea between<br />
contrasting materials for salinity tolerance<br />
Milestone: At least two mapping populations developed to map QTLs for salinity tolerance in pigeonpea <strong>2010</strong><br />
No activity due to lack of financial support.<br />
Sorghum<br />
Output target 6.2.1 SO: Improved sorghum for abiotic tolerance<br />
Activity 6.2.1.2 SO: Selecting for sorghum lines for abiotic stress tolerance.<br />
Milestone 6.2.1: Five sorghum varieties for salinity tolerance developed <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Soils are saline in many parts of the world especially the coast line of Saudi countries. Further, the<br />
water they apply to crop lands is also saline. A project with funding support from OPEC countries is<br />
being implemented to select sorghum cultivars for saline soil conditions.<br />
303
Materials and Methods<br />
A total of 80 F 7 progenies (from 91 F 6 progenies) and 73 F 8 progenies (from 153 F 7 progenies) were<br />
selected for B-line development program and 16 F 7 progenies (from 17 F 6 progenies) and 53 F 8<br />
progenies (from 94 F 7 progenies) were selected for R-line development program at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>,<br />
Patancheru in the 2009 postrainy season. These were test crossed and selected further among the<br />
progenies. The test crosses along with the progenies were evaluated during rainy season, <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Twenty nine BC 1 s on A 1 cytoplasm were selected based on maintainer reaction for further advancing<br />
and 39 R-lines were selected among the progenies which showed restorer reaction.<br />
Conclusions<br />
The above (twenty nine BC 1 s and 39 R-lines) are being evaluated in a nursery along with high yielding<br />
R-lines in post rainy season, <strong>2010</strong>. Also, the seed of the promising varieties (16) and hybrids (10) each<br />
2.5 kg that were earlier selected in salinity tolerant trials conducted at Agricultural Research Station,<br />
Gangavathi, during late rainy season, 2008 is also being increased.<br />
P Srinivas Rao and Belum VS Reddy.<br />
Output 6.3: Annually knowledge of the improvements of the biotechnological and conventional<br />
tools designed to facilitate biofortification and biodetoxification, breeding improved germplasm<br />
and management strategies (against mycotoxin contamination) of mandate crops and associated<br />
capacity building made available to partners internationally<br />
Output target 6.3.1 FORT: High yielding and micronutrient dense hybrids/improved<br />
populations/varieties of sorghum and promising transgenic events of groundnut and pigeonpea<br />
with high beta-carotene content available for testing in national trials<br />
Activity 6.3.1.1 FORT: Develop groundnut transgenic events for enhanced production of betacarotene<br />
Milestone: One or two transgenic events of groundnut with high beta-carotene content used for<br />
introgression into locally adapted genotypes and the progeny characterized and evaluated 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
While groundnut is an excellent sources of nutrition in terms of carbohydrates, proteins, oils and<br />
various minerals including iron and zinc, it lacks ß-carotene or provitamin A. Moreover, there is no<br />
genetic variability available in the existing germplasm for this important trait. Hence this study aims to<br />
enhance the levels of ß-carotene in groundnut by using genetic engineering approaches.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
A PCR based cloning of the phytoene synthase gene (psyI from maize), that control the production of<br />
ß-carotene was carried out and fused with the CaMV 35S promoter (for constitutive expression) or with<br />
the promotor from oleosin gene of Arabidopsis (for seed-specific expression in oil bodies) and used for<br />
development of over 90 primary transgenic events of groundnut (var. JL 24) through Agrobacteriummediated<br />
gene transfer. Seventy two events out of 90 primary transgenic events carrying oleo: psy<br />
genes that were previously developed have been advanced to next generation.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Molecular analysis of the transgenic events using PCR with gene-specific primers revealed the<br />
integration and presence of the transgene. Transgene expression in the developing pods of groundnut<br />
was observed by RT- PCR analysis. The inheritance pattern was studied in the transgenic events which<br />
confirmed Mendelian segregation in most of the transgenic events. Southern analysis was carried out<br />
with selected events and copy number ranged from one to three copies of the transgene. Molecular and<br />
biochemical data showed the stability of gene in advanced generations. The level of total carotenoids<br />
was 10 to 12-fold higher in transgenic events as compared to the untransformed controls. On the basis<br />
of total carotenoids and HPLC data, 7 events were selected and advanced to T 2 generation. Beta<br />
carotene levels in these transgenic events ranged from 0.01-0.32 ug /gm in T1 seeds which is a 10 fold<br />
increase than the control plants. In T 2 seeds beta carotene range was 0.04-1.54 μg/gm. However, other<br />
associated carotenoids such as Lutein, ß- Cryptoxanthin have been found to be increased by 10- 15 fold<br />
in transgenics as compared to control. (ß-Cryptoxanthin ranged between 0.22-9.65 μg/gm).<br />
304
An intriguing observation was that the transgenics had much higher lutein content amongst the<br />
individual carotenoids. Since, ß-lycopene cyclase (BLYC) is the key enzyme involved in ß-carotene<br />
biosynthetic pathway (where lutein to γ carotene and γ-carotene to ß-carotene conversions take place),<br />
we assume that over expression of BLYC may result in much higher accumulation of ß-carotene. The<br />
TaBLYC gene was sub cloned in to binary vector Pzp200.oleo.psy and have been using for pyramiding<br />
of these two genes to meet the target levels of provitamin A. Over 55 marker free putative transgenic<br />
groundnut (JL24) plants harboring maize psy1 and tomato ß-LYC genes were produced and were<br />
characterized at molecular level to confirm stable integration and expression of transgene. Biochemical<br />
analysis of the confirmed transgenic plants through HPLC showed an accumulation 1.2 to 5.4 µg/gm of<br />
β-Carotene which corresponds to multi fold increase in the levels of β-Carotene when compared to<br />
untransformed control. The selected events with higher levels of β-carotene were advanced to next<br />
generation. Almost all transgenic events showed inheritance pertaining to Mendelian segregation<br />
patterns. Biochemical analysis of the T1 progenies of the selected transgenic events showed a decrease<br />
in the levels total carotenoids and β-Carotene when compared to the T0 generation. Furthermore, 3<br />
different Groundnut Genotypes viz., CS39, ICGV05155, ICGV06040 developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> which are<br />
rich in Iron (Fe), Zinc (Zn) were transformed with maize psy1 and tomato ß-LYC genes and 120 marker<br />
free PZP200.Oleo:PSY::35S:BLYC putative transgenic Groundnut plants were developed. Molecular<br />
characterization of the above putative transgenic plant is being performed which will be followed by<br />
biochemical analysis to estimate the levels of carotenoid accumulation in confirmed transgenic<br />
groundnut plants.<br />
Besides, a new RNAi strategy has been initiated to down regulate the Epsilon cyclase (ε-Cyc) and ß-<br />
Hydroxylase (BCH) genes. The hypothesis of this study is that these genes in the carotenoid pathway<br />
might be responsible for decreased accumulation of β-Carotene either due to diverging carotenoid<br />
biosynthetic pathway towards higher α- Carotene accumulation (ε-Cyc) or due to conversion β-<br />
Carotene into Zeaxanthin (β-Hydroxylase). These genes has been isolated from groundnut and cloned<br />
into pGEMT-Easy vector and sequenced.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Level of total carotenoids was 10-25 fold increase in transgenic events as compared to the<br />
untransformed controls. Preliminary studies showed an enhanced β-carotene level (~5.5 μg/g) in two<br />
events. These events have been advanced further for gene stability as well as biochemical profiling.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and SN Nigam<br />
Activity 6.3.1.2 FORT: Develop pigeonpea transgenic events for enhanced production to betacarotenes.<br />
Milestone: 5-7 introgressed transgenic lines of pigeonpea with enhanced beta-carotene content<br />
evaluated and development of commercialization package initiated 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Pigeonpea seed contains on average approximately 21% protein and reasonable amounts of essential<br />
amino acids. Considering the state of Vitamin A malnutrition in most developing and under-developed<br />
countries and the role pigeonpea can play in subsistence farming, the nutritional improvement of<br />
pigeonpea with high-level of ß-carotene can play a very important role. Hence this study aims at<br />
engineering the pro-vitamin A (ß-carotene) biosynthetic pathway in pigeonpea seeds.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Over 140 primary pigeonpea transgenic events of pigeonpea carrying the maize psy1 gene were<br />
developed and established in the containment greenhouse for seed development and further<br />
characterization. Seeds of T1 generation of pigeonpea transgenics were collected from 90 events with<br />
the maize psy1 gene to study transgene inheritance, segregation and expression in their progeny.<br />
Extraction and quantification of total carotenoids and ß-carotene in primary transgenic pigeonpea seeds<br />
was carried out for the selection of best events<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation was previously carried out using the binary vectors<br />
containing maize psy1 gene driven by oleosin promoter for generating pigeonpea transgenic events<br />
with enhanced level of ß-carotene. Over 140 putative transgenic plants with maize psy1 were<br />
transferred to the containment greenhouse and characterized at molecular level for the integration and<br />
305
expression of the transgenes. Total carotenoids in the primary T 0 putative pigeonpea plants were<br />
estimated spectrophotometrically and 11 events selected for further analysis. The selected events<br />
showed 2 to 3-fold increase in ß-carotene levels evidenced using HPLC analysis.<br />
Over 60 transgenic events were advanced to T1 generation and subjected to molecular analysis. Seeds<br />
were collected from T 1 generation plants and subjected to HPLC analyses for ß-carotene content of<br />
seed samples. Studies indicate that the transgenics had much higher lutein content over the controls<br />
amongst the individual carotenoids. Since, ß-lycopene cyclase (BLYC) is the key enzyme involved in ß-<br />
carotene synthesis pathway, we assume that gene pyramiding with psy1 and BLYC may result in much<br />
higher accumulation of ß-carotene. Development of newer marker free pigeonpea transgenic plants<br />
carrying both maize psy1 and tomato ßlyc genes was initiated by using binary vector<br />
pZP200.Ole:PSY::35S:BLYC, to meet the target levels of provitamin A.<br />
Conclusions<br />
Total carotenoids were estimated spectrophotometrically and the transgenic events showed almost two<br />
fold increase in the total carotenoids. Based on this, 11 events were selected for further analysis for ß-<br />
carotene estimations using HPLC. Where, a few selected events showed up to 2 to 3 fold increase in ß-<br />
carotene levels.<br />
KK Sharma, Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur and KB Saxena<br />
Activity 6.3.1.3 FORT: Selecting sorghum lines for high grain Fe and Zn contents<br />
Milestone: Three varieties with high grain Fe (>40ppm) and Zn (>30 ppm) contents identified <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Micronutrient malnutrition (especially of Fe and Zn) is a major health problem in the developing<br />
countries. Biofortification is a cost effective and sustainable solution to combat micronutrient<br />
malnutrition. It complements well with the supplementation and chemical fortification methods<br />
currently being employed to address micronutrient malnutrition. Identification of high grain high Fe<br />
and Zn lines from the established varieties/R-lines helps in quick development of varieties and hybrids.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> developed more than 1000 R-lines for various traits of global interest. A total of 52<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred sorghum R-lines were evaluated for two years (2008 and 2009 postrainy seasons) for<br />
assessing the grain Fe and Zn contents<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
The mean performance of the 52 <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred sorghum R-lines for two years (2008 and 2009<br />
postrainy seasons) showed that for grain Fe the lines ranged from 25 to 39 ppm with an average of 31<br />
ppm (SE+: 2.23) and grain Zn content from 16 to 28 ppm with an average of 21 ppm (SE+: 1.26). The<br />
controls – PVK 801 and RS 29 respectively had 33 and 27 ppm grain Fe and 21 and 16 ppm grain Zn.<br />
Two R-lines ICSR 113 and ICSR 89035 were significantly superior (by 7% and 9%) to the control -<br />
PVK 801 for grain Fe contents with grain Fe 38 and 39 ppm and significantly superior (by 25% and<br />
16%) for grain Zn contents with grain Zn 28 and 26 ppm. Thirty R-lines were significantly 5 to 33%<br />
superior to the control - RS 29 for grain Fe contents with grain Fe ranging from 30 to 39 ppm and<br />
significantly superior (by 6 and 62%) for grain Zn contents ranging from 18 to 28 ppm<br />
Conclusions<br />
The results showed that thirty R-lines were significantly (by 5 to 33%) superior to the control - RS 29<br />
for grain Fe contents with grain Fe ranging from 30 to 39 ppm and significantly superior (by 6 and<br />
62%) for grain Zn contents ranging from 18 to 28 ppm which can be evaluated in multilocation trials<br />
for assessing the stability of their performance.<br />
A Ashok Kumar and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Output target 6.3.2 DTOX: Transgenic groundnut with enhanced resistance to Aspergillus flavus<br />
and aflatoxin production identified and available for introgression into regionally adapted<br />
germplasm<br />
Activity 6.3.2.1 DTOX: Develop and evaluate groundnut transgenic for enhanced resistance to<br />
Aspergillus flavus<br />
306
Milestone: Five promising transgenic events of groundnut with PNLOX13S gene identified for<br />
introgression <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Aspergillus flavus infection and subsequent aflatoxin contamination of peanut presents a serious<br />
agricultural, economical, and health hazard worldwide, especially in developing countries. Since the<br />
traditional approaches have not worked fully, it is critical that to identify novel solutions to this<br />
problem. A transgenic approach using seed lipid metabolizing lipoxygenases (LOX) based on available<br />
evidences of Aspergillus sp. activating the seed lipid pools for sporulation and mycotoxin development<br />
by overexpressing Pn13LOX gene has been carried out for possible inhibition of aflatoxin biosynthesis.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Molecular characterization of 20 previously developed transgenic events carrying 35S: PN LOX13S<br />
has been carried out. Some of these transgenic events have been advanced to T2 generation for seed<br />
multiplication and inheritance studies. The phenotypic evaluation of these events is being planned<br />
under contained greenhouse conditions in near future.<br />
Since, elongation of these plants was a major bottleneck; efforts were made to isolate the novel seedspecific<br />
promoters from groundnut (GSSP) and chickpea (CPLP) to target the expression of the<br />
lipoxynase gene in a seed-specific manner, since seed is the ultimate target for A. flavus infection. The<br />
efficiency of both the promoters has been confirmed through promoter binding studies using electro<br />
mobility shift assay (EMSA) and by histochemical GUS expression in Arabidopsis. Constructs were<br />
made using both these promoters to drive the peanut lipoxygenase gene (PnLOX3) in groundnut and<br />
tobacco.<br />
KK Sharma and Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur<br />
Milestone (New): Transgenic events carrying the rice chitinase gene (RChit) characterized and<br />
screened for A. flavus resistance <strong>2010</strong><br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Molecular characterization of four transgenic events carrying the rice chitinase gene (RChit) that had<br />
previously shown higher chitinase activity were advanced to subsequent generations and their fungal<br />
bioassays were carried out under lab/greenhouse conditions by using groundnut varieties JL 24 and J11<br />
as controls. Nine selected transgenic lines in T7 generation which consistently showed 0-10% A. flavus<br />
infection in vitro were further screened under micro-sick plots. The transgenic events had chitinase<br />
activity ranging from 2-9 folds in groundnut transgenics compare to untransformed controls.<br />
Micro-sick plots were designed and developed in the field for contained field evaluation of these<br />
transgenic events according to the biosafety considerations. A strip trial for event selection under<br />
natural infection was carried out during the Kharif <strong>2010</strong> (rainy season) with 9 selected transgenic<br />
events (T6 progenies) under contained field conditions on <strong>ICRISAT</strong> campus. Each micro-sick plot (2m<br />
x 3m x 1m) was filled with sand: compost (90:1) with a provision of pipeline system for root-zone<br />
watering, maintaining the pod zone dry. Inoculum (organic-matrix) for these experiments was prepared<br />
by growing A. flavus on autoclaved sorghum seeds at 28 o C for 5 days for use in the experiments. A<br />
total of five inoculations were done viz., before planting, third week of planting, fifth week of planting,<br />
seventh week of planting and after ninth week of planting. In each inoculation, 50-60 g of organicmatrix<br />
treatments (A. flavus sporulated sorghum seed) was applied and raked into the soil surface<br />
within 10 cm of the either side of the planting row. Post inoculation, at 65-70 days of planting<br />
thermocouples were installed to a depth of 5 cm for recording soil temperature. A water stress in pod<br />
zone was imposed at this stage while controlled irrigation was supplied in the root zone until<br />
harvesting. At the time of harvest, the sampling of pods was done for a comprehensive evaluation of<br />
pre-harvest infection, and aflatoxin content in the seeds using the ELISA based detection system<br />
developed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. The A. flavus group population densities were measured in the soil at different<br />
stages of viz., planting, at flowering and at harvest.<br />
Results indicated that all transgenic events showed significantly lower A. flavus infection ranging from<br />
(5-24%), and aflatoxin content (4-228 ppb) than the susceptible control JL 24 which showed highest A.<br />
flavus infection (37.3%) and aflatoxin content (386 pp). Transgenic event 24 and 12 showed<br />
significantly lower A. flavus infection (5 and 14.4% respectively) compared to other transgenic events<br />
307
and JL 24. Event # 12, 23, 27, 29, 31, 44, and J11 showed low aflatoxin content (4-94 µg/kg) compared<br />
to other transgenic events and JL 24.<br />
KK Sharma and Pooja Bhatnagar-Mathur<br />
Output target 6.3.3 DTOX: Simple and cost-effect test for the estimation of mycotoxins<br />
(Aflatoxins, Fumonisins and Ochratoxin-A) in crops and commodities, and aflatoxin-adducts in<br />
human serum developed and validated<br />
Activity 6.3.3.1 DTOX: Develop simple and cost-effective assays for the detection of mycotoxins in<br />
crops and commodities<br />
No milestone for <strong>2010</strong> or subsequent years<br />
Output target 6.3.4 DTOX: Aflatoxin resistant/tolerant groundnut genotypes identified<br />
Activity 6.3.4.1 DTOX: Evaluate groundnut varieties for resistance to Aspergillus flavus and<br />
aflatoxin production by in vitro inoculation studies and on-station testing in sick fields<br />
Milestone: Preliminary, advanced and elite foliar disease resistant breeding lines evaluated for<br />
resistance A. flavus and aflatoxin production under artificial inoculation conditions in the field 2009<br />
Rationale<br />
Aflatoxin contamination affects both human and livestock health and restricts the international trade of<br />
the commodity. Growing tolerant varieties compliments with pre and post harvest management to<br />
minimize Aflatoxin contamination.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
New breeding lines, ICGV 08050, ICGV 08058, ICGV 07165, ICGV 08006, ICGV 08030, ICGV<br />
08043, ICGV 08268, and ICGV 08234 were used as sources of resistance to aflatoxin in hybridization<br />
program. Multilocation testing of promising lines<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
One set of international aflatoxin resistant groundnut varietal trial seed to India (Gujarat) and<br />
Bangladesh, and 7 segregating populations were made available to Vietnam.<br />
New crosses: Ten new crosses were completed in the 2009/10 postrainy and <strong>2010</strong> rainy seasons to<br />
develop aflatoxin tolerant breeding lines.<br />
Breeding populations: In the 2009/10 postrainy season, 249 F 2 -F 11 bulks and 95 plant progenies were<br />
sown for further selection. From these, 355 bulk and 119 single plant selections were made. Of these,<br />
77 advance generation bulks were identified for inclusion in replicated yield trials. Similarly in the<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season, 207 F 2 -F 12 bulks and 119 plant progenies were sown for further selections. From<br />
these, 238 bulks and 423 single plant selections were made. The promising selections for agronomic<br />
traits came from the crosses, (55-437 x UF-71-513-1), (TMV 2 x PI 337409), and (ICGV 91114 x<br />
ICGV 07152).<br />
Yield Trials:<br />
During the 2009 rainy season and in 2009/10 postriany season one hundred and twenty three advanced<br />
breeding lines including controls were evaluated for yield and other agronomic traits in three replicated<br />
trials. Same set of trials were also planted in Aflatoxin sick field for screening in the 2009/10 postrainy<br />
season. The main results are as below-<br />
i. 2009 rainy season:<br />
In an Advanced Trial, two test lines ICGV 08041(3.2±0.24 t ha -1 pod yield, 73% shelling outturn, 42 g<br />
HSW) and ICGV 08038 (3.1 t ha -1 pod yield, 66% shelling outturn, 31 g HSW) gave significantly<br />
higher pod yield than the highest yielding control JL 24 (2.3 t ha -1 pod yield, 60% shelling outturn, 31 g<br />
HSW).<br />
308
In Preliminary Trial-1, only one line ICGV 09065 (4.4±0.42 t ha -1 pod yield, 61% shelling outturn, and<br />
29 g HSW) significantly outperformed the highest yielding control ICGV 88145 (2.0 t ha -1 pod yield,<br />
65% shelling outturn, and 39 g HSW).<br />
In Preliminary Trial-2, six lines (3.8-2.8±0.29 t ha -1 pod yield) gave significantly higher pod yield than<br />
the highest yielding control ICGV 88145 (2.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 58% shelling outturn, 37 g HSW). The<br />
best entry in the trial was ICGV 09087 (3.8 t ha -1 pod yield, 66% shelling outturn, 36 g HSW) followed<br />
by ICGV 09081 (3.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 63% shelling outturn, 42 g HSW)<br />
ii. 2009/10 postrainy season:<br />
In an Advanced Trial, four lines (4.1-3.4±0.22 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outyielded the highest<br />
yielding resistant control ICGV 88145 (2.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 68% shelling outturn, 44 g HSW, 0.0%<br />
A.flavus infection, and 0.0 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination). ICGV 08038 ranked first in pod yield (4.1 t<br />
ha -1 pod yield, 75% shelling outturn, 40 g HSW, 3.5% A.flavus infection, and 209.5 µg/kg Aflatoxin<br />
contamination). In addition, six other lines showed resistance (0.0 µg/kg) to Aflatoxin contamination<br />
with pod yield range of 3.2-2.5 t ha -1 .<br />
In Preliminary Trial-1, three lines (4.3-3.9±0.22 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outyielded the highest<br />
yielding control JL 24 (3.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 72% shelling outturn, 38 g HSW, 2.0% A.flavus infection,<br />
and 1.25 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination). ICGV 09054 ranked first in pod yield (4.3 t ha -1 pod yield,<br />
71% shelling outturn, 50 g HSW, 0.0% A.flavus infection, and 10.5 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination),<br />
ICGV 09058 ranked second (4.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 71% shelling outturn, 45 g HSW, 0.0% A.flavus<br />
infection, and 10.7 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination), and ICGV 09051 ranked third (3.9 t ha -1 pod yield,<br />
71% shelling outturn, 47 g HSW, 4.0% A.flavus infection, and 3.6 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination).<br />
In Preliminary Trial-2, 13 lines (4.0-3.4±0.25 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outyielded the highest<br />
yielding resistant control J 11 (2.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 68% shelling outturn, 35 g HSW, 0.0% A.flavus<br />
infection, and 3.35 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination). ICGV 09083 ranked fourth in pod yield (3.7 t ha -1<br />
pod yield, 72% shelling outturn, 54 g HSW, 0.0% A.flavus infection, and 0.0 µg/kg Aflatoxin<br />
contamination), ICGV 09087 ranked seventh (3.6 t ha -1 pod yield, 78% shelling outturn, 46g HSW,<br />
1.0% A.flavus infection, and 1.3 µg/kg Aflatoxin contamination), and ICGV 09100 ranked tenth (3.6 t<br />
ha -1 pod yield, 76% shelling outturn, 36 g HSW, 6.0% A.flavus infection, and 1.15 µg/kg Aflatoxin<br />
contamination).<br />
iii. <strong>2010</strong> rainy season:<br />
One hundred and forty eight advanced breeding lines including controls were evaluated for yield and<br />
other agronomic traits in four replicated trials.<br />
In an Elite Trial, ICGV 08040(1.7±0.22 t ha -1 pod yield, 67% shelling outturn, 34 g HSW) gave<br />
significantly higher pod yield than the highest yielding control J 11 (1.2 t ha -1 pod yield, 65% shelling<br />
outturn, 25 g HSW).<br />
In an Advanced Trial, eleven lines (3.0±0.21 t ha -1 pod yield) gave significantly higher pod yield than<br />
the highest yielding control ICGV 88145 (1.4 t ha -1 pod yield, 61% shelling outturn, 30 g HSW). ICGV<br />
09084 produced highest pod yield (3.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 68% shelling outturn, 35 g HSW) followed by<br />
ICGV 09081 (2.9 t ha -1 pod yield, 68% shelling outturn, 33 g HSW)<br />
In Preliminary Trial-1, nine lines (3.0±0.21 t ha -1 pod yield) significantly outperformed the highest<br />
yielding control ICGV 88145 (1.2 t ha -1 pod yield, 61% shelling outturn, and 28 g HSW). The highest<br />
yielding cultivar in the trial was ICGV 10040 (3.0 t ha -1 pod yield, 68% shelling outturn, 51 g HSW)<br />
followed by ICGV 10038 (2.7 t ha -1 pod yield, 71% shelling outturn, 39 g HSW)<br />
In Preliminary Trial-2, two lines (2.1±0.14 t ha -1 pod yield) gave significantly higher pod yield than the<br />
highest yielding control J 11(1.4 t ha -1 pod yield, 66% shelling outturn, 21 g HSW). The best entry in<br />
the trial was ICGV 10067 (2.1 t ha -1 pod yield, 66% shelling outturn, 25 g HSW).<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
309
Milestone: Ten interspecific derivatives of groundnut evaluated for A. flavus and aflatoxin resistance<br />
and promising lines identified (HKS/NM) 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Wild relatives of crop plants in general and Arachis species in particular are known to have multiple<br />
disease resistance. With the published report on the transfer of A. flavus-aflatoxin resistance from<br />
Arachis species, work was initiated at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> on the introgression of A. flavus-aflatoxin resistance<br />
from Arachis species.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Advance generation and stable interspecific derivatives, new sources of tetraploid groundnut<br />
synthesized at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and hybrids lines between cultivated x new sources of tetraploid groundnut<br />
were screened in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> sick plot for A. flavus-aflatoxin resistance.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Hundred and forty lines of advanced generation interspecific derivatives of groundnut, with some of<br />
the lines repeated from first year’s experiment were screened for Aspergillus flavus infection and<br />
aflatoxin production. From these lines 36 lines with low A. flavus infection and aflatoxin production<br />
were identified for further evaluation. Based on first year’s data four promising lines were crossed<br />
with elite groundnut cultivars and the F3 progeny were screened for A. flavus infection and aflatoxin<br />
production. All the lines registered low A. flavus damage and aflatoxin production.<br />
Crosses between elite groundnut cultivars and new sources of amphidiploid groundnut (ISATGR 1212)<br />
were carried out and high degree of recombination was observed between the two (Table 1). Six F 3<br />
progeny lines and one F 4 progeny line were screened for A. flavus infection and aflatoxin production.<br />
It was interesting to note that all the lines showed low A. flavus infection. With respect to aflatoxin<br />
production except for two lines which produced higher aflatoxin (235-833ug/g), rest of the five lines<br />
produced low aflatoxin (0-6.7 ug/g).<br />
Nine Bolivian landrace lines were included in the study to test for A. flavus infection and aflatoxin<br />
production. Eight lines showed low A. flavus infection (0-3%) and all the nine lines 9including the one<br />
with higher A. flavus infection (34 %) produced low aflatoxin (0-6.0 ug/g).<br />
The results show that all the three approaches of utilizing advanced generation interspecific derivatives<br />
derived from Arachis species, Bolivian landraces, as well as utilizing synthetic groundnut are good<br />
sources to transfer resistance to A. flavus infection and aflatoxin production.<br />
Table 6.6: Aspergillus flavus infection and aflatoxin production in cultivated x ISATGR 1212<br />
lines<br />
Conclusions<br />
It is possible to transfer A. flavus resistance and low aflatoxin production from wild relatives of<br />
groundnut<br />
Hari Krishan Sudini and Nalini Mallikarjuna<br />
310
Activity 6.3.4.2 DTOX: Evaluate various soil amendments and biocontrol agents for reducing preharvest<br />
A. flavus/ aflatoxin contamination in groundnut<br />
No milestones for <strong>2010</strong> and subsequent years<br />
Output target 6.3.5. IPM: Effective and eco- friendly IPM technologies designed, evaluated and<br />
shared with the NARS/NGOs<br />
Activity 6.3.5.1 IPM: Develop and validate effective IPM technologies for crop production<br />
Milestone: IPM options tested and validated on-station and on-farm, and disseminated to the farmers<br />
through NARS and NGOs 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
Eco-friendly, effective and economically feasible plant protections options have greater role to play in<br />
developing IPM technologies. Among various options naturally occurring insect pathogens were found<br />
very specific to target pests. Developing a bio-agent with high persistence to suit easy application is of<br />
high importance.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Two locally available inert dusts were selected and the required virus quantity has been inoculated. The<br />
virulence of the virus in different formulations was bio-assayed at monthly intervals and compared with<br />
fresh control.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Two talc based powder formulations of Helicoverpa NPV have been developed and their bio-efficacy<br />
has been evaluated under laboratory conditions. These powder formulations after sixteen months of<br />
storage under laboratory conditions resulted in similar larval mortality compared with fresh virus<br />
(94%). Field efficacy trials are underway in chickpea during <strong>2010</strong>-11 season.<br />
Conclusions<br />
NPV powder formulation was found effective in suppression of Helicoverpa on par with conventional<br />
chemical, Monocrotophos. This can be a better tool in IPM where application of the bio-agent as spray<br />
is a constraint.<br />
GV Ranga Rao<br />
Milestone: Insect pest and disease diagnostic tools and pest population dynamics models in relation to<br />
climatic changes developed (GVRR/HCS/HKS/SP/RS) 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
One of the problems in addressing pest management is inadequate knowledge about the factors<br />
influencing pest population dynamics. To understand pest dynamics several researchers collect pest<br />
surveillance data and related agricultural operations and other weather parameters. Correlations<br />
between some of these factors and pest incidence based on statistical models have been developed.<br />
However, a functionally viable model for pest forecast is still needed by farmers for efficient and<br />
effective pest management.<br />
Materials and Methods<br />
Pest surveillance data collected at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> on key pests of chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut crops<br />
was correlated with daily weather in the farm.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Pest surveillance data generated from 1991 to 2008 at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> on key pests of groundnut, chickpea<br />
and pigeonpea crops has been summarized according to standard week for detailed analysis. The data<br />
will be subjected to climate variability over years in order to make appropriate conclusions about the<br />
influence of climate variability on insect pest populations. The data need to be looked critically in<br />
collaboration with agro-climatologist to draw appropriate conclusions. This would be the prime activity<br />
for the coming years.<br />
GV Ranga Rao<br />
311
Output targets 6.3.6. CAP: Capacity of NARS/NGOs enhanced, and products/information on<br />
improved cultivars and crop production technologies disseminated in Asia<br />
Activity 6.3.6.1 CAP: Capacity building and dissemination of information on improved<br />
cultivars/technologies to NARS/NGOs/farmers in Asia<br />
Milestone: Nearly 20 students, scientists, apprentices, and technicians trained in various aspects of<br />
crop improvement, biotechnology, and crop management <strong>2010</strong><br />
Rationale<br />
Capacity building has been recognized as a priority item for enhanced use of technologies/capacities by<br />
researchers to develop and deploy products that meet the crop productivity demands.<br />
Capacity building Activities during <strong>2010</strong><br />
One PhD student (Srinivasan) from University of Western Australia worked on physiology, genetics<br />
and mapping of salt tolerance trait in chickpea graduated successfully during November <strong>2010</strong>. Another<br />
student (Viola) from University of Sydney is presently working on heat tolerance in chickpea. She has<br />
finished field screening for heat tolerance and controlled environment experiments on reproductive<br />
biology of selected heat tolerant and sensitive lines.<br />
PM Gaur, Nalini Mallikarjuna, Rajeev Varshney,<br />
L Krishnamurthy and Vincent Vadez<br />
Two groundnut researchers from DAR (Ms Phyu Phyu Moe and Ms Sein Leai Mon) have attended a<br />
three month training course at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> in groundnut breeding. One pigeonpea researcher (Ms Khin<br />
Lay Kyu) and one chickpea researcher (Ms Mar Mar Win) had training at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> leading to M.Sc<br />
and Ph.D degrees respectively. Ms Thi Thi Aung from the DAR rhizobium group continued her Ph.D<br />
program at Suranaree University of Technology (SUT), Thailand. (ACIAR-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> project).<br />
GV Ranga Rao, SN Nigam, PM Gaur and KB Saxena<br />
• Seven visiting fellows, including scientists and technicians from four countries of SAT Asia have<br />
undergone training on various aspects of “Groundnut Breeding Methodologies”<br />
• Three students have undergone training<br />
• Eleven entrepreneurs were trained on aspects of groundnut seed production and business<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
• Imparted training to three apprentices (Ashoka Chakravarthy B, Ramesh Krishnan R, and Madhavi<br />
L) on “Pathological and Molecular characterization of Rhizoctonia bataticola causing dry root rot<br />
of chickpea and Phytophthora drechsleri f. sp. cajani causal agent of pigeonpea blight”.<br />
• Imparted training to 20 participants on high throughput phenotyping of chickpea diseases under “Training course on<br />
Modern Breeding Methodologies for Chickpea Improvement” at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru.<br />
• Imparted training to 5 participants from Seed Companies (Maharashtra) under Groundnut and<br />
Chickpea field day for “Groundnut and Chickpea Varietal Development Research Consortium<br />
(GCVDRC) on Fusarium wilt resistance screening at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru.<br />
• Imparted training to 6 participants from JNKVV- Jabalpur on “Chickpea and Pigeonpea diseases”<br />
at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru.<br />
• Imparted training to 21 participants on Screening techniques for host resistance in chickpea:<br />
retrospective and perspective and controlled environment resistance screening for foliar diseases of<br />
chickpea under “Chickpea Pathology- Training course for newly appointed Plant Pathologist and<br />
refreshing courses for Senior Pathologist working in the AICRP on Chickpea” at IIPR Kanpur.<br />
• Imparted training to Dr Dibendu Datta, Principal Scientist from IIPR- Kanpur on “Pigeonpea wilt<br />
and SM diseases, field screening, identification and selection” at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>- Patancheru.<br />
Suresh Pande and Mamta Sharma<br />
312
Milestone: Nucleus/Breeder seed production of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred advanced breeding lines released in<br />
partner countries undertaken on request from NARS Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
To provide support for strengthening formal and informal seed systems<br />
Chickpea: A total 1.79 t breeder seed was produced for nine varieties, which included ICCC 37 (1900<br />
kg), ICCV 10 (990 kg), KAK 2 (1250 kg), JG 11 (3400 kg), JGK 1 (250 kg), JAKI 9218 (7000 kg), JG<br />
130 (500 kg), Vihar (1000 kg) and JG 14 (1650 kg)<br />
PM Gaur, Shailesh Tripathi and CLL Gowda<br />
Pigeonpea: In <strong>2010</strong>, a total of 1682 kg breeder seeds of 13 pure-line varieties (ICPL 87119, ICP 8863,<br />
ICPL 88039, ICP 7035, ICPL 87051, ICPL 96053, ICPL 85063, ICPL 20092, ICP 13092, ICPL 87091,<br />
ICPL 151, ICPL 161, and MN8) were distributed to various NARS partners from the Philippines,<br />
Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, Kenya, and India. Likewise, 1447 seed samples of 7 released varieties<br />
(ICPL 87119, ICP 8863, ICPL 88039, ICP 7035, ICPL 87051, ICPL 96053, and ICPL 85063) were<br />
shared with Brazil, India, Kenya, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and USA.<br />
RK Srivastava, KB Saxena and MG Mula<br />
Groundnut: 2009/10 postrainy season: A total 34.27 t breeder seed of six groundnut varieties were<br />
produced of which 28.89 t was distributed to various public and private seed producing agencies for<br />
next stage seed multiplication. Small seed samples of these varieties, each of 2-3 kg was also<br />
distributed to 89 farmers on request.<br />
Table 4: Groundnut breeder seed produced and distributed during 2009/10.<br />
Variety Area(ha)<br />
Production<br />
(kg)<br />
Distribution<br />
(kg)<br />
ICGV 91114 18.0 22900 19200<br />
ICGS 44 2.0 2310 2250<br />
ICGS 76 1.0 1230 1120<br />
DRG 12 0.8 1140 1000<br />
ICGV 00350 2.6 5850 4570<br />
ICGV 87846 1.0 840 750<br />
Total 25.4 34270 28890<br />
<strong>2010</strong> rainy season: 1.6 t of Nucleus/Breeder seed of ICGV 91114 and ICGV 87846 was produced for<br />
further seed production purpose in the <strong>2010</strong>/11 postrainy season.<br />
In addition to the above, seeds of different varieties was provided to various partners as per below:<br />
• Seeds of 34 sets of international trials sets and 123 advanced breeding lines were provided to<br />
cooperators in 14 countries.<br />
• Under IFAD project seeds of three varieties were supplied to three collaborators. ICGV 91114<br />
(3000 kg), ICGS 44 (60 kg) and ICGS 76 (60 kg) was provided to OTELP; ICGV 91114 (600<br />
kg) to JTDC and ICGV 91114 (2000 kg) to RDT.<br />
• As part of TL II project seeds of varieties ICGV 87846 (2050 kg) and ICGV 00351 (500 kg)<br />
were provided to TNAU; and ICGV 00350 (3200 kg) to UAS collaborators. The seed of these<br />
varieties was produced and supplied to the collaborators for conduct of on-farm trials and<br />
further evaluation.<br />
Also supplied two sets each of XII ISGVT, XII IMGVT(SB), XII IMGVT(VB), XII<br />
IFDRGVT, XII ICGVT and VII IDRGVT to TNAU and three sets each of XII ISGVT, XII<br />
IMGVT(SB), XII IFDRGVT, XII ICGVT and VII IDRGVT to UAS for evaluation.<br />
• Two seed companies (Krishidhan Seeds Limited, Jalna and Nimbkar Seeds Private Limited,<br />
Phaltan) have renewed their membership to Seed Consortium for the year <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Milestone: Farmers’ field days, as and when needed, organized at special project locations (All<br />
scientists) Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
Imparting training to the farmers enables adoption of new varieties and technologies by the farmers that<br />
can be realized as increased production and quality of the crop produce.<br />
313
Seven field days were conducted in different villages in Kurnool district of AP by our partners. 1538<br />
men and 405 women participated in these fields’ days. Another three farmers’ days (at Uppugundur,<br />
Bollavarappadu and Kongapadu) were conducted in Prakasam district of AP. 98 men and 5 women<br />
attended these fields’ days. Eleven field days were conducted in Dharwad district of Karnataka during<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Totally 1605 people (1305 men and 300 women) participated in the field days.<br />
PM Gaur, CLL Gowda and NARS partners<br />
(VJayalakshmi, Y Satish, PM Salimath, DM Mannur)<br />
Six field days for farmers were organized in India and Nepal to showcase to the farmers the new<br />
improved varieties and technologies of groundnut.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Four chickpea field days involving 326 farmers; three pigeonpea field days with 191 farmers; and three<br />
groundnut field days with 83 farmers were organized in Myanmar under ACIAR-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> project.<br />
GV Ranga Rao, SN Nigam, PM Gaur and KB Saxena<br />
Field days for pigeonpea were organized to more than 1346 farmers, extension officials and village<br />
level workers from Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Gulbarga. The<br />
participants were trained in seed production technology, ICM, IPM and post harvest technologies.<br />
RK Srivastava, KB Saxena and MG Mula<br />
Milestone: Farmer-friendly literature on crop management and seed production technology published<br />
and distributed to NARS Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
To provide comprehensive information on improved cultivars and production technologies to the<br />
farmers.<br />
A chickpea seed production manual was published in English and Telugu.<br />
PM Gaur, S Tripathi, CLL Gowda, GV Ranga Rao,<br />
HC Sharma, S Pande, M Sharma and NARS partners<br />
Farmer-friendly literature on groundnut crop management and its seed production manual are published<br />
in English and vernacular languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Gujarati, Nepali and Vietnamese) and<br />
made available to partners and other stakeholders.<br />
SN Nigam<br />
Extension material on pigeonpea, groundnut and chickpea production technologies and varieties have<br />
been developed by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-DAR/MAS and shared with all the partners in the project area.<br />
GV Ranga Rao, SN Nigam, PM Gaur and KB Saxena<br />
A total of nine farmer friendly literature on pigeonpea cultivation and seed production technology,<br />
processing, storage, integrated crop management (ICM) technologies, and dal milling were produced in<br />
leaflet, brochure and in booklet forms in association with PDKV Akola, ANGRAU Hyderabad, Dept.<br />
of Agriculture-Uttrakhand. Of these, two bulletins are in Marathi, three in Telugu and three in Hindi.<br />
Details of these publications can be obtained from special project reports.<br />
RK Srivastava, KB Saxena and MG Mula<br />
Milestone: NARS scientists’ field days in sorghum, pigeonpea, groundnut, and chickpea organized<br />
Biannual<br />
Rationale<br />
To facilitate interactions between <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and NARS scientists and to provide opportunity to NARS<br />
partners for selection of breeding materials and germplasms of their interests.<br />
Chickpea: One field day was organized during January <strong>2010</strong> for the partners of Groundnut and<br />
Chickpea Varietal Development Research Consortium (GCVRDC). The partners selected breeding<br />
lines of their interests.<br />
PM Gaur and CLL Gowda<br />
314
Groundnut: NARS scientist’s field day was organized to showcase the improved lines and breeding<br />
populations for various important traits. This enabled the partner breeders to choose the materials as per<br />
their local requirements.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Pigeonpea: A total of 7 NARS scientist field days/training programs/exposure visits were conducted in<br />
India (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka).Scientists were trained in seed<br />
production technology, post harvest technology to include processing and storage. Structured programs<br />
conducted in integrated disease and pest management (IPM) practices, and agronomy. Under various<br />
special projects, training was also imparted at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Center, Patancheru for scientists of Andhra<br />
Pradesh, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Details of these activities can be found in special project<br />
reports.<br />
RK Srivastava and KB Saxena<br />
Milestone: Farmer-participatory varietal selection trials conducted on legumes to enhance adoption of<br />
improved cultivars Annual<br />
Rationale<br />
Involvement of farmers enables selection of varieties suitable for local preferences and their subsequent<br />
adoption of that variety in that area.<br />
Chickpea: FPVS trials were conducted on improved chickpea cultivars/elite lines in Andhra Pradesh<br />
and Karnataka states of India under Tropical Legumes II project. Taking into account farmer and<br />
market preferred traits, eight improved cultivars/breeding lines (4 desi + 4 kabuli) were selected for<br />
FPVS trials at each of the four project locations (Kurnool and Prakasam districts in Andhra Pradesh<br />
and Dharwad and Gulbarga districts in Karnataka). Twenty mother trials and 217 baby trials were<br />
conducted in 23 villages (5 to 8 villages in each district) to expose farmers to improved cultivars and<br />
allow them to select cultivars of their preference. A total of 1181 farmers (1052 male + 129 female)<br />
were involved in ranking of varieties in FPVS trials. The desi chickpea cultivars JG 11 and JAKI 9218<br />
were preferred in all four districts. In addition to these, desi chickpea cultivar JG 130 was preferred in<br />
both the districts of Andhra Pradesh, while desi chickpea cultivar BGD 103 was preferred in both the<br />
districts of Karnataka. Farmers in Prakasham district of Andhra Pradesh also preferred kabuli chickpea<br />
cultivar KAK 2. The traits for which these cultivars were preferred included, profuse podding, high<br />
productivity, early maturity, resistance to fusarium wilt, and market-preferred seed traits (e.g. medium<br />
seed size in desi type and large seed size in kabuli type).<br />
PM Gaur, CLL Gowda and NARS partners<br />
(VJayalakshmi, Y satish, PM Salimath, DM Mannur)<br />
Groundnut: Farmer-preferred varieties (FPVs) of groundnut were identified through FPVS trials in<br />
India, Nepal and Vietnam which include ICGV 91114 and ICGS 76 in India; Rajarshi, Baideshi and B4<br />
in Nepal; and L 14 and L 23, L26, D0401 in Vietnam. Varieties selected through farmers participatory<br />
research enabled both quick adoption of such a variety and the trial seed given to the farmer helped in<br />
its dissemination.<br />
SN Nigam and Venu Prasad<br />
Pigeonpea: In these trials scientists along with farmers selected varieties of their preference. In Orissa,<br />
India, a total of 6 ha were planted with ICPL 87119 and ICP 7035 intercrop with ragi and maize by 58<br />
farmers in 35 villages covering four districts. In Nepal, FPVs include ICP 7035, ICPL 86005, ICPL<br />
88039, and Rampur Rahar 1 were provided to 477 farmers covering 18 ha in the districts of Surkhet,<br />
Dailekh, Dang, Doti and Bajura. Details of these activities can be found in special project reports.<br />
RK Srivastava and KB Saxena<br />
Legumes in Myanmar: Potential cultivars have been evaluated and shared with farming communities<br />
in Magway, Mandalay and Sagaing divisions of Myanmar following participatory approach under<br />
ACIAR-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> collaborative project in Myanmar. Seed production of selected legume varieties in<br />
the concept of ‘village seed systems’ was established for the first time in Myanmar. In groundnut<br />
Sinpadatha 7 and 8; pigeonpea ICPL 96061 and Monywashwedinga and chickpea Yezin-4 and Yezin-8<br />
seed production was established in Laezin, Kyathaeaye, Sar-tine-kan and Shauk-kone villages covering<br />
2 ha each. A total of 3 tons of pigeonpea seed was produced under village seed banks and distributed to<br />
315
farmers to cover about 300 ha under these selected varieties in <strong>2010</strong>-11 season. Similarly 4 tons of<br />
chickpea variety Yezin-8 in Sagaing and Yezin-4 were produced in Mandalay division. Twenty nine<br />
tons of groundnut preferred varieties, Sinpadtha-7 and Sinpadtha-8 were produced in these three<br />
divisions.<br />
GV Ranga Rao, SN Nigam, KB Saxena and NARS partners<br />
Milestone: Insect pest and disease diagnostic tools and pest population dynamics models in relation to<br />
climatic changes developed 2011<br />
Rationale<br />
One of the problems in addressing pest management is inadequate knowledge about the factors<br />
influencing pest population dynamics. To understand pest dynamics several researchers collect pest<br />
surveillance data and related agricultural operations and other weather parameters. Correlations<br />
between some of these factors and pest incidence based on statistical models have been developed.<br />
However, a functionally viable model for pest forecast is still needed by farmers for efficient and<br />
effective pest management.<br />
Materials and Method<br />
Pest surveillance data collected at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> on key pests of chickpea, pigeonpea and groundnut crops<br />
was correlated with daily weather in the farm.<br />
Results and Discussion<br />
Pest surveillance data generated from 1991 to 2008 at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> on key pests of groundnut, chickpea<br />
and pigeonpea crops has been summarized according to standard week for detailed analysis. The data<br />
will be subjected to climate variability over years in order to make appropriate conclusions about the<br />
influence of climate variability on insect pest populations. The data need to be looked critically in<br />
collaboration with agro-climatologist to draw appropriate conclusions. This would be the prime activity<br />
for the coming years.<br />
GV Ranga Rao<br />
316
MTP Project 7:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Reducing Rural Poverty through Agricultural Diversification and Emerging<br />
Opportunities for High-Value Commodities and Products<br />
SP Wani<br />
Output 7.1: African Market Garden technology strategy and knowledge database, developed, tested and<br />
promulgated with associated capacity development regionally in the SAT of the Sahel in collaboration with<br />
AVRDC and ICRAF and assessed in comparison with existing and new potential dryland alternatives<br />
Activity 7.1.1. Comparison between four water delivery methods for irrigation in Niger<br />
For market gardening in Africa, four common approaches for water lifting to irrigate viz. hand<br />
lifting, treadle pumps, motor pumps and solar pumps were assessed. The water lifting technologies<br />
were supposed to lift water from a depth of 5 m to irrigate a hectare in Niger over a period of 200<br />
days/year.<br />
The annual amortization of the solar pumping system is lower than lifting water by hand, or using motor pumps<br />
(Table 1). The treadle pump is the most economic alternative at current cost levels but it is not sustainable in<br />
West Africa due to frequent breakdowns that are not repaired. The costs of solar pumping systems are expected<br />
to decrease even more. At a cost of 2800 US$ for the solar pumping system it becomes more economic than the<br />
treadle pump (at labor cost of 2 US$ per day).<br />
Table 1. Economic comparison of different water supply alternatives used in Niger for irrigation at two<br />
labor costs: US$2 and 1 US$ per man day<br />
Hand lifting Treadle pump Motor pump Solar pump<br />
apptechdesign.org/<br />
qty<br />
unit<br />
cost total amortz qty<br />
unit<br />
cost total amortz qty<br />
unit<br />
cost total amortz qty<br />
unit<br />
cost total amortz<br />
$ $ $/year $ $ $/year $ $ $/year $ $ $/year<br />
Equipment 3 10 30 15 1 70 70 18 1 400 400 80 1 3,800 3,800 380<br />
Well 3 30 90 23 1 100 100 10 1 200 200 20 1 200 200 20<br />
Water distr. network 0 0 1 75 75 8 1 100 100 10 1 100 100 10<br />
Maintenance 3 11 40 10<br />
Fuel 0 0 480 0<br />
Labor@2 $/manday 556 2 1,111 139 2 278 20 5<br />
Labor@1 $/manday 556 1 556 139 1 139 10 3<br />
Total 1,152 324 660 428<br />
@Labor 2$/day<br />
Total 596 185 640 423<br />
@Labor 1$/day<br />
General assumptions<br />
Water need: 80 m 3 /day/hectare for 200 days/year equals 4,000 m 3 /year<br />
Site characteristics: assume >40 m 3 /hr well recharge, water table at 5m depth<br />
Well types: Hand dug well at 30US$ lifetime 4 years; Washboard well 50 US$; Tube well at 200 US$ lifetime 10 years<br />
Water distribution network: Underground pvc pipe system from pump to multiple field outlets used to irrigate 800 m 2 area<br />
Hand Lifting: at 5m depth Q= 0.25 L/s= 7.2 m 3 /day/person. Hand dug well. Require 3 water lifting points.<br />
Treadle pump: Q= 1 L/s= 28.8 m 3 /day/person. Washboard well. Requires 1 water lifting point.<br />
Motor pump: 3 hp uses 0.12 Liter of fuel to move 1m 3 water. Fuel cost 1 US$/liter. Tube well. Labor 1h/day<br />
Solar pump: Tubewell. Installation cost 3800US$ incl import, transport and installation. Labor 0.25h/day<br />
Lifetime Hand lifting 2, Treadle pump 4, Motor pump 5 and Solar pump 10 years<br />
1 US$= 500 CFA<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
317<br />
L Woltering and D Pasternak
Activity 7.1.2. Low head drip irrigation for farmers in Niger: a technical evaluation<br />
Various companies, notably Chapin of the US that produces thin drip tapes with inserted drip emitters and the<br />
US NGO called IDE (International Development Enterprise) that use micro-tubes to replace drip emitters are<br />
advocating “affordable” small scale drip systems. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> on the other hand promotes highest quality drip line<br />
to guarantee long term sustainability and water distribution reliability. These are produced by the Naandan-Jain<br />
company. A comparison of the hydraulic performance of the three systems was carried out. Drip laterals of the<br />
three types were connected to 200 litres water barrel with adjustable height to give a range of water pressures.<br />
Drip discharge was measured for each of the three options at 0.3 m intervals. Lateral length was increased<br />
stepwise every 5 meters after a set of measurements were taken.<br />
Drip discharge for the 3 systems at four rates of water pressure and at various lateral length are Given in Figure<br />
1. The hydraulic performance of the IDE system was totally unsatisfactory. The very high drip discharge<br />
actually negates the main advantages of low pressure drip that is a relatively low rate of discharge. High rates of<br />
discharge results in leaching of soluble nutrients below the root level. Furthermore the drip discharge of the IDE<br />
system varied considerable with distance from the water source undermining a very important principle of drip<br />
irrigation that is water distribution uniformity. The hydraulic performance of both the Chapin and the Naandan<br />
Jain systems was very satisfactory. The Chapin system however is based on thin walled tubes that disintegrate<br />
within two years of installation whereas the Naandan Jain system has a life span of more than 10 years.<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
(a) H=2m<br />
Jain<br />
Dtape<br />
IDE<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
(b) H=1.5m<br />
Jain<br />
Dtape<br />
IDE<br />
q (L/hr)<br />
3<br />
2<br />
q (L/hr)<br />
3<br />
2<br />
1<br />
1<br />
0<br />
5 10 15 20 25 30<br />
Lateral Length (m)<br />
0<br />
5 10 15 20 25 30<br />
Lateral Length (m)<br />
(c) H=1m<br />
(d) H=0.5m<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
Jain<br />
Dtape<br />
IDE<br />
6<br />
5<br />
4<br />
Jain<br />
D Tape<br />
IDE<br />
q (L/hr)<br />
3<br />
2<br />
q (L/hr)<br />
3<br />
2<br />
1<br />
1<br />
0<br />
5 10 15 20 25 30<br />
Lateral Length (m)<br />
0<br />
5 10 15 20<br />
Lateral Length (m)<br />
Figure 1. Water discharge from three drip systems as a function of distance from the water source and<br />
water pressure<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
L Woltering, Ibrahim Ali and D Pasternak<br />
318
Activity 7.1.3. The economic performance of the AMG compared with farmers’ practice (FM) and<br />
improved management (IM)<br />
Low-pressure drip irrigation is promoted in Sub Saharan Africa as an alternative to traditional methods of small<br />
scale irrigation of vegetables. The African Market Garden (AMG) is a horticultural production system for small<br />
holders based on low-pressure drip irrigation combined with an improved crop management package. An<br />
experiment was conducted on-station in Niger on three adjacent 500 m 2 plots in a sandy acid soil. Crop<br />
productivity was greatly improved when traditional practices were substituted by improved management<br />
practices. The AMG gave the highest crop yields for okra and eggplant. The AMG gave in all cases higher<br />
returns to investment than the treatments irrigated with watering cans. Labor accounts for up to 45% of the<br />
production cost in vegetable gardens irrigated by hand, where 75% of the producer time is spent on irrigation.<br />
The total labor requirement for the drip irrigated AMG was on an average 1.4 person hours per day against 5.3<br />
person hours per day for the farmer practice on a 500 m² garden. Return to labor is at least double for the AMG<br />
against the other treatments. The returns to land from eggplant were found to be US$ 1.7, 0.8 and 0.1 per m 2 for<br />
the AMG, IM and FP respectively. The return to water is around US$ 2 per cubic meter. In the FP, returns to<br />
water are marginal for okra and eggplant.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
L Woltering, D Pasternak and Ibrahim Ali<br />
Activity 7.1.4. Trainings on micro irrigation, improved vegetable and seed production<br />
Research has demonstrated that by improving the management of vegetables crops even while using the<br />
watering-can technology one can double vegetables yields. In an effort for scaling up, training in IM was<br />
imparted to a total of 3,200 producers by the end of <strong>2010</strong> which later on was followed up for project technicians.<br />
A high level course on low and high pressure drip irrigation was given to engineers from 4 countries in West<br />
Africa.<br />
Following 9 years of research and development the AMG is now ready for up-scaling. Indeed during the coming<br />
two years we are expecting to see the installation of about 450 hectares of AMG in Senegal, Benin and Niger.<br />
This should directly affect the livelihood of about 70,000 people. The AMG is now being disseminated in many<br />
Sahelian countries without the intervention of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
Table 2. Training events on Vegetables production management and on drip irrigation during <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Training Courses<br />
Event, Topic, Date/Scientist<br />
March<br />
Septem<br />
ber<br />
Regional training on drip<br />
irrigation<br />
D Pasternak/L Woltering<br />
Training on onion seeds<br />
production<br />
S Kumar, I Houseini, D<br />
Pasternak<br />
Venue Participant Participating<br />
centers/Institutes<br />
ISC 25 ADESCA, IAMGOLD<br />
IER/CRRA, IER, PCD<br />
Direction Nationale de<br />
l’Agriculture, Mali,<br />
ACH, MANOMA SA,<br />
Mission Internationale<br />
la Vie, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
ISC 12 SNV, FRUPOAM<br />
Resources &<br />
Collaborative<br />
Support<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>,<br />
IPALAC<br />
Farmers training on improved<br />
vegetables production.<br />
Dov Pasternak/<br />
Navid/technicians<br />
Farmers training on improved<br />
vegetables production.<br />
Dov Pasternak/<br />
Navid/technicians<br />
Field<br />
training<br />
Field<br />
training<br />
1,600 ARZIKI, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> USAID through<br />
CLUSA<br />
1,600 ARZIKI, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> USAID through<br />
CLUSA<br />
D Pasternak, L Woltering, S Kumar, Houseini, Navid and technicians<br />
319
Activity 7.1.5. The Sahelian Eco-Farm (SEF)<br />
The Objective of the SEF was to develop a rainfed production system with higher profitability than the existing<br />
cereal-legume production systems. Two models were tested over a period of seven years,<br />
Model 1- This model is based on planting of Pomme du Sahel trees in demilunes connected by soil trenches. The<br />
trees are intercropped with cowpeas and with watermelons.<br />
Model 2 - This model is based on hedges of Acacia colei spaced at 20X4 m interval. The trees are intercropped with<br />
millet, cowpeas and Roselle on a rotation basis. An economic analysis of the two models was carried out using data<br />
collected over a period of 5 years.<br />
The net present value of model 2 was similar that of the traditional grain/legume system of the Sahel. However<br />
income in model 1 was significantly higher than income from a traditional system.<br />
Figure 2. Net present values over different time horizons<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Sahel region<br />
D Pasternak<br />
Activity 7.1.6. Vegetables research<br />
Most vegetable varieties used in the Sahel are imported from Europe. Most are not adapted to the local climate, soils<br />
and cultivation methods. Over a period of 9 years, <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, later joined by AVRDC has been selecting, purifying<br />
and breeding new vegetable varieties for the Sahel with an objective of replacing/stopping import of seeds from<br />
Europe.<br />
Table 3 gives the names and traits of 14 varieties/lines selected, purified and bred by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/AVRDC. These<br />
varieties are being disseminated by small vegetables seeds producers trained by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/AVRDC while foundation<br />
seeds are being produced at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Niger.<br />
320
Table 3. Vegetable varieties selected and improved by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>/AVRDC<br />
Species Varieties Origin Traits Popularity<br />
Tomatoes<br />
Lettuce<br />
Okra<br />
Melons<br />
Cucumbers<br />
Hot Pepper<br />
Sweet<br />
Pepper<br />
Sweet Corn<br />
Carrots<br />
Watermelons<br />
Moringa<br />
Onions<br />
Icrixina Xina variety Rainy season variety, very<br />
high yields<br />
Sadore<br />
Hazera<br />
germplasm<br />
Maya Dr. Dov<br />
Globerson<br />
Konni Selection from<br />
local land race<br />
Very firm fruit, long shelf<br />
life, very high quality<br />
Bolting tolerant, year round,<br />
high yield, high quality<br />
Very early, short bush, high<br />
yielding, good quality<br />
Ein Dor Israel Very heat tolerant, very<br />
tasty, high yield<br />
Bet Alpha Israel High yield, heat tolerant,<br />
tasty, short shelf life<br />
Safi Senegal Very high yields, long<br />
production season, very<br />
Diffa Selection from<br />
local land race<br />
pungent<br />
Lamuyo type, tolerant to<br />
poor growing conditions,<br />
used for drying<br />
Main rainy season tomato<br />
in Niger<br />
To be released in 2011<br />
Spreading fast in Niger<br />
Spreading fast in Niger,<br />
good for rain-fed<br />
production<br />
Spreading fast in Niger<br />
Spreading fast in Niger<br />
Spreading<br />
Fast in Niger<br />
Released in <strong>2010</strong><br />
True Gold USA High yield, heat tolerant Gaining in popularity for<br />
rainy season<br />
Uberlandia Brazil Produces seeds in the Sahel To be released in 2011,<br />
Malali Israel Very tasty, high yield, Limited spread<br />
drought tolerant<br />
PKM 1 Selection from Very high yield, vary tasty Spreading very fast in<br />
Two lines of<br />
Violet de Galmi<br />
Indian variety<br />
Selection from<br />
among 50 lines<br />
Line 28 with long storage<br />
life, line 13 with high yields<br />
Niger<br />
To be released in 2011<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
S Kumar and D Pasternak<br />
Activity 7.1.7. Fruit trees research- Dissemination of Pomme du Sahel<br />
Pomme du Sahel is the name given by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> to the domesticated Ziziphus mauritiana called Ber in India.<br />
Dissemination of Pomme du Sahel through the production of grafted trees at the nursery level and second through<br />
grafting of mature wild Ziziphus trees with Pomme du Sahel scions is evaluated. The latter technology is preferable<br />
because there is no need to care for young plants until they bear fruit four years late. Grafted mature wild Ziziphus<br />
give fruit six months after grafting. The income from a mature grafted tree is $20/year. Pomme du Sahel has spread<br />
very fast in Niger. Hundreds of thousands trees were planted with a period of seven years and its fruit is now sold in<br />
all major markets of Niger<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger<br />
321
Activity 7.1.8. Research on Gum Arabic production with Acacia senegal<br />
Acacia senegal a drought tolerant and commonly planted in many countries on degraded lands produces the gum<br />
arabic, which is an international trade product. Experiment on tapping intensity was conducted in a plantation<br />
established in 1993 and data on gum yield collected over five years from 2004 to 2008 on 123 trees. A repeated<br />
measurement analysis was used compare individual trees based on gum yield.<br />
Gum yield is very variable among trees during the same year and between years. The highest average gum yield<br />
recorded over the five years is 814 g. Grouping of trees in yield classes indicates that over a period of five years<br />
18% of the trees produced 500 to 899 g gum yr -1 tree -1 . Two percent of the trees did not produce any gum, while<br />
27% of the trees produced
especially where technical backstopping is provided. Respondents in both locations regard the education of their<br />
children as a priority concern.<br />
It is not surprising for women-respondents to have significant role in agricultural activities while attending to their<br />
domestic role. Planting, weeding, spraying, and harvesting are operations regarded as extremely difficult in<br />
Kothapally while land preparation, planting and harvesting in Urella.<br />
Most were aware of the check dams (51%), vermicomposting (49%) and the provision of seeds and planting<br />
materials (34%). However, in terms of the importance of these to their immediate households and community,<br />
responses varied. For instance, more than one half of those who were aware of the check dams regarded this as ‘not<br />
important’ directly for their household but ‘extremely important’ for the community. The over-all assessment<br />
whether the interventions had contributed in elevating women-respondents’ quality of life revealed viewpoints of<br />
positive impact (51%) where agricultural productivity improved to a large extent (31%). Mean income of womenrespondents<br />
from primary source was significant at 10% level of significance among those with ages of
Table 4. Effect of tillage and crop residue additions on maize yield in two cropping systems during Kharif<br />
<strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Crop residue<br />
Maize - Chickpea Maize/pigeonpea<br />
(t ha -1 )<br />
Minimum tillage Residues added 5.6 6.1<br />
No residues added 6.8 5.3<br />
Mean 6.2 5.7<br />
Normal tillage Residues added 6.2 5.1<br />
No residues added 6.2 5.7<br />
Mean 6.2 5.4<br />
Mean - residue added 5.9 5.6<br />
Mean - no residue added 6.5 5.5<br />
LSD ( 5%) for tillage = 0.46 t ha -1 , residue = 0.46 t ha -1 , Cropping systems = 0.34 t ha -1 , Tiilage x residue<br />
= 0.66 t ha -1 and tillage, residue x cropping systems = 0.81 t ha -1<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
CRIDA<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Sehgal Foundation and Ministry of Agriculture, GOI<br />
Piara Singh, SP Wani, P Pathak, Ram A Jat, Girish Chander,<br />
L Mohan Reddy, Kiara Winans and Uttam Kumar<br />
Activity 7.2.3. Enhance water use efficiency (WUE) of supplemental irrigation in the rainfed production<br />
systems.<br />
Water scarcity and low water productivity of production systems are the major problems limiting crop<br />
production in rainfed systems. A long-term experiment was initiated in BW 5 watershed at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>,<br />
Patancheru to enhance the water use efficiency of rainfall and supplemental irrigation of cropping systems with<br />
adoption of appropriate land, crop and water management practices on the Vertisols. The BW5 watershed<br />
experiment comprise of two land forms (flat and BBF), two methods of irrigation (flood and drip) and two levels<br />
of crop management (farmers’ level of soil fertility and optimum level of soil fertility management). The<br />
cropping system being evaluated is maize (rainy season)-chickpea (post-rainy season)-vegetables (summer<br />
season).<br />
During 2009, landforms did not affect yield of maize and chickpea. Improved soil fertility increased yield of<br />
maize by 20% and of chickpea by 12% (Table 5). Land management x fertility management interaction for<br />
chickpea yield was significant. During summer season of <strong>2010</strong>, drip irrigation increased the yield of okra by<br />
36% and BBF system by 17% over the flat landform. Drip irrigation was more effective on BBF than on flat<br />
landform and increased the yield by 32%. There was no difference between BBF and flat under flood irrigation.<br />
Farmers’ practice of soil fertility management (application of FYM) gave about 14% higher okra yield than the<br />
improved practice (balanced nutrition with chemical fertilizers). During <strong>2010</strong> (high rainfall year), BBF increased<br />
the yield of maize by 26% over the flat landform. Improved soil fertility management increased the maize yield<br />
by 9%. Maize yields were 42% higher in plots where drip irrigation was given in the summer season to okra.<br />
These results indicate that BBF system, improved soil fertility management and summer cropping are<br />
contributing towards increasing water use and water use efficiency. These results showed that BBF system along<br />
with integrated nutrient management and drip irrigation enhanced the productivity and water use efficiency of<br />
the production systems being evaluated. These results are to be further confirmed in the following seasons.<br />
324
Table 5. Yield of crops in BW5 watershed during 2009-10 and <strong>2010</strong>-11 cropping seasons.<br />
Maize<br />
yield<br />
(t ha -1 )<br />
Chickpea<br />
(t ha -1 )<br />
Season : 2009-10<br />
Maize + chickpea<br />
MEY<br />
(t ha -1 )<br />
Okra<br />
yield<br />
(t ha -1 )<br />
Season : <strong>2010</strong>-<br />
11<br />
Maize yield<br />
(t ha -1 )<br />
Irrigation Land Mgmt<br />
Improved management<br />
Drip BBF 4.5 1.4 7.9 2.2 5.2<br />
Flat 5.0 1.5 8.6 1.8 3.6<br />
Flood BBF 4.3 1.2 7.2 1.4 3.1<br />
Flat 4.3 1.3 7.5 1.5 3.5<br />
Mean 4.5 1.4 7.8 1.7 3.8<br />
Framers management<br />
Drip BBF 4.1 1.3 7.3 2.6 5.6<br />
Flat 4.2 1.2 7.1 1.8 3.0<br />
Flood BBF 3.8 1.2 6.7 1.7 2.7<br />
Flat 2.9 1.2 5.8 1.6 3.0<br />
Mean 3.8 1.2 6.7 1.9 3.5<br />
LSD (0.05) 1.79 0.25 1.77 0.60 1.91<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Sustainable Agriculture Initiative<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Jain Irrigation, Jalgaon, India<br />
Piara Singh, S P Wani, P Pathak, Gajanan L Sawargaonkar,<br />
Girish Chander and L Mohan Reddy<br />
Activity 7.2.4. Assessing long-term impacts of SWNM options on crop productivity for sustainable<br />
management of Vertic Inceptisols watersheds.<br />
Vertic Inceptisols occupy about 72 million hectares of land in India. Land degradation, waterlogging, runoff and soil<br />
erosion, nutrient mining are the major constraints limiting the productivity of the soybean-based production systems<br />
to 1.0 t ha -1 . Since 2004-05, two cropping systems (soybean/pigeonpea intercrop and maize-chickpea sequential<br />
systems) are being evaluated with improved (BBF + crop residues +20 kg P ha -1 ) and traditional (sowing on flat +<br />
20 kg P ha -1 ) management. Overall, with improved management, the yields of soybean/ pigeonpea intercrop systems<br />
increased by 7-15% and that of maize-chickpea sequential system by 6-23%, indicating that the benefits of improved<br />
management are more for the non-legume system. Also the yield benefits were on the shallow soil than on the<br />
medium-deep soil. During 2009-10 (drought year), the soybean crop failed, whereas the maize and safflower grain<br />
yields averaged 1420 kg ha -1 and 820 kg ha -1 , respectively. Improved management gave 5 to 10% increase in system<br />
productivity over the traditional management. These studies have shown that the productivity of soybean and maizebased<br />
systems can be at least doubled with efficient use of resources on these soils.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
CRIDA<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Sehgal Foundation<br />
Piara Singh, S P Wani, P Pathak, L Mohan Reddy and KL Sahrawat<br />
325
Activity 7.2.5. Benefits and tradeoffs of agricultural water interventions at the watershed and catchment scale<br />
This study analyzed the impact of in-situ and ex-situ agricultural water management on water resources availability,<br />
soil loss and crop yields at upstream location and consequent impacts on downstream locations. The impacts of<br />
various soil and water management interventions in the watershed were compared to non-intervention state during a<br />
30-year simulation period by application of the calibrated and validated ARCSWAT 2005 modelling tool.<br />
Methodology is first tested at Kothapally watershed (3 km 2 ) and same approach is implemented for Osman Sagar<br />
catchment area (736 km 2 ).<br />
Watershed management programmes including in-situ water harvesting and ex-situ harvesting in check-dams<br />
significantly changed water resources availability in watersheds. Check-dams helped in storing water for<br />
groundwater recharge, which can be used for irrigation, as well for minimizing soil loss. In-situ water management<br />
practices improved infiltration capacity and water holding capacity of the soil, which resulted in increased water<br />
availability and better crop yields. Water outflows from the developed watershed was more than halved as compared<br />
to no-intervention stage, indicating portion of runoff retention in the watershed, reduced soil loss, reducing potential<br />
threat of flooding downstream areas while upgrading rain-fed agriculture, improving productivity and livelihood of<br />
farmers in upland areas and also addressing the issues of poverty, equity and gender in watersheds. Watershed<br />
interventions in agriculture in the forms of in-situ and ex-situ water harvesting systems are important for<br />
strengthening the resilience to drought in tropical agriculture in uplands which are the hot spots of poverty, water<br />
scarcity and land degradation. Reduced water flows to the downstream areas could be affected with large scale<br />
development of watersheds in the upstream areas. There is need to study the tradeoffs between the goal of poverty<br />
reduction in upland areas and water flows for downstream areas further.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm, Sweden<br />
KK. Garg and SP Wani<br />
Activity 7.2.6. Biological nitrification inhibition in sorghum rhizosphere soil<br />
Sorghum (including sweet sorghum) has the ability to release chemical substances from their roots that can suppress<br />
the nitrifer activity and soil nitrification, and this phenomenon is termed as biological nitrification inhibition (BNI).<br />
We need to obtain evidence of the existence of BNI function under field conditions and clarify how soil properties<br />
affect the BNI.<br />
Sorghum cultivars (PVK801, NTJ-2, CSH-16, HTJH3201 and CSH22SS) were cultivated in the kharif season in<br />
three experimental fields with different soils (2 Alfisols and 1 Vertisols). Soil around the roots was collected<br />
periodically and nitrification activities in the soil samples were measured by a soil incubation method.<br />
The nitrification activity in the rhizosphere soil of NTJ 2 was significantly lower than the bare soil (+N) in Alfisol 1<br />
at 3rd sampling (Table 6). The nitrification activity in the rhizosphere soil of CSH22SS was significantly lower than<br />
the bare soil (+N) in Alfisol 2 at 3rd sampling. Although the nitrification activities in the other samples were not<br />
significantly different, the nitrification activities in the rhizosphere soils of the 4 grain sorghums and 1 sweet<br />
sorghum were tended to be lower than those in the bare soil (–N and +N) in Alfisols 1 and 2 at 3rd sampling. The<br />
nitrification activities were not significantly different among the samples in Alfisols 1 and 2 at 1st and 2nd<br />
samplings. In Vertisol 1, the nitrification activities were not significantly different among the samples for all the 3<br />
samplings. The nitrification activity and soil pH (H 2 O) showed positive correlation (P
Table 6. Nitrification activities of the soil samples (unit: mg N/ kg dry soil/ day)<br />
Alfisol 1 Alfisol 2 Vertisol 1<br />
Initial 1st § 2nd § 3rd Initial 1st § 2nd § 3rd Initial 1st § 2nd § 3rd §<br />
Bare soil − N 5.5 9.3 6.9 6.1ab 5.1 9.6 8.5 6.3abc 13.1 10.9 0.8 10.4<br />
+ N 8.8 6.1 6.6a 9.6 8.2 6.6ab 18.7 9.0 12.0<br />
CSH22SS 10.6 8.1 3.7ab 10.3 6.8 2.7c<br />
29.6 5.5 11.5<br />
CSH16 9.3 7.4 4.3ab 12.2 7.8 4.3bc 19.1 3.9 13.4<br />
Soil<br />
PVK801 11.6 7.9 4.5ab 14.8 10.8 6.2abc 18.5 0.4 10.8<br />
around<br />
NTJ2 8.6 7.1 3.3b<br />
9.7 9.6 4.2bc 14.0 4.7 13.2<br />
the roots<br />
HTJH3201 9.0 8.6 5.0ab 13.1 9.6 4.8abc 18.9 5.2 11.5<br />
86M64 10.4 6.8 5.9ab no-data 9.2 8.2a 24.1 5.5 11.1<br />
CSH22SS 10.4 8.2 5.4ab 10.4 7.7 5.8abc 18.6 1.3 10.7<br />
CSH16 10.4 8.0 4.5ab 11.4 8.8 6.3abc 30.9 3.6 11.1<br />
PVK801 13.1 9.1 5.5ab 10.2 8.8 6.5ab 19.7 4.0 11.5<br />
Bulk soil<br />
NTJ2 10.8 7.8 4.9ab 9.6 10.7 6.9ab 22.8 10.5 13.2<br />
HTJH3201 11.5 8.9 5.6ab 10.4 9.5 5.1abc 26.5 5.9 9.4<br />
86M64 11.1 9.0 5.7ab no-data 10.0 7.3ab 12.6 2.9 12.3<br />
:V alues in a colum n follow ed by he sam e letter are not significantly different using a Tukey's m ultiple com parison<br />
(P
Figure. 4. Nitrous oxide emissions from alfisols cultivated with sweet sorghum. The vertical bars show the<br />
range of flux in triplicate measurements.<br />
High N 2 O emissions were noticed after the application of nitrogen fertilizer for two weeks. The emissions of N 2 O<br />
after the application of nitrogen fertilizer suggests that nitrification of the applied nitrogen fertilizer had taken place.<br />
Based on this preliminary result alone it is difficult to conclude that there is no BNI activity in sweet sorghum.<br />
Factors such as soil pH, temperature, physiological stage etc., may be influencing BNI activity and which needs to<br />
be looked upon.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
K Ramu, T Watanabe, H Uchino,<br />
SP Wani, O Ito and KL Sahrawat<br />
Activity 7.2.8. Monitoring occurrence of various pesticide residues in high value crops and ecosystem.<br />
High value crops cover only in 10% of the area, but consume more than 75% of the total pesticides. This<br />
injudicious use created the problem of residues in food chain. The information on the occurrence of the toxic<br />
residues in various natural resources (soil and water) and crops is of high value to develop management<br />
strategies.<br />
To address the above issue an on-farm study was taken up leading to Ph.D program under ANGRAU. Among the<br />
food crops and cotton analyzed for presence of insecticide residues (monocrotophos, chlorpyriphos, alpha<br />
endosulfan, beta endosulfan and cypermethrin), one rice grain sample out of 5 samples collected from Kothapally<br />
(IPM village) was contaminated and among the soil samples, residues were detected from maize and rice fields<br />
of Enkepally (Non-contact village).<br />
Out of the total 45 tomato fruit samples from Kothapally analyzed for insecticide residues over a period of five<br />
seasons (2008-10), 11 samples (24%) were found to contain residues. In Enkepally village, the residues were<br />
observed in 50% of samples (15 out of 30 samples) during this period. However, none of the samples from<br />
Kothapally and 7% of contaminated samples from Enkepally had residues above MRLs.<br />
Among the 40 brinjal samples analyzed, 17 (17%) samples from Kothapally and 29 (73%) samples from the<br />
Enkepally contained insecticide residues. The overall residue levels in brinjal during the study period indicated<br />
7% of samples in Enkepally above MRLs.<br />
None of the water samples collected from Kothapally (food crops, cotton and vegetable crops) was contaminated<br />
with residues.<br />
328
The adoption of IPM in Kothapally for a decade resulted in rectifying their contaminated soils and water from<br />
pesticides. All the water from open and bore wells and soil samples from various fields were found free from<br />
pesticide residues.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
ANGRAU<br />
G V Ranga Rao, K L Sahrawat and Suhas P Wani<br />
Activity 7.2.9. Balanced nutrient management involving sulphur, boron and zinc evaluated and developed<br />
The emerging widespread deficiencies of S, B and Zn in the rainfed SAT are apparently holding back the realization<br />
of existing productivity potential and resulting inefficient utilization of existing available water resources leading to<br />
low rain water use efficiency (RWUE). Present scenario so demands attention to evaluate and develop fertilization<br />
practice involving S, B and Zn to boost productivity and crops ability to enhanced productive transpiration. Keeping<br />
this in view, a long term experiment was started since 2007 to evaluate the frequency (Once in a year, once in 2<br />
years, once in 3 years) and dose (Full and 50%) of S, B and Zn with soybean-sorghum and maize-chickpea cropping<br />
systems. The effects of different practices were recorded on soybean and maize productivity during rainy season<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Full dose of S + B + Zn comprised 200 kg gypsum (30 kg S) + 5 kg borax (0.5 kg B) + 50 kg ZnSO 4 (10 kg<br />
Zn). The secondary and micronutrients were applied to rainy season crop as per the treatment.<br />
The findings of the study proved without doubt the role of S, B and Zn application in crop productivity improvement<br />
in soybean and maize crops. The applied S, B and Zn increased soybean grain productivity over the only application<br />
of recommended N and P by 24-37% in application once in a year, 18-24% in application once in 2 years and 7% in<br />
application once in 3 years. The maximum grain and straw productivity was observed with 50% SBZn applied every<br />
year which seems the best S, B and Zn application strategy. Regular annual additions of lower dose of limiting<br />
secondary and micronutrients regulated optimum nutrition for realizing best productivity. As regards application of<br />
SBZn once in 2 or 3 years, the full dose recorded the best productivity. The next best alternative of SBZn<br />
application, from productivity and % increase over only NP application, seems their application once in 2 years<br />
rather than once in 3 years. The SBZn application once in 2 years recorded 24% increase over only NP while SBZN<br />
application once in 3 years recorded only 7% increase over only NP application. Similar results were recorded in<br />
maize crop.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Girish Chander, Suhas P Wani and KL Sahrawat<br />
Activity 7.2.10. Integrated nutrient management (INM) involving deoiled Jatropha cake evaluated and developed<br />
In context of present scenario, biofuel is considered as a strategy to mitigate the impacts of global warming driven<br />
climate change through carbon sequestration. Jatropha as a biofuel plant is a good candidate as it is drought tolerant,<br />
its seeds have > 30% oil, the plants are not browsed by cattle and goats, and hence recommended for the<br />
rehabilitation of open degraded lands. The by-product deoiled cake (after oil extraction) being non-edible, but rich in<br />
nutrients finds its use in INM options for crop production. Therefore studies were conducted during rainy season<br />
<strong>2010</strong> with soybean and maize crops to evaluate the deoiled cake as a source of nutrients on basis of replacing 50 or<br />
100% of basal N requirement. The other recommended nutrients were also adjusted taking into account the addition<br />
through the cake. The recommended N:P 2 O 5 :K 2 O for maize were 120:60:40 kg ha -1 and for soybean 30:60:40 kg ha -<br />
1 . Fifty per cent of recommended N in maize and full recommended N in soybean was added as basal application.<br />
The results clearly documented the benefits in integrated nutrient management involving chemical fertilizers and<br />
organic deoiled Jatropha cake. In soybean crop, addition of cake on basis of replacing 50% of basal N through cake<br />
proved the best practice. Probably this practice fits well in meeting the twin objectives of meeting N requirement in<br />
soybean in initial stages in immediately available form and increasing fertilizer use efficiency due to use of organics.<br />
The addition of 50% of basal N through cake in soybean recorded 27% increase in grain yield over sole use of<br />
329
chemical fertilizers. On the contrary, in maize crop, replacing whole of the basal N requirement through Jatropha<br />
cake proved the best practice. Replacement of basal N through cake recorded an increase in grain yield by 8% over<br />
basal N through sole use of chemical fertilizers.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
IFAD and D1 plantation<br />
Girish Chander, Suhas P Wani, KL Sahrawat<br />
Activity 7.2.11. Farmer participatory evaluation of site specific nutrient management (SSNM) involving<br />
secondary and micronutrients in Andhra Pradesh<br />
Site specific nutrient management involves the most efficient use of nutrient inputs in bringing in the best possible<br />
economic productivity improvement. Therefore, during rainy season <strong>2010</strong>, the trials were conducted with farmers<br />
who were issued soil health cards in 8 target districts. The fertilizer recommendations were adjusted as per the soil<br />
analysis results of the selected farmers’ fields.<br />
The site specific nutrient management increased ground nut pod yield by 25%, greengram yield by 14%, cotton<br />
yield by 41% and sorghum yield by 22% over the farmers practice indicating the superiority and rationale of<br />
adopting SSNM (Table 7).<br />
Table 7. Effect of SSNM on crop yields in rainfed districts of Andhra Pradesh, India rainy season, <strong>2010</strong><br />
Pod/Grain Yield (kg/ha)<br />
District<br />
Crop<br />
FP<br />
BN<br />
% Increase<br />
Nalgonda Groundnut 1404 1749 25<br />
Rangareddy Greengram 1467 1673 14<br />
Warangal Cotton 1729 2432 41<br />
Adilabad Sorghum 2273 2773 22<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
CRIDA, KVK (Adilabad, Nalgonda), WASSAN, MARI, BIRD, CWS, AAKRUTI<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
NAIP, ICAR<br />
Suhas P Wani, Girish Chander and KL Sahrawat<br />
Activity 7.2.12. Farmer participatory soil test based nutrient management evaluated and demonstrated<br />
A range of trials were conducted in rainfed semi arid regions of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states in India<br />
(Table 8). The focus was to demonstrate and evaluate the nutrient management strategies – balanced nutrition (BN)<br />
including deficient secondary and micro nutrients; Integrated nutrient management (INM) involving secondary and<br />
micro nutrients plus vermicompost; Residual effects of secondary and micronutrients; BN in rainy fallows with<br />
common land form management; effect of slow release B fertilizer-Boromag. In addition the best bet practice (BN<br />
plus improved cultivar) was scaled up in farmers fields. Two land form management technologies were evaluated<br />
for double cropping in rainy fallow regions.<br />
330
Table 8. Detail of participatory nutrient management trials demonstrated and evaluated in Madhya Pradesh<br />
and Rajasthan, India<br />
S.<br />
No.<br />
Trial type State Crops Total trials<br />
conducted<br />
Trials in<br />
which<br />
data<br />
1 Balanced nutrient management<br />
involving secondary and micro<br />
nutrients<br />
2 INM involving secondary and<br />
micro nutrients plus<br />
vermicompost<br />
3 Residual effects of secondary<br />
and micro nutrients<br />
4 Evaluation of boromag<br />
fertilizer<br />
5 Balanced nutrition in rainy<br />
fallows with common<br />
landform management<br />
6 Scaling up the best bet<br />
practices<br />
7 Landform management in<br />
rainy fallows<br />
collected<br />
M.P. Soybean, paddy, groundnut, 429 357<br />
blackgram, maize<br />
Rajasthan Maize, soybean, blackgram, 279 279<br />
pearl millet<br />
M.P. Soybean 103 81<br />
Rajasthan Maize, soybean, groundnut, 72 72<br />
pearl millet, blackgram<br />
M.P. Soybean 35 35<br />
Rajasthan Maize, groundnut, pearl millet, 29 29<br />
blackgram<br />
M.P. Soybean 15 15<br />
Rajasthan Maize, Pearl millet 23 23<br />
M.P. Soybean 124 76<br />
M.P. Soybean 772 625<br />
Rajasthan Maize, soybean, sorghum,<br />
pearl millet, groundnut,<br />
blackgram<br />
579 553<br />
M.P. Soybean 91 72<br />
Farmer participatory evaluation of balanced nutrient management involving secondary and micronutrients:<br />
The emerging widespread deficiencies of S, B and Zn in the rainfed SAT are apparently holding back the realization<br />
of existing productivity potential and resulting inefficient utilization of existing available water resources leading to<br />
low rain water use efficiency (RWUE). Depletion of the resource base is diminishing the capabilities of poor<br />
farmers to earn more and making them vulnerable to drought and other climate related disasters. In order to reverse<br />
the deteriorating state of production systems and increase their resilience, farmer participatory approach was adopted<br />
to evaluate and demonstrate the soil test based balanced nutrition in different parts of Madhya Pradesh and<br />
Rajasthan in India.<br />
The two seventy eight trials conducted with soybean in eight districts in Madhya Pradesh, revealed significant<br />
increase in grain yield by 10 to 40 per cent over farmers practice through adoption of soil test based fertilizer<br />
applications (Table 9).<br />
Similarly, seventy nine trials in Mandla district, Madhya Pradesh increased yields on an average by 41% increase in<br />
paddy, 57% in groundnut, 11% in blackgram and 85% in maize. The mean yields under balanced nutrition were<br />
2910 kg ha -1 in paddy, 1710 kg ha -1 in groundnut, 630 kg ha -1 in blackgram and 12150 kg cob ha -1 in maize.<br />
Suhas P Wani, Girish Chander, KL Sahrawat,<br />
DK Pal, TP Mathur and P Pathak<br />
Table 9. Effect of soil test based application of S, B and Zn on rainfed soybean in Madhya Pradesh, India,<br />
rainy season, <strong>2010</strong><br />
District Grain yield (kg ha -1 ) % Increase<br />
FP<br />
BN<br />
Raisen 1280 1490 16<br />
Sagar 1500 1740 16<br />
Shajapur 1990 2200 11<br />
Indore 1550 1710 10<br />
Guna 1280 1500 17<br />
331
Anandpur 1390 1530 12<br />
Vidisha 1060 1480 40<br />
Jhabua 1460 1660 14<br />
In Rajasthan, 150 trials conducted with maize in Banswara and Bhilwara districts recorded 21-24% increase due to<br />
adoption of soil test based balanced nutrition including deficient S, B and Zn. The average maize grain yield realized<br />
under balanced nutrition was 2450 kg ha -1 in Banswara and 3590 kg ha -1 in Bhilwara district. In other 75 trials<br />
involving balanced nutrition, soybean crop recorded average 1890 kg ha -1 grain yield under balanced nutrition<br />
having a 10% increase in productivity over farmers practice. Similar results were recorded for blackgram, maize,<br />
pearlmillet and groundnut crops in Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts.<br />
Farmer participatory evaluation of integrated nutrient management involving micronutrients and<br />
vermicompost: Farmer participatory trials were also conducted to evaluate, against the farmers practices and soil<br />
test based balanced nutrition, the inclusion of locally prepared vermicompost on the basis of meeting 50% of N<br />
requirement in cereals and 50% of P requirement in legumes and cutting cost on 50% of chemical fertilizers.<br />
The 30 trials with maize conducted in Bhilwara and Banswara in Rajasthan, recorded 19-23% increase with soil test<br />
based balanced nutrition including deficient S, B and Zn over farmers practice (Table 10). But, inclusion of<br />
vermicompost on the basis of meeting 50% of N requirement further increased grain yield over balanced nutrition<br />
involving sole chemical fertilizers by 2-7%. The INM involving vermicompost prepared from local materials thus<br />
not only results higher yields in contrast to pure chemical fertilizers, but also saved 50% cost on chemical fertilizers.<br />
In other trials with soybean in Jhalawar, the INM involving vermicompost on the basis of meeting 50% P, similarly<br />
recorded 12% higher grain yield over the sole use of chemical fertilizers. Similar results were observed in<br />
groundnut, pearlmillet, blackgram and maize crops in Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts.<br />
Table 10. Effect of soil test based integrated nutrient management on rainfed soybean in Rajasthan, India,<br />
rainy season <strong>2010</strong><br />
District Crop Grain yield (kg ha -1 )<br />
FP BN 50% BN+VC<br />
Banswara Maize 2850 3390 3620<br />
Bhilwara Maize 4410 5420 5520<br />
Jhalawar Soybean 1700 1810 2020<br />
Similarly, in >80 trials conducted with soybean as test crop in Raisen, Shajapur, Indore, Guna, Anandpur, Vidisha<br />
and Jhabua districts in Madhya Pradesh, the INM practice involving vermicompost, in general proved better in terms<br />
of increasing crop productivity as well as saving 50% cost on chemical fertilizers.<br />
Farmer participatory evaluation of residual effects of secondary and micronutrients: Farmer participatory<br />
trials conducted to evaluate the residual effects of S, B and Zn in Guna, Raisen, Indore, Sehore, Anandpur, Barwani<br />
and vidisha, revealed 6-37% increase in soybean grain yield over farmers practice treatment. Similar results of<br />
residuals benefits were observed with maize, groundnut, pearl millet and blackgram crops in Banswara, Bhilwara,<br />
Bundi, Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts in Rajasthan state.<br />
Farmer participatory evaluation of slow release B ferlilizer, boromag: The problem with the boron is that due to<br />
its non ionic nature it is leached fairly rapidly from the soil resulting its deficiency. The slow release B fertilizer<br />
which ensures regulated supply of the element may prove best in this context to manage the B nutrition for realizing<br />
best possible productivity. Therefore, boromag a slow release B fertilizer (12% B, 12.5% CaO and 8.9% MgO) was<br />
evaluated in 38 farmers’ fields with soybean, maize and pearl millet in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan states of<br />
India. Boromag was added at the rate of 5 kg ha -1 .<br />
The results of rainy season <strong>2010</strong> trials clearly suggested the benefit in productivity enhancement due to boromag<br />
application. The productivity increased by 5-13% in test crops with inclusion of boromag in fertilization practices in<br />
comparison to control farmers practice (Table 11).<br />
332
Table 11. Effect of boromag application on grain yield of crops in semi arid regions of India, rainy season<br />
<strong>2010</strong><br />
State<br />
Grain yield (kg ha -1 ) % Increase<br />
District<br />
Crop<br />
Control Boromag<br />
Madhya Pradesh Guna Soybean 1550 1750 13<br />
Rajasthan Bundi Maize 2810 3040 8<br />
Rajasthan Sawai Madhopur Pearl millet 1830 1920 5<br />
Balanced nutrition in rainy fallows with common landform management: In rainy fallow regions, trials were<br />
implemented on BBF landform management to evaluate the effect of balanced nutrition as against farmers practice.<br />
The soil test based balanced nutrition resulted a 3 to 15% increase in grain production over the farmers practice<br />
(Table 12). A similar increase up to 24% was observed in straw biomass. The findings clearly suggested that the<br />
landform management along with balanced nutrition is the key to bring in rainy season fallows under profitable<br />
cropping.<br />
Table 12. Effect of soil test based application of S, B and Zn (With common BBF) on rainfed soybean in rainy<br />
season fallow regions in Madhya Pradesh, India, rainy season, <strong>2010</strong><br />
District Grain yield (kg ha -1 ) % increase<br />
FP<br />
BN<br />
Raisen<br />
1310 1400 7<br />
Sagar<br />
1360 1400 3<br />
Indore<br />
1430 1590 11<br />
Sehore<br />
2410 2760 15<br />
Anandpur 1340 1480 10<br />
Scaling up of best bet practices in SAT regions of central India: The scaling up of the best bet practice (Soil test<br />
based balanced nutrition including deficient S, B and Zn plus improved cultivar) were done with 625 farmers in<br />
Guna, Raisen, Sagar, Shajapur, Indore, Sehore, Anandpur, Vidisha, Barwani and Jhabua districts in Madhya<br />
Pradesh. The best bet recorded 12-31% increase over traditional farmers practice (Table 13).<br />
Table 13. Scaling up of soil test based balanced nutrition in rainfed districts of Madhya Pradesh, India, rainy<br />
season <strong>2010</strong><br />
District Crop No. of trials Grain yield<br />
(kg ha -1 )<br />
% increase over<br />
FP<br />
Guna Soybean 62 1320 29<br />
Raisen Soybean 78 1470 29<br />
Sagar Soybean 20 1840 27<br />
Shajapur Soybean 75 2250 29<br />
Indore Soybean 150 1880 12<br />
Sehore Soybean 106 1620 30<br />
Anandpur Soybean 20 1730 20<br />
Vidisha Soybean 36 1560 31<br />
Barwani Soybean 75 2160 29<br />
Jhabua Soybean 3 1740 13<br />
In similar scaling up trials with maize crop in Banswara, Bhilwara, Jhalawar and Bundi districts in Rajasthan, the<br />
best bet recorded 10-33% increase in grain yield over farmers practice (Table 14). In trials with soybean in Bundi<br />
district, the productivity improved by 13% as compared to farmers practice. Similarly scaling up of best bet was<br />
done in Alwar, Tonk, and Sawai Madhopur districts and recorded an increase in crop production varying from 7 to<br />
56% as compared to farmers practice.<br />
333
Table 14. Scaling up of soil test based balanced nutrition in rainfed districts of Rajasthan, India, rainy season<br />
<strong>2010</strong><br />
District Crop No. of trials Grain yield<br />
(kg ha -1 )<br />
% increase over<br />
FP<br />
Banswara Maize 116 2980 19<br />
Bhilwara Maize 150 2890 19<br />
Jhalawar Maize 108 1240 10<br />
Bundi Maize 14 4110 33<br />
Soybean 37 1250 13<br />
Alwar Sorghum (Fodder) 62 3780 Not available<br />
Pearl millet 26 1930 Not available<br />
Tonk Groundnut 3 910 19<br />
Maize 12 3260 56<br />
Pearl millet 3 2000 13<br />
Blackgram 2 330 7<br />
S. Madhopur Blackgram 3 670 13<br />
Pearl millet 9 1910 18<br />
Maize 8 2750 41<br />
Farmer participatory evaluation of landform management in rainy fallow regions of central India:<br />
More than 70 farmer participatory trials were conducted in rainy season fallow areas to evaluate the effect of<br />
landform management on soybean productivity. Soil test based balanced nutrition and improved cultivars were<br />
common in both the treatments. The landform management involving broadbed and furrow proved superior over<br />
conservation furrow in terms of 1-33% more productivity (Table 15). The adoption of proper landform management<br />
along with balanced nutrition and improved cultivar thus is the technology to harness good yields from traditional<br />
rainy fallow regions.<br />
Table 15. Effect of landform management (along with balanced nutrition and improved cultivar) on the<br />
soybean yield in rainy fallow regions in Madhya Pradesh, India, rainy season <strong>2010</strong><br />
District<br />
Grain yield<br />
% Increase<br />
(kg ha -1 )<br />
CF<br />
BBF<br />
Guna 1345 1450 8<br />
Raisen 1270 1360 7<br />
Shajapur 2320 2460 6<br />
Indore 1600 1700 6<br />
Sehore 2710 2730 1<br />
Anandpur 1430 1900 33<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
BAIF, BYPASS, CARD, FES, GVT, DEEP,<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust; Sir Ratan Tata Trust<br />
Output 7.3: Environmental impacts of livestock intensification reduced during droughts and the dry season<br />
by developing and promoting alternative feed and fodder strategies in crop-livestock systems with associated<br />
capacity building<br />
Moved to Project- 9<br />
334
Output 7.4: Opportunities for the market exploitation of biodiesel tree products by the poor promoted with<br />
associated capacity building<br />
Activity 7.4.1. Jatropha curcas as Biofuel<br />
Multi-site screening trials were set up in Samanko (Mali) and Sadore (Niger) with 16 Jatropha accessions to evaluate<br />
their performance in growth and seed yield under two rainfall conditions. A total of 120 Jatropha curcas accessions<br />
originating from Burkina Faso, Mali, Mexico, Malaysia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda were collected and planted at<br />
Sadore (Niger), Samanko, Sikasso and Cinzana (all 3 sites in Mali) in August <strong>2010</strong>. These 4 sites cover a rainfall<br />
gradient ranging from 500 to 1000 mm.<br />
Older experiments planted in 2008 to compare performances of 16 accessions in low rainfall site (500 mm) and<br />
higher rainfall site (800 mm) indicates that there are significant differences between sites in seed yield. Performance<br />
of trees in the Sahelian zone is very poor with an average yield of 2.3 g tree -1 compared to an average yield of 670 g<br />
tree -1 in the Sudanian zone the first year.<br />
The results in the low rainfall (500 mm) and poor soil sandy soil conditions of Sadore indicate significant<br />
differences between accessions in growth traits such as height and collar diameter. One of the two Mexican<br />
accessions showed the highest growth performances (Height and collar diameter) compared with the other<br />
accessions. The log transformation of survival rate did not show any significant difference between the accessions.<br />
Other measured parameters such as number of branches, number of inflorescence and number of infructescence<br />
showed significant differences as well. It is hoped that selection under the low rainfall and poor sandy soil<br />
conditions of Sadore will lead to identification of draught tolerant clones.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Mali, Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
University of Copenhagen, ICRAF, the national agricultural research institute of Mali and NGOs<br />
Special project funding:<br />
IFAD<br />
A Nikiema and Dov Pasternak<br />
Activity 7.4.2. Studies on water requirement of Jatropha<br />
AVR Kesava Rao and Suhas P Wani<br />
Jatropha curcas (ICJC-06114) seedlings were planted in November 2004 at a spacing of 3 x 2 m in the BL-3 field of<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru. Daily reference crop evapotranspiration (ET o ) was computed following the FAO Penman-<br />
Monteith method. Evapotranspiration of Jatropha curcas under non-water limiting conditions (ET c Jatropha curcas)<br />
was computed based on ET o and crop coefficients depending on the phonological stage. Soil moisture in the<br />
Jatropha plantation was monitored from November 2005 using the neutron probe (Troxler model 4302) and<br />
gravimetric method. ET actual Jatropha under actual field conditions was estimated from the neutron probe soil<br />
moisture measurements using simplified water balance approach.<br />
Table 16. Evapotranspiration demands of Jatropha curcas at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Patancheru<br />
Element<br />
Year<br />
2006 2007 2008 2009<br />
Rainfall (mm) 875 712 1102 998<br />
ET o Jatropha (mm) Reference crop evapotranspiration 1624 1631 1659 1760<br />
ET c Jatropha (mm) under non-water limiting conditions 1410 1432 1442 1538<br />
ET actual Jatropha (mm) under actual field conditions 798 614 751 930<br />
ET demand under no moisture stress varied from 1410–1538 mm per year (Table 1) during 2006-2009. Under field<br />
conditions actual ET of Jatropha varied from 614-930 mm depending on the atmospheric evaporative demand,<br />
rainfall and crop phenophase. Patterns of soil water depletion indicated that with growing plant age from two to five<br />
335
years, depth of soil water extraction increased from 100 cm to 150 cm by the fifth year (Fig. 5). Monthly water use<br />
of Jatropha varied from 10-20 mm (leaf shedding period) to 140 mm depending on water availability and<br />
environmental demand. This study indicated that Jatropha curcas has a good drought tolerance mechanism;<br />
however under favourable soil moisture conditions it could use large amounts of water for luxurious growth and<br />
high yield. These findings highlight the need to carefully assess the implications of large Jatropha plantations on<br />
water availability and use under different agroecosystems, particularly so in water scarce regions such as semi-arid<br />
and arid regions in the tropics.<br />
Two-year young plants<br />
Five-year young plants<br />
Figure 5. Distribution of volumetric soil moisture content in Jatropha curcas Distribution of volumetric soil<br />
moisture content in Jatropha curcas<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Activity 7.4.3. Assessing sowing date × genotypes effect on productivity of sweet sorghum during the rabi<br />
season<br />
During Rabi 2009-10, we studied the effect of early sowing on productivity of sweet sorghum. Improved<br />
cultivars (CSH 22 SS, SSV 84 and ICSA5 x SPV 1411) were sown on May 21 and June 10. Early sowing<br />
increased both the stalk and juice yield of sweet sorghum. May sowing had a fresh stalk yield of 53.8 t ha -1 and<br />
juice yield of 21.3 t ha -1 ; whereas June sowing had a fresh stalk yield of 51.2 t ha -1 and juice yield of 18.6 t ha -1 .<br />
CSH 22 SS was the highest yielder. Whereas, juice yield was the highest with ICSA 52 x SPV 1411.<br />
Participating Countries:<br />
India<br />
Participating Partners:<br />
NRCS, IICT and NGOs<br />
Special project funding:<br />
NAIP, GoI, GOJ-JIRCAS, IFAD<br />
Gajanan L Sawargaonkar, SP Wani, Piara Singh and Belum VS Reddy<br />
Activity 7.4.4. Assessing response of sweet sorghum genotypes to nitrogen management<br />
In Kharif <strong>2010</strong>, we studied the response of three improved genoptypes (ICSA 52 X SPV 1411; CSH 22 SS and<br />
ICSV 93046) to N application rated ranging from 0 to 150 kg ha -1 . Cultivar CSH 22 SS (medium duration) was<br />
more responsive in terms of TDM yields (17 to 32 t ha -1 ) and brix (17 to 20%) to increased rate of N application<br />
up to 120 kg ha -1 , whereas, ICSV 93046 (late duration) was poor (5 to 9 t ha -1 TDM and 12 to 14% brix). Onfarm<br />
participatory sweet sorghum yield maximization trials in Ibrahimabad, Andhra Pradesh showed that<br />
improved management practices (improved variety, sowing with tropicultor, BBF system and balanced nutrition<br />
with micronutrients) increased fresh biomass yield to 52 t ha -1 as compared to 25 t ha -1 harvested by farmers with<br />
their management.<br />
Participating Countries:<br />
India<br />
336
Participating Partners:<br />
NRCS, IICT and NGOs<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
GoI, GoJ-JIRCAS, IFAD, NAIP, D1 oil fuel crops<br />
Gajanan L Sawargaonkar, SP Wani, Piara Singh and Belum VS Reddy<br />
337
MTP Project 9:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Poverty alleviation and sustainable management of land, water, livestock and<br />
forest resources through sustainable agro-ecological intensification in low-and<br />
high-potential environments in the semi-arid tropics of Africa and Asia<br />
Peter Craufurd<br />
Milestone: New tools and methods for management of multiple use landscapes with a focus on sustainable<br />
productivity enhancement, developed and promoted with associated capacity-building in collaboration with<br />
NARES partners in Africa and Asia<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India and USA<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.<br />
Special Project Funding: USAID Linkage project<br />
Climate change is expected to adversely impact the productivity and production of rainfed crops like groundnut<br />
in the semi-arid areas of India. Quantification of this impact in different agroclimatic regions of India where<br />
groundnut is grown is needed to develop suitable coping strategies (genetic and management). We used<br />
CROPGRO model for groundnut along with historical weather data and projected changes in climate as per the<br />
A1B SRES scenario for the Indian region. Spatial and temporal impact of climate change on productivity of<br />
groundnut was assessed for the 24 sites. Increase in temperature from 0.9˚C to 2.9 ˚C (2020 to 2080 time scale)<br />
hastened crop maturity at cooler sites and delayed at warmer sites. Increase in CO 2 or rainfall did not affect<br />
progress towards maturity. Across sites, pod yield was more sensitive to the increase in temperature than<br />
biomass yield. Decrease in pod yield with increase in temperature ranged from -4% to -13% by 2020 (+0.9 ˚C),<br />
-6 to -29% by 2050 (+1.9 ˚C) and -9% to -46% by 2080 (+2.9 ˚C). In spite of the beneficial effect of increase in<br />
CO 2 and rainfall, the detrimental effect of temperature increase, even by +0.9 ˚C, on pod yield were still<br />
recorded for some sites. By 2050, pod yields decreased by -1% to -16% with the increase in both temperature<br />
(+1.9 o C) and CO 2 (532 ppm) at warmer and low rainfall sites, while at other sites the pod yields increased up to<br />
18% above the yields simulated with current climate. The net effect of increase in temperature, CO 2 and rainfall<br />
on pod yields at the three time scales was still negative at warmers sites, indicating that the increase in CO 2 and<br />
seasonal rainfall will not completely negate the detrimental impacts of temperature at some sites. Across sites,<br />
the current seasonal mean temperature and effective rainfall were the major determinants of changes in pod<br />
yield for different climate change scenarios. Harvest index (HI) of groundnut decreased with all climate change<br />
scenarios. For sustainable increase in groundnut productivity in future, re-adjustments in the duration of<br />
groundnut to the water availability periods at different sites will be needed. For warmers sites, we will need<br />
high temperature tolerant and drought resistant cultivars for higher productivity and higher HI. For relatively<br />
cooler sites, we will need cultivars with greater partitioning to pods to take advantage of climate change.<br />
Enhancing effectiveness of rainfall through improved soil and crop management would further minimize the<br />
adverse impacts of climate change on groundnut productivity.<br />
Piara Singh, K Srinivas, KJ Boote, SP Wani and AVR Kesava Rao<br />
Milestone: Capacity of national agricultural and regional institutions to understand risks of climate change<br />
understood<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD), University of Nairobi (UoN), Kenya Agricultural Research Institute<br />
(KARI) and Ministry of Agriculture, Gove of Kenya (MoA)<br />
Growing understanding of interactions between the atmosphere, sea and land surfaces, advances in modeling the<br />
global climate system, and increased investment in monitoring the tropical oceans have led to improved<br />
predictability of climate fluctuations months in advance in many parts of the world. Predictability of seasonal<br />
climatic conditions was found to be especially good for East Africa, where the inter-annual climate variability is<br />
strongly associated with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions. KMD and other regional and global<br />
organizations such as IGAD Climate Prediction and Application Centre (ICPAC) and International Research<br />
Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) regularly develop and disseminate seasonal climate forecasts for both<br />
338
short and long rain seasons in Kenya at least one month before the start of the season. Considering the potential<br />
of these forecasts in reducing risk and capitalise on opportunities created by variable climatic conditions,<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> in collaboration with KMD, UoN, KAR and MoA initiated a study to evaluate the value of forecast<br />
based decisions in reducing risk and improving profitability. This involved interpretation of probabilistic<br />
forecasts issued by KMD and presenting the same in the form of “Weather based agro-advisories” which can<br />
easily be understood by the end users.<br />
The development of advisories is based on inputs provided by KMD and KARI and extension workers of MoA<br />
from the target locations during a meeting convened to discuss the agricultural implications of the forecast. The<br />
final advisory includes consensus recommendations from the group and is structured to provide a brief review of<br />
the performance of previous season forecast, prediction for the current season and agricultural implications of<br />
the current forecast. The advisories were pilot tested for their usefulness at six locations in Ukambani region of<br />
Eastern Kenya viz., Kitui, Mwingi, Mutomo, Mwala, Katumani and Makindu, involving a total of 195 farmers<br />
over a period of six seasons starting from 2007-2008 short rain season. In August/September <strong>2010</strong> a survey was<br />
conducted at three locations, where the advisories were pilot tested, to assess how the recipients of the<br />
advisories used and benefitted by the information provided. In general, farmers found the advisory very useful<br />
and showed keen interest in receiving the same. The survey results indicate that most farmers considered<br />
advisories extremely useful in planning farm operations (Table 1), an observation well supported by the<br />
willingness of 87% of the farmers interviewed to pay for the service if required.<br />
Table 1: Farmer assessment of usefulness of advisories in planning farm operations and their willingness<br />
to pay for the service<br />
Location<br />
Usefulness (%)<br />
Total farmers<br />
Willingness to<br />
(No) Extremely Somewhat Not very<br />
pay<br />
useful useful useful<br />
Kitui 27 59% 33% 0% 81%<br />
Mwingi 39 77% 29% 3% 85%<br />
Mutomo 26 69% 22% 3% 96%<br />
The final component of this activity is to work towards institutionalization of this approach by putting in place a<br />
system to develop and disseminate the advisories regularly. A formal meeting with the senior level managers<br />
from KARI, KMD and Ministry of Agriculture to discuss and chalk out a way forward is scheduled for March<br />
2011. With their support, we are planning to develop an automated system for generating the location advisories<br />
and making them available to end users through local extension agencies.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Risk, Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Agricultural Productivity under a Changing Climate”<br />
funded by IDRC/DFID-CCAA program.<br />
“Making the best of climate: Adapting agriculture to climate variability” funded by ASARECA<br />
KPC Rao, Peter Cooper and John Dimes<br />
Milestone: A report on opportunities for adapting agriculture to climate variability and change in ECA<br />
published<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
ASARECA member countries,<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
National agricultural research organizations and meteorological departments, Reading University, ICRAF, ILRI<br />
and CIAT<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The opportunities available for adapting agriculture to climate variability and change in sub-Saharan Africa<br />
were compiled and published as a special edition of the Journal of Experimental Agriculture (Cambridge<br />
University Press) entitled ‘Assessing and addressing climate-induced risk in Sub-Saharan rainfed Agriculture’.<br />
A brief summary of the articles published in this special edition is given below.<br />
339
Supporting agricultural innovation in Uganda to climate risk: linking climate change and variability with<br />
farmer perceptions (Osbahr, H., Dorward, P, Stern, R.D. and Cooper, S.J.): This paper investigates farmers’<br />
perceptions of climate change and variability in south west Uganda where farmers felt that temperature had<br />
increased and seasonality and variability had changed, with the first rainy season between March and May<br />
becoming more variable. From the analyses of the weather data at hand, there is a clear signal that temperature<br />
has been increasing in the climate data and, to a lesser extent. However, rainfall measurements do not show a<br />
downward trend in rainfall amount. The paper reflects on the methodological approach and considers the<br />
implications for communicating information about risk to users in order to support agricultural innovation.<br />
Adding value to field-based agronomic research through climate risk assessment: a case study of maize<br />
production in Kitale, Kenya (Dixit, P.N., Cooper, P.J.M., Rao, K.P.and Dimes, J.): This study demonstrates the<br />
value of tools such as weather generators and crop simulation models by assessing the value of the outputs in the<br />
context of a high potential maize production area in Kenya where grain yields can exceed 10 t ha -1 . MarkSim<br />
generated weather data is shown to provide a satisfactory approximation of recorded weather data, and the<br />
output of 50 years of APSIM simulations demonstrate maize yield responses to plant population, weed control<br />
and N-fertilizer that correspond well with reported results. Weather-induced risk is shown to have important<br />
effects on the rates of return ($ per $ invested) to N-fertilizer which, across seasons and rates of N-application,<br />
ranged from 1.1 to 6.2.<br />
Dealing with climate related risks: some pioneering ideas for enhanced pastoral risk management in Africa<br />
(Ouma, R, Mude, A and van de Steeg, J): This paper makes the case for innovative risk management<br />
approaches in pastoral settings, which may include adjustments to the traditionally practiced approaches that<br />
have become progressively less effective. Recent data from studies in Kenya and southern Ethiopia was used to<br />
confirm that traditional pastoral risk management approaches are increasingly futile against increasing external<br />
pressures, seasonal rainfall variability and future climate change. Some pioneering approaches and ideas, with<br />
potentially wider application to African pastoral settings, appear to offer greater hope; these include (i) indexbased<br />
risk transfer products in pastoral systems, (ii) improvements in the management of food insecurity<br />
response for pastoralists and (iii) recasting of development interventions as risk management.<br />
Assessing the risk of root rots in common beans in east africa using simulated, estimated and observed daily<br />
rainfall (Farrow, A., Musoni, D, Cook, S and Buruchara, R): This paper specifically attempts to improve<br />
disease potential maps of root rots in common beans, based on a combination of inherent susceptibility and the<br />
risk of exposure to critical weather events. The paper also assess the utility of remotely sensed daily rainfall<br />
estimates in near real time for the purposes of updating the risks of these events over large areas and for<br />
providing warnings of potential disease outbreaks.<br />
Climate variability and change: farmers perceptions and understanding of intra-seasonal variability in<br />
rainfall and associated risk in semi-arid Kenya (Rao, K.P.C., Ndegwa, W.G., Kizito, K. and Oyoo, A.): This<br />
study examines farmers’ perceptions of short and long term variability in climate, their ability to discern trends<br />
in climate and how the perceived trends converge with actual weather observations in five districts of Eastern<br />
Province in Kenya where the climate is semi-arid with high intra and inter-annual variability in rainfall. The<br />
main implication of the findings is the need to be aware of and account for climate-induced risk during the<br />
development and promotion of technologies involving significant investments by smallholder farmers and<br />
exercise caution in interpreting farmer’s perceptions about long-term climate variability and change. Such<br />
perceptions need to be understood and overcome through a parallel and more objective analysis of recorded<br />
climatic data from nearby stations before utilizing such farmer-based assessments of climate change as the sole<br />
basis for future research and development action.<br />
Assessing climate risk and climate change using rainfall data: a case study from Zambia (Stern, R.D and<br />
Cooper, P.J.M.): Eighty-nine years of daily rainfall data from a site in Southern Zambia are analysed. The<br />
analyses illustrate approaches to assess the extent of possible trends in rainfall patterns and the calculation of<br />
weather-induced risk associated with the inter- and intra-seasonal variability of the rainfall amounts. Trend<br />
analyses used monthly rainfall totals and the number of rain days in each month. No simple trends were found.<br />
Climate and land use-induced risks to watershed services in the Nyando river basin, Kenya (Gathenya, M.,<br />
Mwangi, H, Coe,R, and Sang, J): Climate change and land use change are two forces influencing the hydrology<br />
of watersheds and their ability to provide ecosystem services such as clean and well regulated stream flow.<br />
Using the physically based distributed watershed models, this study finds that land use change could have<br />
impacts of similar or greater magnitude to the impacts of climate change and land management practices aimed<br />
at enhancing infiltration could offset the impacts of climate change. A 10% increase in rainfall, when<br />
340
accompanied by improved soil management resulted in sediment yields that are in fact lower than today. Thus<br />
improvements in land surface condition that result in higher infiltration are an effective adaptation strategy.<br />
Review of seasonal climate forecasting for agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (James W. Hansen, Simon J.<br />
Mason, Liqiang Sun, and Arame Tall): This paper reviews the use and value of seasonal climate forecasting for<br />
agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a view to understanding and exploiting opportunities to realize<br />
more of its potential benefits. Evidence from a combination of understanding of how climatic uncertainty<br />
impacts agriculture, model-based ex-ante analyses, subjective expressions of demand or value, and the few welldocumented<br />
evaluations of actual use and resulting benefit suggests that seasonal forecast may have<br />
considerable potential to improve agricultural management and rural livelihoods. It concludes with a discussion<br />
of institutional and policy changes that will greatly enhance the benefits of seasonal forecasting to agriculture in<br />
SSA.<br />
Assessing and addressing climate-induced risk in sub-Saharan rainfed agriculture: lessons learned (Coe, R.<br />
and Stern, R.D): A defining characteristic of many tropical agricultural systems is their vulnerability to climate<br />
variability. There is now increased attention paid to climate-agriculture links, now that the world is focused on<br />
climate change. This has shown the need for increased understanding of current and future climate and the links<br />
to agricultural investment decisions, particularly farmers’ decisions. With the justified current interest in climate<br />
and agriculture, all stakeholders including researchers, data providers, policy developers and extension workers<br />
will need to work together to ensure that interventions are based on a correct interpretation of a valid analysis of<br />
relevant data.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Uncertainty: Innovation Systems for Coping with Climate Variability and Change” funded by AfDB<br />
through ASARECA.<br />
Peter Cooper, KPC Rao and John Dimes<br />
Milestone: Impacts of global climate change projections on SAT agriculture evaluated in at least two countries<br />
in ECA<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Kenya Meteorological Department, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya,<br />
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, National Meteorological Agency, Sudan Meteorological Agency-<br />
Sudan, Agricultural Research Corporation-Sudan, Sokoine University of Agriculture-Tanzania, and Tanzania<br />
Meteorology Agency<br />
Crop simulation models like APSIM and DSSAT are extremely useful in conducting what if scenario analyses<br />
that will improve our understanding about the impacts of changes in temperature and rainfall on crop<br />
production. However, such an assessment requires validation of model results for the range of conditions that<br />
the simulations are performed. Experiments were conducted at two locations in Kenya to evaluate the<br />
performance of three maize varieties with differing maturity times. The two sites selected are similar in rainfall<br />
distribution but have different temperature regimes. The sites are Katumani in Machakos district and Kambi Ya<br />
Mawe in Makueni district. During the season in which the experiment was conducted, the average temperature<br />
recorded at Katumani was 20.3 0 C and at Kambi Ya Mawe 25.3 0 C. At both locations the amount of rainfall<br />
received during the season was low. Rainfall during the main growing season October to December was 177<br />
mm at Katumani and 179 mm at Kambi Ya Mawe. All varieties grew faster and reached physiological maturity<br />
stage earlier under warmer condition at Kambi Ya Mawe compared to cooler condition at Katumani (Table 2).<br />
The grain yields are low mainly due to low rainfall received during the season at both locations. These results<br />
were used to validate APSIM and conduct an ex-ante assessment of the impacts of temperature increase up to<br />
3 0 C on performance of maize at these locations.<br />
341
15 DAE 30<br />
Table 2: Performance of maize varieties with differing maturity times at Katumani and Kambi Ya Mawe<br />
Biomass yields<br />
Grain Days to Days to<br />
Variety<br />
DAE 1 anthesis<br />
(kg/ha) anthesis maturity<br />
1<br />
50%<br />
yield 50% physiological<br />
Harvest<br />
Katumani<br />
DH 04 55 414 1328 2087 244 65 97<br />
DK 8031 80 414 1173 2136 217 68 105<br />
H 513 69 404 1353 2381 235 72 109<br />
Kambi Ya Mawe<br />
DH 04 70 561 1586 2449 325 59 89<br />
DK 8031 92 651 1561 2831 441 59 98<br />
H 513 86 645 1876 3273 561 62 101<br />
Figure 1. Distribution of semi-arid areas with projected changes in climate by 2020, 2050 and 2080<br />
We have also tried to map the changes in the extent and distribution of semi-arid areas due to climate change,<br />
our primary target area for risk management, using current and projected climate conditions for 2020, 2050, and<br />
2080 (Figure 2). For the current situation we used data from CRU-TS 3.0 Climate Database. The climate change<br />
scenario is based on HADCM3 output for A2a scenario which is widely considered as the business as usual<br />
scenario. The semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas were delineated using “Aridity Index” which is calculated as<br />
the ratio of average precipitation to reference evapotranspiration. The areas with an aridity index between 0.20<br />
and 0.50 were classified as semi-arid and those with an aridity index between 0.50 and 0.65 as dry sub-humid<br />
(Figure 1). In general, the analysis indicates that there will be an increase in semi-arid area in Kenya, Tanzania<br />
and Ethiopia. In Kenya some of the arid areas are expected to turn semi-arid due to an increase in rainfall. In<br />
case of Tanzania, some of the humid environments in southern Tanzania may become semi-arid or dry subhumid<br />
due to a reduction in rainfall and increase in temperature.<br />
342
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Risk, Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Agricultural Productivity under a Changing Climate”<br />
supported by IDRC/DFID-CCAA program.<br />
KPC Rao, Peter Cooper and John Dimes<br />
Milestone: A synthesis report on “Tools and methodologies to assess climate vulnerabilities and support<br />
informed decision making for improved management of agricultural systems in ECA” published<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Kenya Meteorological Department, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya,<br />
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, National Meteorological Agency, Sudan Meteorological Agency-<br />
Sudan, Agricultural Research Corporation-Sudan, Sokoine University of Agriculture-Tanzania, and Tanzania<br />
Meteorology Agency<br />
The overall aim of this activity is to identify and/or develop a set of user friendly tools that assist in assessing<br />
climate variability and its impacts on agricultural systems and provide hands on training to a core group of<br />
researchers from the countries involved in using the same. Initially, a study was conducted to assess methods<br />
and tools currently used by the team members from the four countries involved in analyzing climate data and in<br />
assessing the impacts of climate on performance of crops and cropping systems. The study has identified four<br />
key areas where improved tools and methods can be of great help. These include:<br />
1. Climate data analysis: Tools to analyze the trends in long term climate data<br />
2. Generating climate data: Models that produce synthetic time series of weather data for a given<br />
location based on the statistical characteristics of observed weather at that location.<br />
3. Systems analysis: Crop models and other tools that help understand the interactions and inter<br />
relationships between climate and agricultural systems<br />
4. Risk and return analysis: Tools to evaluate the benefits and risks associated with various agricultural<br />
investments<br />
After a careful consideration of the data and skill requirement of various available tools, we have identified<br />
INSTAT – A statistical package for climate data analysis, MarkSim – A stochastic weather generator to generate<br />
long-term weather data, and APSIM–A systems simulation model for assessing the productivity and<br />
sustainability of crops and cropping systems under variable climatic conditions as the most appropriate options.<br />
In addition, we have also developed a suit of simple spreadsheet based tools to evaluate risk and return profiles<br />
of various indigenous and improved technologies based on the locally relevant input costs and output prices.<br />
The partner institutions were trained in the use of identified tools and feedback received was used to improve<br />
the tools. A publication summarizing the essential features of these tools with example applications, mainly<br />
focusing on risk management, is under preparation.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Risk, Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Agricultural Productivity under a Changing Climate”<br />
funded by IDRC/DFID-CCAA program.<br />
“Making the best of climate: Adapting agriculture to climate variability” funded by ASARECA<br />
KPC Rao<br />
Milestone: An institutional innovation system for managing climate variability and change will be established in<br />
ECA which will greatly enhance the awareness, competency and collaborative ability of key institutions<br />
including NARS, NMS, ASARECA Programs and other key change agents to jointly address climate risk<br />
concerns<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
ASARECA members<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
National Meteorological services in ASARECA<br />
Considering the potential contribution NMS could make to the sort of activities envisaged in climate projects,<br />
efforts were made to link the met institutions with agricultural research institutions. One of the interventions<br />
343
tried is to train the NMS staff to acquire skills to process the historical climatic data in ways that would be of<br />
value for activities concerned with agricultural research and development and enable them to join teams because<br />
of their skills, and process the raw climatic data themselves. They hence add value to their own data, rather than<br />
merely provide it for others. Based on the experiences gained through a set of Proof of Concept projects, a set of<br />
Good Practice guidelines were developed for the management and collaborative analyses of climate information<br />
in consultation with NMS and NARS of ECA. During a meeting in December 2009, involving NMS and<br />
agricultural research staff, the following points were agreed to enhance the links between them:<br />
1. All were agreed of the importance of helping the NMS move into “centre stage” for such agricultural<br />
climate risk research activities. ASARECA was clear that it supported this approach<br />
2. This will mean that any future ASARECA project in which such collaboration is deemed important will<br />
have to prepare the Met Services and the Research Institutes to work in partnership.<br />
3. ASARECA was of the view that it would need to be proactive to foster this collaboration in the future.<br />
Currently its point of contact is only with the National Agricultural Research Institution in each country.<br />
4. Within the current project, Uganda had developed a model that had supported collaboration between its Met<br />
Service and NARO. The group felt that key elements of this model could be adapted for collaboration with<br />
other services. The key elements in Uganda included the following:<br />
• Initial capacity building in decentralised data entry. (In the current support this was largely with<br />
funding in parallel, from the Met Office UK to the Uganda Met Service)<br />
• Availability of computers and software for decentralised data entry and applications. (Also provided<br />
through Met Office UK).<br />
• Capacity-building in applications for selected staff. This was through e-SIAC and f-SIAC, funded<br />
through this project.<br />
• A later initiative had been a within-country e-SIAC, for 30+ staff from the Met Service, some of which<br />
are based at the NARO (i.e. agricultural research) stations. This later initiative was again funded<br />
largely by the Met Office UK.<br />
• Support from the project for (daily) temperature data to be added to the central database.<br />
5. The work in this project (and in a similar project in Malawi) has shown that one key activity for some NMS<br />
is for their (daily) database to be enhanced, so they can contribute to work that uses crop simulation models<br />
and other types of climate risk analyses.<br />
6. There are many existing ASARECA projects where a climate risk/adaptation aspect could usefully be<br />
added. This was the intention for the existing project, but was not possible, partly because of the substantial<br />
re-organisation by ASARECA at the start of this project.<br />
7. The existing project had shown that substantial support might be needed for Met Services to be able to<br />
move to centre stage in agricultural research. It is hoped that this might be possible, perhaps partly through<br />
funding a second phase of the existing project.<br />
8. One advantage that Met Services have over other organisations is that they work well together, i.e. with the<br />
service in neighbouring countries. An example is their regular collaboration in producing the seasonal<br />
climate forecast for ECA. Hence an activity that encourages collaboration between the different Met<br />
Services as well as with the NARS could be useful.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Uncertainty: Innovation Systems for Coping with Climate Variability and Change” funded by AfDB<br />
through ASARECA.<br />
Peter Cooper, KPC Rao and Roger Stern<br />
Milestone: Ex-ante assessment of climate change on SAT agriculture published.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya and Ethiopia<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Kenya Meteorological Department (KMD); Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI); University of<br />
Nairobi (UoN) and Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research (EIAR)<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
For rainfed farmers in the semiarid tropics as well as researchers, the key challenge is managing risk associated<br />
with low and variable rainfall. There is a widespread belief that high uncertainty and risk associated with the<br />
investments made on productivity enhancing technologies is one of the major constraints limiting the adoption<br />
of such technologies by small holder farmers in Africa. This ex-ante analysis seeks to examine this issue in<br />
detail by analyzing the potential impact of recommended technologies on risk, productivity and profitability of<br />
344
the systems in Kitui, Mutomo an Mwingi districts of Eastern Province in Kenya. This analysis involves the<br />
following specific objectives:<br />
1. Estimate the potential long-term impacts of selected technologies on the productivity and profitability of<br />
smallholder farms in the target areas<br />
2. Assess the potential impacts of identified technologies as a means of increasing profitability and reducing<br />
risk<br />
3. Explore the implications of results from the above analysis especially in farm level decision making<br />
The analysis is focused on four production technologies whose benefits are well demonstrated but adoption by<br />
farmers is very limited. These include soil and water conservation practices that can reduce the impacts of long<br />
dry spells (tied ridges), crops and varieties with different maturity periods and tolerance to moisture stress, soil<br />
fertility management using inorganic fertilizers, and seasonal climate forecast based selection of crops and<br />
management practices. Simulation experiments were set up with treatments that are highly relevant to the target<br />
areas. Since soil fertility management is one of the major constraints in improving yields at target locations, we<br />
have evaluated the profitability and risk on investments in fertilizer with due consideration to fertilizer costs and<br />
probability of crop failure. An example of the risk/return profile generated for fertilizer use for one of the test<br />
locations, Mwingi is presented in table 3.<br />
Table 3: Risk and return profile of fertilizer application at Mwingi<br />
0 Kg/ha 20KgN/ha 40kgN/ha 60 kgN/ha 80 kgN/ha<br />
Average Yield (kg/ha) 1213 2185 2612 2666 2674<br />
Best yield (kg/ha) 2802 3399 3447 3475 3511<br />
Optimistic Yield(kg/ha) 1568 2497 3005 3104 3136<br />
Expected Yield (kg/ha) 1207 2209 2806 2853 2874<br />
Pessimistic Yield (kg/ha) 694 1861 2298 2466 2482<br />
Worst Yield (kg/ha) 0 903 522 472 438<br />
% years with >10 kg grain/kg<br />
N<br />
87% 83% 74% 74%<br />
Value cost ratio >2 73% 61% 52% 42%<br />
The data indicates that investment on fertiliser to apply at recommended rate of 40 Kg N/ha can be recovered in<br />
83% of the years. However, the returns on investment are attractive with a value to cost ration of more than 2 in<br />
only 61% of the years. The risk can be reduced substantially with application of small doses of fertiliser (20 kg<br />
N/ha) which gives attractive returns in 73% of the years. This information is extremely useful while making<br />
investment decisions. The treatments considered for assessing the benefits of soil and water conservation<br />
practices included normal farmer practice, tied ridges and mulching on two different soils. Simulations were<br />
also carried out to assess the interactive benefits of with and without application of 5 different levels of nitrogen.<br />
In case of crops, performance of maize varieties with three different maturity periods were evaluated as sole<br />
crop, intercrop with pigeonpea and in rotation with legume bean crop. The other technology on which ex ante<br />
assessment was carried out is forecast based farming. Benefits and value of forecast based decisions such as<br />
selecting crops/varieties/management practices and allocation of land to various crops and verities were<br />
quantified.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Risk, Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Agricultural Productivity under a Changing Climate”<br />
supported by IDRC/DFID-CCAA program.<br />
KPC Rao, Peter Cooper and John Dimes<br />
Milestone: Regional capacities in linking simulation models, participatory on-farm research and climatic<br />
forecasting to increase the competencies of smallholder farmers in coping with current climatic variability and<br />
adapting to potential climatic change strengthened in East and Southern Africa<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Madagascar<br />
345
Partner Institutions:<br />
Kenya Meteorological Department, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Ministry of Agriculture Kenya,<br />
Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, National Meteorological Agency, Sudan Meteorological Agency-<br />
Sudan, Agricultural Research Corporation-Sudan, Sokoine University of Agriculture-Tanzania, and Tanzania<br />
Meteorology Agency, SOMEAH and FOFIFA in Madagascar.<br />
Climate information, including historical and real-time, is vital for the optimal management of agriculture and<br />
natural resources on which agriculture depends. When properly integrated with decision making process,<br />
climate information has the potential to moderate the effects of variable climate on food production and<br />
ecosystem functions. The need for such integration is more important now than ever due to the growing concern<br />
about the climate change and its impacts on agriculture. Though meteorological organizations have collected<br />
and are maintaining huge databases of climatic information, very little effort has gone to turn this data into<br />
useful information for use by research and developmental programs through in depth analysis and interpretation<br />
to study the relationships among weather, climate, and agriculture. To some extent this is constrained by<br />
complex nature of the agricultural systems and lack of appropriate tools to properly quantify the relationships<br />
between climate and agricultural production. However, recent advances in our understanding of the agricultural<br />
systems coupled with those in the computing technology resulted in the development of a number of tools and<br />
methods that are extremely useful in conducting a detailed analysis on the soil-plant-climate systems.<br />
Unfortunately, use of these tools in most developing countries is limited by non-availability of required skills.<br />
Realizing the need for the capacity in making use of these new tools and methods, efforts were made to build a<br />
core team of research and extension experts with required skills in each of the four countries involved. As a first<br />
step, a one week training program targeting the project team members was developed and members were trained<br />
in the use of various tools and methods that are useful in understanding the climate variability and its impacts on<br />
agricultural systems. This was followed by a refresher course to brush up and enhance their skills in the use of<br />
these tools especially in system simulation analysis using APSIM. The team members were also supported in<br />
planning and conducting trials aimed at collecting the required data to calibrate and validate the model. Through<br />
this training and follow up support, team members from the four countries involved have now acquired<br />
sufficient skills to make use of the models and other tools. Some aspects of the training module are now used by<br />
Institute for Meteorological Training and Research (IMTR), a training affiliate KMD, in their training programs.<br />
The Excel based tools are used by all the project partners.<br />
In addition, a training module targeting extension staff was prepared and pilot tested in Kenya. The same will be<br />
improved and made available to IMTR for planning and executing training programs aimed at improving the<br />
understanding of climate issues in agriculture by the personnel involved in agriculture extension.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
“Managing Risk, Reducing Vulnerability and Enhancing Agricultural Productivity under a Changing Climate”<br />
supported by IDRC/DFID-CCAA program.<br />
“Making the best of climate: Adapting agriculture to climate variability” funded by ASARECA<br />
KPC Rao, Peter Cooper and John Dimes<br />
Milestone: Increase yields of major crops by at least 50% and the income of 360 000 household by 30% in<br />
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger by 2013<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
INERA (Burkina Faso) , IER (Mali), INRAN (Niger) , <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
and TSBF , NGOs, Agro dealers, Farmers, Farmer organizations.<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
The project on backstopping Fertilizer and Inventory Credit System Project in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger<br />
seeks to increase yield through four components:-<br />
• Teaching of farmers about the microdosing technique as developed by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and its partners;<br />
• Dissemination of the technology through FFS, demonstrations;<br />
• Use of communication channels such as local radios;<br />
• Creation of village level Input Stores and Warrantage Stores and schemes managed by farmers<br />
346
After 18 months of implementation, the project has the following achievements:<br />
• Launching and one planning meetings organized in Ouagadougou and in Niger;<br />
• Three training workshops organized by the regional coordination on data analysis, management of the<br />
project and technical report writing;<br />
• One training on result based monitoring and Evaluation organized by AGRA and attended by country<br />
teams and the regional coordination;<br />
• Two trainings on P seed coating for scientists and students from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger;<br />
• Training on warrantage for NGO staff, farmer organizations in the three countries, but also for an<br />
AGRA project in Nigeria on request;<br />
• Baseline studies done in the three countries, and reports submitted to AGRA<br />
• Backstopping by the RIO of <strong>ICRISAT</strong> to draft communication plans for the project in Burkina Faso,<br />
Mali, and Niger<br />
Table 4: Main countries achievements on some project components in <strong>2010</strong><br />
Country Input stores Warrantage<br />
stores<br />
No.<br />
microdosing<br />
No. FFS<br />
demos<br />
Burkino Faso 28 26 5154 89 36<br />
Mali 39 29 1876 49 100<br />
Niger 24 18 730 60 32<br />
No. input<br />
stores<br />
For the crop yield increase objective, crop yields were increased on average from 823 kg in control (no<br />
fertilizer) to 1656 kg/ha in microdosing plots in Mali on improved sorghum varieties in 400-600 mm rainfall<br />
range. The same trend is observed on local varieties in the same rainfall range. Similar yield increase was in<br />
higher rainfall range (600-800 mm) and 800-1200 mm range in Mali. In Burkina Faso, on improved sorghum<br />
varieties, yields were 675 kg/ha on control plots and 1879 kg/ha on microdosing plots. In Niger, average grain<br />
yields varied from 1300 to 1400 kg/ha in microdosing plots as compared to 500 kg/ha in control plots. On<br />
groundnuts, average control yields were 540 kg/ah as compared to microdosing with SSP and compound<br />
fertilizer (15-15-15) with respectively average yields of 1275 kg/ha and 1552 kg/ha. In Burkina Faso, about<br />
4800 framers have conducted microdosing demonstrations on 1300 ha of land on millet sorghum, cowpea, and<br />
maize. Linkages between farmer organizations or agrodealers with financial institutions in Burkina Faso, Mali<br />
and Niger has lead to 25 million CFA allocated by BRS to AGRODIA for fertilizer purchases, agreements<br />
drafted in Niger with ECOBANK and BRS, and in Mali 25 million CFA was loaned to farmers generating a<br />
benefice of about 9 million CFA. In total , in Mali 488 tons of grain was warranted in <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Conclusions:<br />
The second year of the project implementation has increased the number of activities and project outputs as<br />
compared to year 1. Achievements were well evaluated by the two external evaluators in February 2011, and a<br />
more ambitious work plan is to be prepared for the last year of the project. This plan will include a strong<br />
communication program in each country and an M&E activity with a technology dissemination study before the<br />
start of the 2011 cropping season in all three countries with backstopping from <strong>ICRISAT</strong>.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Achieving Pro-Poor Green Revolution in Drylands of Africa: Linking Fertilizer Microdosing with Input-Output<br />
Markets to Boost Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihoods in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger<br />
Mahamadou Gandah, Regional Coordinator<br />
Milestone: Comparative evaluation of ICP-AES and turbidimetric methods for determining extractable sulfur in<br />
soils<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
None<br />
The deficiency of sulfur (S) as a constraint to crop productivity in irrigated, intensified systems has long been<br />
recognized. A recent survey of farmers’ fields in the Indian semi-arid tropics (SAT) demonstrated that the<br />
deficiency of S, as a constraint to crop production and productivity, is also equally widespread in the rainfed<br />
production systems. The results of this research further showed that soil testing was effective in diagnosing S<br />
347
deficiency; and the crops grown on farmers’ fields with calcium chloride extractable-S < 8-10 mg kg -1 soil<br />
responded positively to the application of sulfur. At the Charles Renard Analytical Laboratory in <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, we<br />
routinely determine available or extractable S in soil samples by ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic<br />
Emission Spectroscopy). However, because of cost consideration in procuring an ICP-AES and also the cost<br />
involved in the conduct of analysis, the turbidimetric method of S determination in soil, water and plant samples<br />
is still widely used in laboratories especially in the developing countries including India. There is no information<br />
on the comparative evaluation of the turbidimetric method with ICP-AES for determining extractable S in soil<br />
samples. The objective of this research therefore, was to compare the values of extractable (available) S<br />
measured by ICP-AES and turbidimetric methods using diverse soil samples. To compare the efficacy of the<br />
turbidimetric method with that of ICP-AES method, 80 diverse surface (0-15 cm layer) soil samples were used;<br />
they had a wide range wide range in pH (5.0 to 8.3) and extractable S. To measure extractable (available) S, the<br />
soil samples were extracted with 0.15% calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ). The extracts were analyzed for extractable S<br />
using ICP-AES and turbidimetric methods. All the soil samples were analyzed in triplicate and the mean values<br />
of three replications are reported. Regression analysis was carried out to establish relationship between the<br />
values of extractable S obtained by ICP-AES (ICP-S) and turbidimetric (Turbid-S) methods for all the 80<br />
samples, and also for soil samples grouped according to pH in the acidic, neutral and alkaline range.<br />
The results of analysis of 80 soil samples for S extracted by 0.15% calcium chloride solution (sulfate-S) and<br />
determined by the ICP-AES (ICP-S) and turbidimetric (Turbid-S) methods showed that the ICP-S values varied<br />
from 1.2 to 32.6 mg kg -1 of soil, while the Turbid-S values ranged from 4.2 to 32.5 mg kg -1 soil. In general, the<br />
Turbid-S values were greater than the ICP-S values in soil samples with different pH (5.0-5.9, 6.0-6.9, 7.0-7.9<br />
and >8.0) groups. The regression analysis between the ICP-S and Turbid-S values for all the 80 samples (Figure 1)<br />
showed that there was a significant (R 2 = 0.621 p< 0.01, n = 80) relationship between the values of extractable S<br />
by the two methods. However, the scatter of the points (Figure 2) with various pH groups of soils clearly<br />
showed that soil samples with pH > 8.0 were the outliers. The correlations between ICP-S and Turbid-S for soil<br />
samples with pH ranging from 5.0-5.9, 6.0-6.9 and 7.0-7.9 pH groups were highly significant (p< 0.01).<br />
However, the correlation between ICP-S and Turbid-S was not significant (R 2 = 0.120, NS, n = 20) for a group<br />
of 20 soil samples with pH > 8. The regression analysis of ICP-S on Turbid-S for all the 80 samples showed<br />
that the correlation (R 2 = 0.621 p< 0.01, n =80) was significant. The correlation coefficient (R 2 ) between ICP-S<br />
and Turbid-S improved from 0.62 to 0.92 (n = 60) when the soil samples with pH > 8.0 were excluded in the<br />
regression analysis. For the 20 soil samples with pH > 8.0, the mean value of extractable S by the turbidimetric<br />
method (13.5 mg kg -1 soil) was over three times greater than that obtained by the ICP-AES method. The<br />
regression equations between the two methods for different groups of soil samples were as follows:<br />
Samples with pH 5.0-5.9, ICP-S = 0.986 Turbid-S – 4.226 (R 2 = 0.922, p
101%. The recovery of the added sulfate was near complete when added in the range of 5-10 mg L -1 . The<br />
precision (evaluated by testing the repeatability of the analysis in lower and higher range of sulfate-S) showed<br />
that the two methods were comparable and equally precise as measured by mean, SE and CV for soil samples<br />
with extractable sulfate in the higher range, but in the case of soil sample with extractable S in the lower range,<br />
the turbidimetric method was less precise than the ICP-AES method (results not presented). However, in general<br />
both methods were less precise in the lower than in the higher extractable S range (Table 1). These results show<br />
that the best results are obtained especially by the turbidimetric method when the extractable S values in the<br />
extract are not in the lower range. In such situations, perhaps higher amounts of soil can used to bring the<br />
concentration of sulfate-S in the extract in the optimum range. Even the ICP-AES method gave a lower<br />
precision for extractable S in the lower than in the higher concentration range (Table 1). This observation is<br />
important as a number of soils in the semi-arid tropical regions of India are low to very low in the extractable or<br />
available S.<br />
Importantly, we observed interference in the determination of sulfate-S by the turbidimetric method in<br />
calcareous soils and this needs further investigation. Probably, during the estimation of sulfate-S in the extracts<br />
by the turbidimetric method in soil samples with pH > 8 results in the formation of barium sulfate and barium<br />
carbonate, resulting in the over estimation of extractable (available) sulfate by the turbidimetric method. In<br />
conclusion, this study on the comparative evaluation of ICP-AES and turbidimetric methods for extractable-S<br />
(sulfate) determination showed that the results obtained by the two methods were in close agreement for soil<br />
samples with pH varying from 5.0 to 7.9. However, the correlation between the values obtained by the two<br />
methods was not significant for soil samples with pH 8.0 or higher. And the ICP-S and Turbid-S were<br />
comparable in precision for soil samples relatively high in extractable S, but ICP-AES method gave a better<br />
precision than that obtained by the turbidimetric method for soil samples very low in extractable S.<br />
KL Sahrawat, SP Wani and K Shirisha<br />
Milestone: Increasing agricultural productivity and sustaining natural resources in SAT Alfisols (RW2<br />
watershed)<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
CRIDA, Hyderabad, India<br />
Alfisols are important soils throughout much of the semi-arid tropics. They are the most abundant soils in the<br />
SAT covering 33 % of the SAT region. Sustaining agricultural productivity and conserving natural resources is<br />
still a major challenge on SAT Alfisols. Our present knowledge does not provide a clear and tested approach<br />
particularly on land- and soil-management techniques that are effective in reducing runoff and erosion,<br />
improving structural stability to the soil, improving water-storage characteristics, and reducing sealing and<br />
crusting. The on-station Alfisols watershed was initiated in 2002 to answer few of these problems on Alfisols.<br />
During 2009-10, the Alfisol watershed had the treatments, which included two crops and cropping systems (Sorghum (PVK 801) / pigeonpea<br />
(ICPL 87119) intercrop and castor (GCH4) as sole crop) and two management practices.<br />
During 2009, the seasonal rainfall was 760 (Jun-Oct) and total annual rainfall was 824 mm. The rainfall was<br />
highly erratic and all the suffered heavily due to extended drought, starting from 2 nd week of July to 3 rd week of<br />
August during the season. The tensiometer data shows that the soil moisture at 67.5 cm and 82.5 cm depths were<br />
similar in both management options with good moisture availability only from 25 th August to 1 st week of<br />
December 2009 (Figure 3).<br />
Matric potential at two depths in RW2 watershed, 2009<br />
120<br />
Matric potential (cm)<br />
0.0<br />
18-Dec 6-Feb 28-Mar 17-May 6-Jul 25-Aug 14-Oct 3-Dec 22-Jan<br />
-150.0<br />
-300.0<br />
-450.0<br />
-600.0<br />
-750.0<br />
67.5 cm Depth 82.5 cm Depth<br />
Rainfall (mm)<br />
100<br />
80<br />
60<br />
40<br />
20<br />
0<br />
18-Dec 6-Feb 28-Mar 17-May 6-Jul 25-Aug 14-Oct 3-Dec 22-Jan<br />
Date<br />
Figure 3. Matric potential and daily rainfall in RW2 watershed, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Center 2009<br />
349
Crops were sown on 19 June 2009 and yields of all crops were higher in the BBF system compared to flat system (Fig. 4). The sorghum grain yield<br />
was higher by about 18% and the fodder yield by 7%, pigeonpea grain yield by 32% and dry matter by 28%, while castor grain yield was higher by<br />
6% and dry matter by 41% in BBF system over flat system.<br />
9.0<br />
7.5<br />
7.84<br />
7.31<br />
6.0<br />
5.15<br />
Yield (t ha -1 )<br />
4.5<br />
3.0<br />
4.81<br />
3.42<br />
4.02<br />
1.73<br />
1.5<br />
1.28<br />
1.21<br />
1.6 8<br />
1.42<br />
1.2 4<br />
0.0<br />
Castor Sorghum Pigeonpea Castor Sorghum/ Pigeonpea<br />
Grain<br />
Dry matter<br />
BBF system<br />
Flat cultivation<br />
Figure 4. Crop yield under two land managements at RW2 watershed, 2009-10<br />
Both the annual runoff and soil loss in the BBF system were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) lower by 32% compared to flat system. Peak<br />
runoff rate and soil loss were also significantly lower in BBF land management system (Table 4).<br />
Table 4. Annual rainfall, runoff and soil loss from different treatments at RW2 watersheds, 2009<br />
Parameters BBF system Flat cultivation<br />
Seasonal Rainfall (mm) 760 760<br />
Seasonal runoff (mm) 115 151<br />
Peak runoff rate (m 3 /s/ ha -1 ) 0.122 0.157<br />
Runoff as % of rainfall 15 20<br />
Soil loss (t ha -1 ) 5.30 6.97<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sir Ratan Tata Trust<br />
P Pathak, SP Wani, Piara Singh and R Sudi<br />
Milestone: Model watersheds for sustaining agricultural productivity and improved livelihoods in the different<br />
agro-ecoregions of India<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
NGOs (PEDO, BAIF, JalaSRI, READS, BIRDS, DA, TVS-ASRI, SHRISTI), Government Departments<br />
(District Water Management Agency, Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of District Watershed Development),<br />
Universities / ICAR Institutions (National Research Center on Agroforestry; University of Agricultural<br />
Sciences, Dharwad; and ICAR KVKs)<br />
The Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has sponsored a project on the establishment of model<br />
watersheds for sustaining agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods in the different agro-ecoregions of<br />
India. The Comprehensive Assessment of Watershed Programs in India indicated that the concept of “one size<br />
fits all” approach did not work well in most rainfed regions. For different agro-eco-regions different approach<br />
and practices are needed for higher impact. Strong need was felt to establish model watersheds with following<br />
main objectives.<br />
• To establish Model Sites of Learning in different agro eco zones for demonstrating the potential of<br />
rainfed areas for increasing productivity;<br />
• To improve rural livelihood through participatory watershed development program with consortium<br />
approach through application of new science tools and cost-effective integrated genetic and natural<br />
resource management practices appropriate to socio-economic conditions of farmers and natural<br />
resources of the ecosystems;<br />
• To build capacity of different stakeholders in the areas of integrated watershed management.<br />
350
Based on few key criterias (viz. representativeness in terms of soils, landscape, rainfall, crops and socioeconomic;<br />
major area under rainfed; strong need for watershed program; cooperative community and others)<br />
appropriate sites of the model watersheds in three different agro-eco-regions were selected (Table 5). Overall<br />
good progresses have been made at all the nine model watersheds. Emphasis have been given on testing/<br />
implementing appropriate technologies, productivity enhancement and income generating activities,<br />
convergence, quality capacity building of various stakeholders and monitoring and evaluation. During last two<br />
years fallowing activities have been completed or taken up at nine model watersheds:<br />
• Baseline data collection on biophysical and socio-economic aspects and its analysis<br />
• Topographic and geo-reference maps<br />
• Formation of community groups in watersheds (watershed committee, self-help groups and area groups)<br />
• Knowledge based entry point activity<br />
• Detailed project reports prepared for all the nine watersheds<br />
• Watershed development activities viz. construction of check dams, gully plugs, tanks and other have<br />
been taken up<br />
• Participatory productivity enhancement trials<br />
• Income generating activities<br />
• Installation and collection of data from weather and hydrological monitoring units<br />
• Groundwater level monitoring<br />
• Capacity building activities for various stakeholders<br />
Table 5. Model watershed sites in different ecoregions of India<br />
Annual rainfall<br />
(mm)<br />
Watershed location<br />
(Village, Block/Mandal/<br />
Soil Type<br />
≤700<br />
Taluk, District, State)<br />
Saram,<br />
Biscuwada Block,<br />
Dungarpur Dist.,<br />
Rajasthan<br />
Mota Vadala, Kalavad<br />
Taluk Jamnagar Dist.,<br />
Gujarat<br />
Pathri<br />
Jalgaon Tq & Dist.,<br />
Maharashtra<br />
>700 ≤1000 Nagulapally Sadasivapet<br />
Mandal,<br />
Medak Dist.,<br />
Andhra Pradesh<br />
Alfisols & Associated<br />
soils<br />
Vertisols, Vertic<br />
Inceptisols &<br />
Associated soils<br />
Vertisols, Vertic<br />
Inceptisols &<br />
Associated soils<br />
Vertisols, Vertic<br />
Inceptisols &<br />
Associated soils<br />
Collaborating Institutions/<br />
Organisations<br />
PEDO (NGO); DWMA (State<br />
Govt.)<br />
BAIF (NGO);<br />
DWMA (State Govt.)<br />
JalaSRI Program-<br />
MJ College, Jalgaon,<br />
(NGO);<br />
Dept. Agri. (State Govt.)<br />
READS (NGO);<br />
DWMA (State Govt.)<br />
Neeralakatti,<br />
Dharwad Tq & Dist.,<br />
Karnataka<br />
Damagar,<br />
Babina Block<br />
Jhansi Dist.,<br />
Uttar Pradesh<br />
Melkarai,<br />
Kalakad Taluk Tirunelveli<br />
Dist., Tamil Nadu<br />
>1000 Barkheda Khurd,<br />
Chachoda Block Guna<br />
Dist.,<br />
Madhya Pradesh<br />
Nuagaon,<br />
Kuntha block<br />
Mayurbhanj Dist., Orissa<br />
Vertisols, Vertic<br />
Inceptisols, Alfisols &<br />
Associated soils<br />
Alfisols & Associated<br />
soils<br />
Alfisols & Associated<br />
soils (sandy soils)<br />
Vertisols & Associated<br />
soils<br />
Alfisols & Associated<br />
soils<br />
BIRDS (NGO);<br />
DWDO (State Govt.)<br />
National Research Center on<br />
Agroforestry (NRCAF);<br />
Development Alternative (NGO)<br />
TVS-ASRI (PIA)<br />
BAIF (NGO);<br />
DWMA (State Govt.)<br />
SHRISTI (NGO);<br />
KVK, OUAT Bhubneswar<br />
351
Special Project Funding:<br />
Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India<br />
P Pathak, SP Wani, RC Sachan and R Sudi<br />
Milestone: Farmers participatory IDM (as a major component of ICM) for the identification and inclusion of<br />
legumes in the rice and or wheat cropping systems evaluated and promoted.<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (JNKV), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh; Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishwa<br />
Vidyalaya (IGKVV), Raipur, Chhattisgarh<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
Evaluation and Promotion of ICM (PVS, IDM, IPM, and INM) technologies for the management of legumes<br />
diseases in chickpea rainfed rice fallow lands of Chattisgarh (CG) and Madhya Pradesh (MP): Three farmers’<br />
participatory activities: 1) Farmers Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS), 2) Improved Pulse Production and<br />
Protection technology (IPPPT) demonstrations, and 3) Village Level Seed System (VLSS) demonstrations were<br />
conducted in the target districts of Madhya Pradesh (Jabalpur, Rewa, Satna and Damoh) and Chhattisgarh<br />
(Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Kabirdham). Site specific components of IPPPT such as seeds of improved<br />
chickpea cultivars, seed treatment with fungicides (Thiram, Bavistin) and Rhizobium, fertilizer application, line<br />
sowing using locally available seed-cum-fertilizer drill and or locally adopted methods for chickpea were used<br />
in establishing the trials.<br />
PVS: Eight chickpea varieties (JG 14, JG 11, ICCC 37, JGK 2, JG 322, Vaibhav, JG 74 and Vijay) evaluated in<br />
PVS trials in 6 farmers fields in RRFL without supplementary irrigation in CG. Total grain yield ~ 1.0 t ha -1 was<br />
recorded. In MP, the eight chickpea varieties (JG 11, JG 16, JG 14, JG 74, JG 130, JAKI 9218, JG 63, and JGK<br />
2) were tested in 5 PVS trials with supplementary irrigation. Grain yields ranged 0.83 to 3 t ha -1 recorded from<br />
both the states. The chickpea variety JG 16 was the highest yielder (1.93 t ha -1 ) across locations in MP.<br />
IPPPT: A total of 1142, IPPPT– on farm demonstration were successfully conducted and harvested in CG<br />
(421) and MP (721) for seed yield and individual household seed systems. Mean yield of chickpea cultivar<br />
Vaibhav was 0.81 t ha -1 in CG. Among the four improved varieties evaluated in IPPPT in MP; JG 16 gave grain<br />
yield of 2.37 t ha -1 . The mean grain yield across chickpea varieties and locations was ≥ 1.5 t ha -1 .<br />
VLSS: A total of 43 VLSS seed multiplication trials were conducted and harvested [CG (34) and MP (9)] about<br />
30 tons seeds of farmers preferred varieties [JG 16 (10.0 t), JG 130 (9.0 t) and Vaibhav (15.6 t)] was produced.<br />
In addition to seed stored from VLSS, 27.3 tons of seed of Vaibhav was stored by farmers in CG from IPPPT<br />
demonstrations. In comparison to CG, farmers stored a total of 83.60 tons seeds of four improved varieties<br />
[JG16 (40.3 t), JG 74 (13.6t) JG 130 (27.58t) and JAKI 9218 (2.03t)] in MP. Approximately 101.4 tons seeds of<br />
improved varieties of chickpea were produced in the pilot districts.<br />
Imparted training (including preparation of training and extension manuals/lectures etc.) to students, research<br />
scholars, technicians and farmers on the ICM/IDM/IPM of the <strong>ICRISAT</strong> mandated crops specifically on<br />
legumes (chickpea and pigeonpea) and their diseases. IPPPT orientation training (including INM, IPM, IDM<br />
and storage pest and production technology) was imparted to 2455 farmers (CG = 1155 from 48 villages,<br />
MP=1300 from 36 villages) in the target villages during 2009- <strong>2010</strong> crop season on major production<br />
constraints and their management practices.<br />
IPPPT package was highly profitable and cost effective. Percent gain by using IPPPT was up to 400% in CG<br />
and 104% in MP than local farmer practices.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
National Food Security Mission (NFSM) – Pulses, Ministry of Agriculture and cooperatives, GOI, New Delhi,<br />
India.<br />
Suresh Pande<br />
Milestone: Dual (staple food-high value crop) pest resilient cropping systems<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Niger, Burkina Faso<br />
352
Partner Institutions:<br />
Inran, Niger; University Abdou Moumouni, CIRAD-Montpellier, CIRAD-Réunion<br />
Progress/Results:<br />
• major training and capacity building and networking efforts were conducted during this period<br />
• despite major inconvenience caused by deterioration of the security context in Niger, promising results<br />
were obtained on the management of the tomato fruitworm (TFW) Helicoverpa armigera on okra using<br />
a pigeon-pea field border<br />
• however, mixed results were obtained Re: modelling TFW egg-laying preference on pigeon pea vs okra<br />
and sweet corn vs tomato, in view of optimizing trap cropping design (for application to BDL or AMG<br />
systems)<br />
• promising results were obtained in view of the management of both jujube and watermelon fruit flies<br />
within the DEF system (and to a lesser extent BDL)<br />
• major progress was made in the understanding of the taxonomy and bioecology of the Moringa leafworm,<br />
in view of its management in AMG and BDL systems<br />
• major discoveries were made on SHB ecology and management prospects, consistent results (although “negative” in terms of<br />
management prospects) were again obtained on MSB, as reported under Project 3;<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
HOPE Project (BMGF), CIRAD (mainly under the Omega3 project)<br />
Alain Ratnadass<br />
Milestone: Eco-friendly pest management options integrated for sustainable use of natural resources<br />
Country Involved:<br />
India<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
State Government Departments of Agriculture<br />
IPM is the key component in enhancing the productivity of watershed with environmental safety.<br />
Strengthening capacity of farmers and researchers in eco-friendly pest management approaches in<br />
watersheds is considered as important component of integrated watershed management.<br />
To address the above activity IPM team developed and shared various extension hand outs, video films to the<br />
partners during field visits as well as their visits to <strong>ICRISAT</strong> campus.<br />
• During this year 548 farmers (Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Jharkhand),<br />
and 82 researchers representing 12 states in India had an opportunity to interact with IPM team during<br />
their visits to <strong>ICRISAT</strong> with special reference to pesticide residue management. The importance of<br />
protective clothing was shred with the participants and were supplied with sample kits.<br />
• Under the activity of “Bhuchetana” project in Karnataka IPM team involved in the capacity building of<br />
200 NARS researchers from Gulbarga and Davangere districts.<br />
Response from the participants was quite appreciative by adopting the concept of IPM.<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Bhoochetna, IFAD-EC<br />
G V Ranga Rao<br />
Milestone: Verify the impact of contour ridge tillage on biomass production with very high resolution satellite<br />
imagery<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Mali, Ghana, Niger, Burkina Faso<br />
353
Partner Institutions:<br />
IER Mali<br />
Contour ridge tillage (CRT) has shown to raise both the stability and the productivity of Sudanian and Sudano-<br />
Guinean smallholder cropping systems, and to restore their resiliency to agricultural soils that have been<br />
exploited for centuries. However, few experimental datasets are published that demonstrate CRT effects onfarm,<br />
and few simulations document CRT’s actual value for climate risk management. Also lacking are<br />
performance specifications by slope and soil type, as well as “objective” verification indicators for CRT<br />
adoption, good practice, and impacts on rainfed crops.<br />
This study extracted NDVI metrics from multi-year QuickBird imagery (2 images in early season, 2 images in<br />
late season) for 38 field pairs (contiguous fields, in same catena position; see excerpt in fig. 6). Overall,<br />
significant differences were captured in NDVI between CRT and non-CRT in 82% of field pairs, of which 72%<br />
correspond to CRT-mediated increases in NDVI. This means that, even in poorly documented on-farm<br />
conditions where high uncertainty subsists about field-scale management practices (only crop type was known<br />
here), satellites can still consistently capture, across a season, positive effects from CRT in 60% of smallholder<br />
field pairs.<br />
When considering only early season imagery, the positive benefits from CRT are visible in 77% of smallholder<br />
field pairs, where higher NDVI values results are associated with increased canopy closure. Satellites can<br />
therefore corroborate the early-season benefits from CRT, as a consequence of either increased plant available<br />
water, earlier planting, or a combination of the two. Imagery further shows that CRT increases canopy<br />
heterogeneity in the season, which can be interpreted as a differential nutrient uptake with early rains, in a<br />
context of heterogeneous residual fertility patterns.<br />
Propagation of benefits from CRT late in the season is masked by NDVI saturation in dense canopies. NDVI is<br />
known to be a better estimator of canopy closure (fraction of vegetation against bare soil) than total biomass<br />
production.<br />
(a)<br />
(b)<br />
Figure 6. Resolution by QuickBird of CRT and non-CRT fields in a typical smallholder setting.<br />
Sukumba, Mali. Excerpt from scene no. 50753 acquired Aug. 3, 2003. a. Panchromatic (CRT: green<br />
outline; non-CRT: red outline). b. Multispectral (R4G3B2 false color composite). Brighter reds<br />
correspond to strong photosynthetic activity.b<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
SIBWA (BMGF-Funded)<br />
Pierre Sibiry Traore<br />
Milestone: model grain and biomass gains from contour ridge tillage in a photoperiod sensitive cereal<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
Mali, Ghana, Niger, Burkina Faso<br />
Partner Institutions:<br />
IER, Mali<br />
Contour ridge tillage (CRT) has a particular potential for highly photoperiod (PP) sensitive germplasm, as it<br />
helps increase productivity through an extended crop cycle. Using original on-farm trial data from 1998-99, this<br />
354
study reported CRT-mediated yield (biomass) increases in the range +4 to +56% (+16 to +62%) for cotton,<br />
maize and millet/sorghum, averaged across a set of 6 fertilization levels (figure 7). While results may appear<br />
relatively inconsistent, they are deemed representative of average smallholder conditions: in the experiment all<br />
crop management beside fertilizer application (choice of species, cultivar, field preparation and maintenance)<br />
was as per usual farmer practice in these mixed cotton-cereal systems. Reduction in yield variability of maize is<br />
noteworthy for no-fertilizer application, suggesting CRT is a smallholder friendly technology. It should also be<br />
noted that expected effect of CRT is greater during drier years, while 1998 (1999) were normal (wet) years.<br />
A CERES-Millet version adapted for obligate PP response was calibrated for phenology of local (12.66°N)<br />
SaniobaB millet cultivar (PP sensitive: DOY 259±4 50% flowering for plantings on DOY 135; 166; 196; 227).<br />
Growth was calibrated using 1998 on-farm observations for the no fertilizer and +CaS fertilizer treatments in<br />
both CRT and non-CRT fields. Integration over the observed [1972-2001] climate from nearby Ségou (100 km<br />
east, synoptic station) was used to predict the effect of CRT / non-CRT, 2 fertilization levels and 2 planting<br />
dates on millet grain yield and biomass.<br />
Results (figure 8) suggest that, for millet cultivar SaniobaB: i) fertilizer application can increase (a1) biomass<br />
production by ~50% irrespective of climate, and can increase (a2) yields by up to 50% (for the 20% wettest<br />
years) as a monotonic function of moisture availability; ii) a +15 days planting delay will decrease (b1) biomass<br />
production by ~15% irrespective of climate, and (b2) yield by up to ~50% for dry to average (6 th decile) years;<br />
iii) CRT has more effect on biomass production during drier years in general, especially for (b1) fertilized fields<br />
and (b2) early planting dates; iv) CRT has more effect on yields when (b1) fertilizer is applied, somewhat more<br />
when (b2) planting is early and appears to bring important gains for the 30% driest years; v/ the approximation<br />
of CRT through combinations of slope and SCS curve number may not be realistic enough, and; vi/ staggered<br />
plantings occur typically up to 30 days, which is likely in increase planting date effects observed here.<br />
1<br />
0.9<br />
0.8<br />
0.7<br />
0.6<br />
0.5<br />
0.4<br />
0.3<br />
0.2<br />
0.1<br />
0<br />
Frequences<br />
CRT_Fert<br />
Yield (Kg/ha)<br />
Figure 7 Effects of contour ridge tillage (CRT)<br />
on millet yields on-farm. Check: no inputs. Fv:<br />
recommended NPK (S) application. PNT: Fv +<br />
natural phosphate. CaS: Fv + plaster. KCl: Fv +<br />
Kcl. Mix: Fv + mix of PNT, plaster<br />
Special Project funding:<br />
CODEWA (BMZ funded)<br />
Figure 8. Simulated effect of contour ridge tillage<br />
on millet yield cv SaniobaB in smallholder<br />
fields.1972-2001 climate, Ségou, Mali<br />
Pierre Sibiry Traore<br />
355
MTP Project 10:<br />
Project Coordinator:<br />
Virtual Academy for the Semi Arid Tropics in SAT Asia and WCA<br />
V Balaji (until 31 st August <strong>2010</strong>); Rex Navarro (from 1 st September)<br />
Summary:<br />
During the year, work commenced on digital content management was expanded to cover new topics, and was<br />
further diversified to support repositories of learning materials. A finalized set of techniques for micro-level<br />
drought vulnerability forecasting have been developed after elaborate tests. In a partnership, we carried out<br />
comprehensive testing of the uses of mobile telephony to deliver crop-related advisory and added a new layer of<br />
services to the Agropedia portal to create and deliver group-specific advisory to farmers. With partner’s support<br />
and advice, we finalized a set of tags to describe documents in agricultural research and extension and further<br />
supported the development of the AgroTagger, an online system to “read” and tag agricultural research<br />
documents, making it globally unique in the sector of agriculture as a whole.<br />
Output 10.1: ICT-mediated knowledge sharing strategy developed and implemented with partners and<br />
online, web-based repository of learning materials designed and developed in the public domain with<br />
appropriate capacity building<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 10.1.1 Design of a Blend of Tools in Knowledge Sharing<br />
Work reported in the earlier report (2009) on Agropedia design and development was continued, with a focus on<br />
refinements and feature additions. As stated earlier, Agropedia (http://agropedia.net) is built on the Open Source<br />
Drupal content management platform with Wiki and blogging features. At its core is the deployment of crop<br />
knowledge models for nine crops (which include models for all the five mandate crops of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>). Agropedia<br />
has semantic features enabled so that a much closer relationship between concepts as contrasted with<br />
words/strings of letters is achieved. Search results can offer outputs from different languages.<br />
During <strong>2010</strong>, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> led the final stages of development of a comprehensive architecture for agricultural<br />
information services and knowledge management, involving aggregation of information from multiple sources<br />
and delivery/exchange with different stakeholders in multiple modes including rural information kiosks or<br />
individually-owned cell phones. A non-detailed view emerging from experiences specific to VASAT in India is<br />
provided in Figure 1.<br />
Figure 10.1 Research Extension Farmer Continuum<br />
What emerges from VASAT work in the last three years is that present IT potential and solutions for the<br />
agricultural research, education and extension sectors, as widely understood among IARC’s, are largely<br />
inadequate for the scale and complexity of requirements. New architectures for impact-oriented information<br />
services are necessary for this sector. Our work with GFAR in organizing a pre-GCARD global workshop on<br />
356
knowledge sharing in agriculture (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>, Dec 2009) revealed the significant gaps between necessary and<br />
available technologies in this regard (GFAR-<strong>ICRISAT</strong> proceedings available at<br />
http://test1.icrisat.org/Training/ICR_ARD_CM.htm)).Clearly, NARES, IARCS’s, ARI’s and international<br />
organizations need to form specific partnerships to address this challenge, with ICT resource institutions playing<br />
the roles of solution providers and not as providers of just contractual or consulting services.<br />
Design of an advanced online repository for extension-oriented learning materials<br />
VASAT has a historical strength in being a pioneer in deploying and testing new techniques in digital content<br />
management, oriented towards extension communication and learning. For long, VASAT has advocated<br />
granularity in generation of extension materials since practicing farmers and allied stakeholders are known not<br />
to have the time or opportunity to study complex documents. A set of techniques broadly called development of<br />
re-usable learning objects (RLO) came into prominence in the earlier part of the decade. VASAT has harnessed<br />
this approach in a number of training programs for faculty of agricultural universities. It was also ingrained in<br />
the Agrocuri initiative. A multi-stakeholder workshop was held in May 2009 in collaboration with the U Florida<br />
and the discussions there led to <strong>ICRISAT</strong> taking the initiative to formulate a consortium to deploy the practice<br />
of RLO’s in agricultural extension. Three Open and Distance Learning (ODL) institutions came forward to join<br />
the consortium, namely, the School of Agriculture of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU),<br />
School of Agriculture of the YC Maharashtra OU (YCMOU) and the ODL Directorate of Tamil Nadu<br />
Agricultural University (TNAU). The Consortium was formulated to test various processes for rapid creation of<br />
learning materials in support of pre-university education for practicing farmers in horticulture nursery<br />
management, high value crop production, Integrated Pest Management in Agro-horticulture, Integrated Nutrient<br />
Management in Agro-horticulture and post harvest value addition in Agro-horticulture. This repository has been<br />
prototyped during <strong>2010</strong> and was presented to the partners for review and testing. It has the following features:<br />
• Search interface,<br />
• Content Index, Browse<br />
• Create a Course and view it.<br />
• Separate Handlers/Players for different file type like: doc, ppt, flv, mp4, ogg, pdf, jpg, png, gif<br />
• Chat Interfaces (Public & Private)<br />
• Google Analytics<br />
Based on their inputs, the finalized online repository has been made available on the Web at www.agrilore.org. .<br />
Figure 10.2 Screenshot of Agrilore portal containing draft RLO’s<br />
357
This repository is also semantically enabled to reflect the subject matter specificity (in this case, horticultural<br />
crops). More importantly, it allows a user of a learning material to judge the educational and training value of a<br />
resource, even as it allows the user to connect with other users of the same material. These features are<br />
unprecedented in the sector of agriculture and will prove to be breakthrough in the medium term.<br />
AGROVOC Revision and Building of AgroTags<br />
An important development during this year was the completion of the comprehensive revision of the<br />
AGROVOC in English which was completed by <strong>ICRISAT</strong>, thus making an important IPG even more current<br />
and effective. As of December <strong>2010</strong> the quantitative results of the revision process are:<br />
Terms<br />
Before revision (nos.)<br />
Dec 2009<br />
After revision (nos.)<br />
Dec <strong>2010</strong><br />
Broader Term (BT) 28625 33161<br />
Narrower Term (NT) 28617 33161<br />
Related Term (RT) 28219 46214<br />
USE 19158 Completely revised with<br />
proper relations<br />
USE For (UF) 17386 Completely revised with<br />
proper relations<br />
The AGROVOC effort at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> also led to the development of AgroTags, a semantically-related subset of<br />
terms in AGROVOC (English) that are relevant to agricultural research sector<br />
Figure 10.3 Terms at first hierarchical level of Agrovoc and Agrotags<br />
A highly significant development based on AgroTags is an automatic tagging system for research documents in<br />
agriculture. Called AgroTagger, this has been prototyped and developed by the Indian Institute of Technology<br />
Kanpur, and is available as an online service for ANY institution in the world and is further available as a plug-<br />
358
in for the Open Source DSpace that is used for hosting institutional repositories world wide. These are IPG’s in<br />
every sense of the term and are wholly unprecedented.<br />
Figure 10.4 Agrotagger – an automatic keyword assignment system (available as open source application<br />
via Google projects)<br />
Figure 10.5: <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Institutional Repository with Agrotags<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 10.2 New approaches for enhanced access to <strong>ICRISAT</strong> IPG’s developed, tested and<br />
shared with partners<br />
In Agrovoc phase II <strong>ICRISAT</strong> extensively tested the VocBench portal in its beta version. All the issues noted<br />
during such testing have been reported in online project issue tracker (http://code.google.com/p/agrovoc-csworkbench/issues/list).<br />
VocBench (http://agrovoc.mimos.my/vocbenchv1.1i/) is a web-based multilingual<br />
vocabulary management tool developed by FAO. Nearly 2000 definitions and related images were collected<br />
offline with specific format (provided by FAO) including source, image/definition, and date of collection etc.<br />
from relevant and authenticated sources (in particular, MeSH, WordNet, FAO Glossary of terms etc.) . Nearly<br />
359
70% of the Agrovoc terms have been translated in order to develop the Telugu version of Agrovoc, the primary<br />
language of Andhra Pradesh state of India spoken by 84 million people (as per Census of India, <strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Figure 10.6 Screenshot of VocBench portal published by FAO in partnership with <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
10.2.1 Trials with delivering advisory information over mobile telephony<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> facilitated the use of mobile telephony (voice and text) using the Web-based aAQUA platform<br />
(www.aaqua.org) in 2009. At the later stage in <strong>2010</strong>, this was further integrated with call center technology with<br />
Agropedia as the content platform. Analysis of callback and disconnection by the users was carried out in detail<br />
by partner, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. The results show that the optimal duration of the voice clip<br />
should be about 40 seconds. Longer clips are not listened to fully, this is based on an analysis of nearly 990 000<br />
transactions,<br />
Fig 10.7 Statistical analysis of voice-over-mobile services provided through aAQUA in one linguistic<br />
region<br />
360
10.2.2 Tests and trials on the use of online fertilizer recommendation systems at farm level<br />
Following the development of geo-spatial information techniques to visually represent soil nutrient information,<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> facilitated the development of an online system for fertilizer recommendation for testing in the north<br />
eastern zone of Karnataka State, India. The design was carried out by the IIITM-Kerala while the University of<br />
Agricultural Sciences- Raichur, Karnataka, conducted a comprehensive deployment and trial with 1897 farmers<br />
covering 19 crops. During the year, 1160 farm-level fertilizer recommendation reports were generated. Impact<br />
studies carried out by UASR showed that the adoption of the recommendations was highest among groundnut<br />
and cotton farmers, particularly the adoption of recommended fertilizer application (100 % in groundnut and 71<br />
% in cotton over 0% before OFR ) The adoption of bio fertilizer application was 62% in rice followed by 43%<br />
in cotton over 0% before OFR. This is an example of how a complete chain of information services can be built<br />
from expert-level data sets to offer farm-level advisory.<br />
Table 1. Adoption levels of online fertilizer recommendation (OFR) by farmers at UAS Raichur (in<br />
percentage)<br />
Sl. Crop Recommended Split application Bio fertilizer Organic manure<br />
No.<br />
Nutrients applied of ‘N’<br />
application application<br />
Percentage<br />
Before<br />
OFR<br />
After<br />
OFR<br />
Before<br />
OFR<br />
After<br />
OFR<br />
Before<br />
OFR<br />
After<br />
OFR<br />
Before<br />
OFR<br />
After<br />
OFR<br />
1. Paddy 0 62 100 100 0 62 100 100<br />
2. Groundnut 0 100 50 75 0 0 75 100<br />
3. Safflower 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0<br />
4. sunflower 0 50 100 100 0 0 0 0<br />
5. Sugarcane 0 25 100 100 0 0 0 0<br />
6. Cotton 0 71 85 100 0 43 86 100<br />
10.2. Use of GIS derived products for drought vulnerability assessment and preparedness supported by<br />
using ICT based agro advisory.<br />
With the widespread availability of mobile phone networks and handsets, in rural areas, text/SMS solutions<br />
were tried out. The granularised text content extracted from RLO’s has been sent through text/SMS mode in<br />
Telugu, the local language. Relevant farm advisories were also sent according to the crop calendar for the kharif<br />
season. Only viable or working numbers were used and 123 volunteers opted to receive the messages and<br />
participate in subsequent analyses. Since video conferencing requires volunteers and farmers to move to a<br />
central location, imposing an overhead, we have also set up an audio-conferencing facility that enables several<br />
people to hear an expert via speaker phone. This has been introduced less than a year back, and is found to be<br />
even more popular since it can be carried by a volunteer to any village where a mobile or landline connection is<br />
available. During <strong>2010</strong>, we conducted 57 videoconference sessions of 2 hours each and 35 audio conference<br />
sessions of one hour. In these session experts discussed about protection and production practices of crops like<br />
castor, finger millet, paddy, groundnut, vegetables along with livestock. The records are maintained by the<br />
Adrasha Mahila Samaikhya (AMS) located at Adakkal Mandal, Andhra Pradesh State. Adakkal lies between<br />
latitudes 16 o 28’ 28.3’ to 16 o 41’ 1.98”N and longitudes 77 o 2’ 47.34” to 78 o 2’ 46”. This organization maintains<br />
videoconference at the hub and audio conferences in different villages. It was found that audio/video conference<br />
based agro-advisory, benefits more farmers with in-time solutions from experts when compared to conventional<br />
advisory. This audio/video conference based agro-advisory can be more effective particularly in a country like<br />
India, where one agriculture extension officer is available for approximately 20 villages covering 6000 farmers.<br />
After considering India Meteorological Department (http://www.imd.gov.in/) and International Research<br />
Institute for Climate and Society (http://portal.iri.columbia.edu/portal/server.pt), Columbia prediction, <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
released drought vulnerability map of the 450 mm scenario along with the long range prediction of rainfall. This<br />
prediction was made available by <strong>ICRISAT</strong> to rural communities in Adakkal Mandal, Mahabubnagar District<br />
(http://vasat.icrisat.ac.in/images/Adakkal%20location.JPG ) through Village Knowledge centers. The<br />
predicted rainfall was validated with the observed rainfall data recorded by village network assistants and<br />
uploaded on VASAT Wiki site. It was observed that the recorded rainfall was very much close to the predicted<br />
values. This study has shown that local seasonal weather predictions along with ICT based agro-advisory on<br />
crop planning is of great use for smallholder farmers of Semi-arid tropics. Impact study was conducted to know<br />
about <strong>ICRISAT</strong>’s predication on micro-level drought preparedness. Random samples of 20 to 25 people per<br />
village (around 450 farmers) were interviewed in 21 village of Adakkal Mandal. From the survey and analysis,<br />
361
we concluded that almost 65 percent of the farmers found the drought-related advisory services useful, and were<br />
able to switch from normal cropping pattern to castor, pearl millet which withstood the drought. More than 60<br />
per cent of the cultivation costs for these farmers were saved because of the new advisory services. In one of the<br />
village more than 50% of the farmers shifted from paddy to drought resistant crops like castor and peal millet<br />
for kharif season (http://youtu.be/lm2IyXeYVXQ).<br />
Impact pathways<br />
Figure 10. 8 Micro level drought vulnerability scenarios developed for <strong>2010</strong><br />
All activities were designed to operate in a partnership mode:<br />
--a comprehensive architecture of information services in the stakeholder continuum from farmer to research<br />
institutions has been developed<br />
--three new online systems, for learning support, for fertilizer recommendations and for tagging research<br />
documents have been built and shared with partners<br />
--practice of crop knowledge models is now mainstreamed to include more crops and institutions<br />
--comprehensive test results for deploying mobile/voice telephony in agricultural extension have been made<br />
available.<br />
--AGROVOC has been comprehensively revised and placed on an online platform hosted by FAO.<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 10.1.1 Platform installed in 3 partner organizations:<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100% (Agropedia, Agrilore )<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India: Five States with population more than 25 millions: Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh<br />
Tamilnadu, Maharashtra; one with less than 25 million population: Uttarakhand; languages covered: five<br />
besides English<br />
362
Participating Partners:<br />
Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur, University of Agricultural Sciences- Raichur, GB Pant University for<br />
Agriculture and Tech, National Academy for Agricultural Research Management, Directorate of Open and<br />
Distance Learning, Tamilnadu Agricultural University, Coimbtore, School of Agriculture, Indira Gandhi<br />
National Open University, New Delhi , School of Agricultural Sciences, Yashwantrao Chavan<br />
MaharashtraOpen University - Nashik<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Indian Council of Agricultural Research<br />
Output 10.2: New approaches for enhanced access to <strong>ICRISAT</strong> IPG’s developed, tested and shared with<br />
partners<br />
Output target <strong>2010</strong> 10.2.1 New approaches based on web and mobile telephony tested for localization with<br />
two partners:<br />
Achievement of Output Target:<br />
100%<br />
Countries Involved:<br />
India (both web and mobile telephony);<br />
Participating Partners:<br />
Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, University of Agricultural Sciences-Raichur, GB Pant University for<br />
Agriculture and Technology, IIT Kanpur, Adarsha Mahila Samaikhya (AMS)<br />
Special Project Funding:<br />
Global- Food and Agricultural Organization of United Nations; National- Indian Council of Agricultural<br />
Research.<br />
363
Publications<br />
Journal articles publised in Thomson Scientific/ISI Master Jounral List<br />
(http://www.thomsonscientific.com/cgi-bin/jrnlst/jloptions.cgi?PC=master)<br />
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
1. 0238-0161 Acta Agronomica<br />
Hungarica<br />
2. 0137-5881 Acta Physilogiae<br />
Plantarum<br />
3. 1991-637X African Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
4. 1991-637X African Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
5. 1991-637X African Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
SHARMA SHIVALI, Chaudhary HK and Sethi<br />
GS. <strong>2010</strong>. In vitro and in vivo screening for<br />
drought tolerance in winter x spring wheat<br />
doubled haploids derived through chromosome<br />
elimination. Acta Agronomica Hungarica 58:301-<br />
312.<br />
Kumar S, Malik J, Thakur P, Kaistha S,<br />
Sharma KD, Upadhyaya HD, Berger JD and<br />
Nayyar H. <strong>2010</strong>. Growth and Metabolic<br />
Responses of Contrasting Chickpea (Cicer<br />
arietinum L.) Genotypes to Chilling Stress at<br />
Reproductive Phase. Acta Physilogiae Plantarum<br />
1-9: DOI 10.1007/s11738-010-0602-y.<br />
Ajeigbe HA, Singh BB, Ezeaku IE and Adeosun<br />
JO. <strong>2010</strong>. On-farm evaluation of improved<br />
cowpea-cereals cropping systems for croplivestock<br />
farmers: Cereals-cowpea systems in<br />
Sudan Savanna zone of Nigeria. African Journal<br />
of Agricultural Research 5(17):2297-2304.<br />
Available online at<br />
http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR.<br />
Ajeigbe HA, Singh BB, Adeosun JO and Ezeaku<br />
IE. <strong>2010</strong>. Participatory on-farm evaluation of<br />
improved legume-cereals cropping systems for<br />
crop-livestock farmers: Maize-double cowpea in<br />
Northern Guinea Savanna Zone of Nigeria.<br />
African Journal of Agricultural Research<br />
5(16):2080-2088. Available online at<br />
http://www.academicjournals.org/AJAR.<br />
BELLOSTAS NATALIA, Sorensen Christian<br />
Jens, Nikiema Albert, Sorensen Hilmer,<br />
Pasternak Dov and Kumar Sanjeet. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Glucosinolate in leaves of Moringa species<br />
grown and disseminated in Niger. African Journal<br />
of Agricultural Research 5(11):1338-1340.<br />
364
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
6. 1991-637X African Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
7. 1684-5315 African Journal of<br />
Biotechnology<br />
8. 1684-5315 African Journal of<br />
Biotechnology<br />
9. 1684-5315 African Journal of<br />
Biotechnology<br />
10. 0021-857X Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
11. 0378-3774 Agricultural Water<br />
Management<br />
12. 0378-3774 Agricultural Water<br />
Management<br />
Kumar S, DAGNOKO S, Haougui A, Ratnadass<br />
A, Pasternak D and Kouame C. <strong>2010</strong>. Okra<br />
(Abelmoschus spp.) in West and Central Africa:<br />
Potential and progress on its improvement.<br />
African Journal of Agricultural Research<br />
5(25):3590-3598.<br />
Gopalakrishnan S, Kannan IGK, ALEKHYA G,<br />
Humayun P, SREE VIDYA M and DEEPTHI K.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Efficacy of Jatropha, Annona and<br />
Parthenium biowash on Sclerotium rolfsii, FOC<br />
and M. phaseolina pathogens of chickpea and<br />
sorghum. African Journal of Biotechnology<br />
9(47):8048-8057.<br />
Pande S, SHARMA M, Kishore GK, Shivram L<br />
and NAGA MANGALA U. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Characterization of Botrytis cinerea isolates from<br />
chickpea: DNA polymorphisms, cultural,<br />
morphological and virulence characteristics.<br />
African Journal of Biotechnology 9(46):7961-<br />
7967. Available online at<br />
http://www.academicjournals.org/AJB<br />
SUSAN MM, Quinata E, Sharma KK, Simon T,<br />
Gichuki MG and SANTIE M DE VILLIERS.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Surface sterilant effect on the regeneration<br />
efficiency from cotyledon explants of groundnut<br />
(Arachis hypogea L.) varieties adapted to eastern<br />
and southern Africa. African Journal of<br />
Biotechnology 9(20):2866-2871.<br />
SCHIPMANN C and Qaim M. <strong>2010</strong>. Spillovers<br />
from modern supply chains to traditional markets:<br />
product innovation and adoption by smallholders.<br />
Agricultural Economics 41:3-4:361-371.<br />
Rockstrom J, LOUISE KARLBERG, Wani SP,<br />
JENNI BARRON, Nuhu Hatibu, Theib Oweis,<br />
Adriana Bruggeman, Jalali Farahani and Zhu<br />
Qiang. <strong>2010</strong>. Managing water in rainfed<br />
agriculture – The need for a paradigm shift.<br />
Agricultural Water Management 97:543-550.<br />
Sahrawat KL, Wani SP, Pathak P and Rego TJ.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Managing natural resources of watersheds<br />
in the semi-arid tropics for improved soil and<br />
365
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
water quality: A review. Agricultural Water<br />
Management 97:375-381.<br />
13. 0972-2963 Animal Nutrition<br />
and Feed<br />
Technology<br />
14. 0972-2963 Animal Nutrition<br />
and Feed<br />
Technology<br />
15. 0003-4746 Annals of Applied<br />
Biology<br />
Nigam SN and Blummel M. <strong>2010</strong>. Cultivardependent<br />
variation in food-feed-traits in<br />
groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Animal<br />
Nutrition and Feed Technology 10S:39-48.<br />
Prasad KVSV, Khan AA, Vellaikumar S,<br />
Devulapalli R, Ramakrishna Reddy Ch, Nigam<br />
SN and Blummel M. <strong>2010</strong>. Observations on<br />
livestock productivity in sheep fed exclusively on<br />
haulms from ten different genotypes of<br />
groundnut. Animal Nutrition and Feed<br />
Technology 10S:121-126.<br />
HAMADINA EI, Craufurd PQ, Battey NH and<br />
Asiedu R. <strong>2010</strong>. In vitro micro-tuber initiation<br />
and dormancy in yam. Annals of Applied Biology<br />
doi:10.1111/j.1744-7348.<strong>2010</strong>.00418.x<br />
Evaluation of stratification criteria for regional<br />
scale assessment of soil chemical fertility<br />
parameters in semi-arid tropical India.<br />
Communications in Soil Science and Plant<br />
Analysis 41:2100-2108.<br />
16. 0306-2619 Applied Energy Divakara BN, Upadhyaya HD, Wani SP and<br />
Laxmipathi Gowda CL. <strong>2010</strong>. Biology and<br />
genetics improvement of Jatropha curcas L: A<br />
review. Applied Energy 87:732-742.<br />
17. 0323-5408 Archives of<br />
Phytopathology<br />
and Plant<br />
Protection<br />
18. Australian Journal<br />
of Agricultural<br />
Engineering<br />
19. 1991-8178 Australian Journal<br />
of Basic and<br />
Applied Sciences<br />
Sharma R, Rao VP, Varshney RK, Prasanth VP,<br />
KANNAN S and Thakur RP. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Characterization of pathogenic and molecular<br />
diversity in Sclerospora graminicola, the causal<br />
agent of pearl millet downy mildew. Archives of<br />
Phytopathology and Plant Protection 43:538–551.<br />
Dixit PN and Chen D. <strong>2010</strong>. Impact of spatially<br />
variable soil salinity on crop physiological<br />
properties, soil water content and yield of wheat<br />
in a semi arid environment. Australian Journal of<br />
Agricultural Engineering 1(3):93-100.<br />
Tajgarden T, Ayoubi S, Shataee S and<br />
Sahrawat KL. <strong>2010</strong>. Soil surface salinity<br />
prediction using ASTER data: Comparing<br />
366
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
statistical and geostatistical models. Australian<br />
Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences 4: 457-<br />
467.<br />
20. 1932-104X Biofuels,<br />
Bioproducts and<br />
Biorefining<br />
21. 1537-5110 Biosystems<br />
Engineering<br />
22. 1471-2229 BMC Plant<br />
Biology<br />
23. 1471-2229 BMC Plant<br />
Biology<br />
24. 1471-2229 BMC Plant<br />
Biology<br />
25. 1471-2229 BMC Plant<br />
Biology<br />
26. 0133-3720 Cereal Research<br />
Communications<br />
Garg KK, KARLBERG LOUISE, Wani Suhas P<br />
and Berndes Göran. <strong>2010</strong>. Biofuel production on<br />
wastelands in India: opportunities and trade-offs<br />
for soil and water management at the watershed<br />
scale. Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. 1-<br />
34.<br />
Dixit PN and Chen D. <strong>2010</strong>. Farm Scale Zoning<br />
of Extreme Temperatures in the Southern Mallee,<br />
Victoria, Australia. Biosystems Engineering<br />
105:198-204.<br />
Koppolu R, Upadhyaya HD, Dwivedi SL,<br />
Hoisington DA and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic<br />
relationships among seven sections of Genus<br />
Arachis studied by SSR markers. BMC Plant<br />
Biology 10:15. Doi:10.1186/1471-2229-10-15.<br />
Raju NL, Gnanesh BN, LEKHA PT, BALAJI J,<br />
Pande S, Byregowda M, Singh NK and<br />
Varshney RK <strong>2010</strong>. The first set of EST resource<br />
for gene discovery and marker development in<br />
pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan L.). BMC Plant<br />
Biology 10:45 (doi:10.1186/1471-2229-10-45).<br />
Ravi K, Upadhyaya HD, Dwivedi SL, Hoisington<br />
DA and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic<br />
relationships among 7 sections of genus Arachis<br />
studied by using SSR markers. BMC Plant<br />
Biology 10:1.<br />
Stich B, HAUSSMANN BIG, Pasam R, Bhosale<br />
S, Hash CT, Melchinger AE and Parzies H. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Patterns of molecular and phenotypic diversity in<br />
pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]<br />
from West and Central Africa and their relation to<br />
geographical and environmental parameters.<br />
BMC Plant Biology 10:216.<br />
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3<br />
017833/?tool=pubmed<br />
Yadav D, Gupta SK, Kulkarni VN, Rai KN and<br />
Behl RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Inheritance of A1 system of<br />
cytoplasmic nuclear male sterility in pearl millet<br />
367
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
[Pennisetum glaucum (L). R. Br.]. Cereal<br />
Research Communications 38:285–293.<br />
27. 0045-6535 Chemosphere Ramu K, Isobe T, Takahashi S, KIM E-Y, Min<br />
B-Y, We S-U, Tanabe S. <strong>2010</strong>. Spatial<br />
distribution of polybrominated diphenyl ethers<br />
and hexabromocyclododecanes in sediments from<br />
coastal waters of Korea. Chemosphere 79:713-<br />
719.<br />
28. 0010-3624<br />
eISSN:<br />
1532-2416<br />
29. 0010-3624<br />
eISSN:<br />
1532-2416<br />
30. 0010-3624<br />
eISSN:<br />
1532-2416<br />
Communications<br />
in Soil Science and<br />
Plant Analysis<br />
Communications<br />
in Soil Science and<br />
Plant Analysis<br />
Communications<br />
in Soil Science and<br />
Plant Analysis<br />
Rajashekhara Rao BK, Srinivasarao Ch,<br />
Sahrawat KL and Wani SP. <strong>2010</strong>. Evaluation of<br />
stratification criteria for regional scale assessment<br />
of soil chemical fertility parameters in semi-arid<br />
tropical India. Communications in Soil Science<br />
and Plant Analysis 41:2100-2108.<br />
Sahrawat KL, Wani SP, Pardhasaradhi G and<br />
Murthy KVS. <strong>2010</strong>. Diagnosis of secondary and<br />
micronutrient deficiencies and their management<br />
in rainfed agroecosystems: case study from<br />
Indian semi-arid tropics. Communications in Soil<br />
Science and Plant Analysis 41:346-360.<br />
Sahrawat KL, Jones MP, Diatta S and Sika M.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Phosphorus response of Oryza sativa, O.<br />
glaberrima, and hybrid rice cultivars on an<br />
Ultisol. Communications in Soil Science and<br />
Plant Analysis 41:1445-1453.<br />
31. 0168-1699 Computers and<br />
Electronics in<br />
Agriculture<br />
32. 1836-5795 Crop and Pasture<br />
Science<br />
33. 1518-7853 Crop Breeding and<br />
Applied<br />
Biotechnology<br />
Dixit PN and Chen D. <strong>2010</strong>. Modification of a<br />
Spatially Referenced Crop Model to Simulate the<br />
Effect of Spatial Pattern of Subsoil Salinity.<br />
Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 74:313-<br />
320.<br />
Sharma R, Deshpande SP, Senthilvel S, Rao VP,<br />
Rajaram V, Hash CT and Thakur RP. <strong>2010</strong>. SSR<br />
allelic diversity in relation to morphological traits<br />
among grain mold resistant and susceptible lines<br />
in sorghum. Crop and Pasture Science 61:230-<br />
240.<br />
Ojulong H, Labuschagne MT, Herselman L and<br />
Fregene M. <strong>2010</strong>. Yield traits as selection indices<br />
in seedling populations of cassava. Crop Breeding<br />
and Applied Biotechnology 10:191-196.<br />
368
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
34. 0011-183X Crop Science DEVI JM, Sinclair TR and Vadez V. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Genotypic Variation in Peanut (Arachis hypogaea<br />
L.) for Transpiration Sensitivity to Atmospheric<br />
Vapor Pressure Deficit. Crop Science 50:191–<br />
196.<br />
35. 0011-183X Crop Science Jagadish SVK, CAIRNS J, LAFITTE R,<br />
Wheeler TR, Price AH and Craufurd PQ. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Genetic analysis of heat tolerance at anthesis in<br />
rice (Oryza sativa L.). Crop Science 50:1-9.<br />
36. 0011-183X Crop Science Upadhyaya HD, Sharma NDRK, Ravishankar<br />
CR, Albrecht T, Narasimhudu Y, Singh SK,<br />
Varshney SK, Reddy VG, Singh S, Dwivedi SL,<br />
Wanyera N, Oduori COA, MGONJA MA,<br />
Kisandu DB, Parzies HK and Gowda CLL. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Developing mini core collection in finger millet<br />
using multi-location data. Crop Science 50:1924-<br />
1931.<br />
37. 1836-5795 Crops and Pasture<br />
Science<br />
38. 1369-5266 Current Opinion in<br />
Plant Biology<br />
39. 1369-5266 Current Opinion in<br />
Plant Biology<br />
40. 0098-8472 Environmental and<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
Upadhyaya HD, SHARMA S, Ramulu B,<br />
BHATTACHARJEE R, Gowda CLL, Reddy VG<br />
and Singh S. <strong>2010</strong>. Variation for qualitative and<br />
quantitative traits and identification of traitspecific<br />
sources in new sorghum germplasm.<br />
Crops and Pasture Science 61(8):609-618.<br />
Cook DR and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. From genome<br />
studies to agricultural biotechnology: closing the<br />
gap between basic plant science and applied<br />
agriculture. Current Opinion in Plant Biology<br />
13:115-118.<br />
Glaszmann JC, Kilian B, Upadhyaya HD and<br />
Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Accessing genetic diversity<br />
for crop improvement. Current Opinion in Plant<br />
Biology 13:167-173.<br />
Rang ZW, Jagadish SVK, Zhou QM, Craufurd<br />
PQ and HEUER, S. <strong>2010</strong>. Effect of Heat and<br />
Drought Stress on Pollen Germination and<br />
Spikelet Fertility in Rice. Environmental and<br />
Experimental Botany 70:58-65.<br />
41. 0014-2336 Euphytica BHARDWAJ R, Sandhu JS, KAUR L, Gupta<br />
SK, Gaur PM and Varshney R. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetics of<br />
369
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
ascochyta blight resistance in chickpea.<br />
Euphytica 171:337-343.<br />
42. 0014-2336 Euphytica Dalvi VA, Saxena KB, Luo RH, and Li YR.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. An overview of male-sterility systems in<br />
pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.].<br />
Euphytica 173:397-407.<br />
43. 0014-2336 Euphytica Kassahun B, Bidinger FR, Hash CT and<br />
Kuruvinashetti S. <strong>2010</strong>. Stay-green expression<br />
in early generation sorghum [Sorghum bicolor<br />
(L.) Moench] QTL introgression lines. Euphytica<br />
172:351–362. DOI: 10.1007/s10681-009-0108-0.<br />
44. 0014-2336 Euphytica Saxena KB and Kumar RV. <strong>2010</strong>. Insect-aided<br />
natural out-crossing in four wild relatives of<br />
pigeonpea. Euphytica 173:329-335.<br />
45. 0014-2336 Euphytica Thudi M, Senthilvel S, Bottley A, Hash CT,<br />
Reddy AR, Feltus AF, Paterson AH, Hoisington<br />
DA and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. A comparative<br />
assessment of the utility of PCR-based marker<br />
systems in pearl millet. Euphytica 174:253-260.<br />
46. 0014-2336 Euphytica Upadhyaya HD, SHARMA SHIVALI, Singh<br />
Sube and Singh Murari. <strong>2010</strong>. Inheritance of<br />
drought resistance related traits in two crosses of<br />
groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.). Euphytica<br />
177:55-66.<br />
47. 0929-1873 European Journal<br />
of Plant Pathology<br />
48. 0929-1873 European Journal<br />
of Plant Pathology<br />
49. 1351-0754 European Journal<br />
of Soil Science<br />
SHARMA M, Pande S and Abhishek Rathore<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Effect of growth stages of chickpea on the<br />
genetic resistance of Ascochyta blight. European<br />
Journal of Plant Pathology 128:325-331, DOI<br />
10.1007/s10658-010-9641-x<br />
Thakur RP, Rao VP and Sharma R. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Influence of dosage, storage time and temperature<br />
on efficacy of metalaxyl-treated seed for the<br />
control of pearl millet downy mildew. European<br />
Journal of Plant Pathology 129:353-359 DOI<br />
10.1007/s10658-010-9679-9.<br />
Mapanda F, MUPINI J, Wuta W, Nyamangara J<br />
and Rees RM. <strong>2010</strong>. A cross-ecosystem<br />
assessment of the effects of land cover and land<br />
370
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
use on soil emission of selected greenhouse gases<br />
and related soil properties in Zimbabwe.<br />
European Journal of Soil Science 61:721-733.<br />
(DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2389.<strong>2010</strong>.01266.x).<br />
50. 0014-4797 Experimental<br />
Agriculture<br />
51. 0014-4797 Experimental<br />
Agriculture<br />
Dixit PN, Cooper PJM, Dimes J and Rao KPC.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Adding value to field-based agronomic<br />
research through climate risk assessment: a case<br />
study of maize production in Kitale, Kenya.<br />
Experimental Agriculture 47:317-338.<br />
PADMAJA K and Vadez V. <strong>2010</strong>. Seed coating<br />
with phosphorus in Pearl millet improves early<br />
stage plant vigor and yield in low P fertility soils.<br />
Experimental Agriculture 46:457-469.<br />
52. 0014-4797 Experimental<br />
Agriculture<br />
53. 0014-4797 Experimental<br />
Agriculture<br />
54. 0014-4797 Experimental<br />
Agriculture<br />
55. 0378-4290 Field Crops<br />
Research<br />
56. 0378-4290 Field Crops<br />
Research<br />
Rao KPC, Ndegwa WG, Kizito K and Oyoo A.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Climate variability and change: Farmer<br />
perceptions and understanding of intra-seasonal<br />
variability in rainfall and associated risk in semiarid<br />
Kenya. Experimental Agriculture 47: 1-25.<br />
Senda TS, Peden D, HOMANN-KEE TUI S,<br />
Sisito G, Van Rooyen A, Sikosana JLN. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Gendered livelihood implications for<br />
improvement of livestock water productivity in<br />
Zimbabwe. Experimental Agriculture 46:1–13 C_<br />
Cambridge University Press <strong>2010</strong>,<br />
doi:10.1017/S0014479710000943<br />
Sibanda A, HOMANN-KEE TUI S, Van Rooyen<br />
A, Dimes J, Nkomboni D and Sisito G.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>.Understanding user communities<br />
perceptions of land use changes in the rangelands,<br />
Zimbabwe. Experimental Agriculture 46:1–16 C_<br />
Cambridge University Press <strong>2010</strong>,<br />
doi:10.1017/S001447971000092X<br />
Krishnamurthy L, Kashiwagi J, Gaur PM,<br />
Upadhyaya HD and Vadez V. <strong>2010</strong>. Sources of<br />
tolerance to terminal drought in the chickpea<br />
(Cicer arietinum L.) minicore germplasm. Field<br />
Crops Research 119:322-330.<br />
Upadhyaya HD, Ramesh S, SHARMA SHIVALI,<br />
Singh SK, Varshney SK, Sarma NDRK,<br />
Ravishankar CR, Narasimhudu Y, Reddy VG,<br />
371
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
Sahrawat KL, DHANALAKSHMI TN,<br />
MGONJA MA, Parzies HK, Gowda CLL and<br />
Singh Sube. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic diversity for grain<br />
nutrients contents in a core collection of finger<br />
millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.)<br />
germplasm. Field Crops Research 121:42-52.<br />
57. 0378-4290 Field Crops<br />
Research<br />
58. 0378-4290 Field Crops<br />
Research<br />
59. 0925-9864 Genetic Resources<br />
and Crop<br />
Evolution<br />
60. 0925-9864 Genetic Resources<br />
and Crop<br />
Evolution<br />
61. 0925-9864 Genetic Resources<br />
and Crop<br />
Evolution<br />
62. 0925-9864 Genetic Resources<br />
and Crop<br />
Evolution<br />
VOM BROCKE K, Trouche G, WELTZIEN E,<br />
BARRO-KONDOMBO CP, Gozé E and<br />
Chantereau J. <strong>2010</strong>. Participatory variety<br />
development for sorghum in Burkina Faso:<br />
Farmers’ selection and farmers’ criteria. Field<br />
Crops Research 119:183-194.<br />
Zeid M, YU JK, Goldowitz I, Denton ME,<br />
Costich DE, Jayasuriya CT, Saha M, Elshire<br />
R, Benscher D, Breseghello F, Munkvold J,<br />
Varshney RK, Belay G and Sorrells ME. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Cross-amplification of EST-derived markers<br />
among 16 grass species. Field Crops Research<br />
118:28-35.<br />
Mutegi E, Sagnard F, Muraya M, Kanyenji B,<br />
Rono B, MWONGERA C, Marangu C, Kamau<br />
J, Parzies H, DE VILLIERS S, Semagn K, Traoré<br />
PS, LABUSCHAGNE M. <strong>2010</strong>. Ecogeographical<br />
distribution of wild, weedy and cultivated<br />
Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench in Kenya:<br />
Implications for conservation and crop-to-wild<br />
gene flow. Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution<br />
75:243-253.<br />
MALLIKARJUNA N, Senthilvel S and<br />
Hoisington D. <strong>2010</strong>. Development of new sources<br />
of tetraploid Arachis to broaden the genetic base<br />
of cultivated groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.).<br />
Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution. DOI<br />
10.1007/s10722-010-9627-8.<br />
Salem KFM, Varshney RK, RÖDER MS and<br />
Börner A. <strong>2010</strong>. EST-SSR based estimates on<br />
functional genetic variation in a barley (Hordeum<br />
vulgare L.) collection from Egypt. Genetic<br />
Resources and Crop Evolution 57:515-521.<br />
WEN W, Taba S, Shah T, Victor H, Tovar C and<br />
Yan J. <strong>2010</strong>. Detection of genetic integrity of<br />
conserved maize (Zea mays L.) germplasm in<br />
372
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
genebanks using SNP markers. Genetic<br />
Resources and Crop Evolution 58:189-207 DOI<br />
10.1007/s10722-010-9562-8<br />
63. Health Saxena KB, Kumar RV and SULTANA R. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Pigeonpea offers quality nutrition at low price.<br />
Health 2(11):1335-1344.<br />
64. 0367-8318 Indian Journal of<br />
Animal Sciences<br />
65. 0019-5200 Indian Journal of<br />
Genetics and Plant<br />
Breeding<br />
66. 0019-5200 Indian Journal of<br />
Genetics and Plant<br />
Breeding<br />
67. Indian Journal of<br />
Plant Genetics and<br />
Resources<br />
68. 0253-4355 Indian Journal of<br />
Plant Protection<br />
69. 0253-4355 Indian Journal of<br />
Plant Protection<br />
70. 0253-4355 Indian Journal of<br />
Plant Protection<br />
Dikshit A K and Birthal PS. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Environmental value of dung in mixed croplivestock<br />
systems. Indian Journal of Animal<br />
Sciences. 80(7):679-682.<br />
Sandhu JS, Gupta SK, Singh Inderjit, Gill BS<br />
and BHARDWAJ R. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetics of bushy<br />
growth habit and its implications in chickpea<br />
improvement. Indian Journal of Genetics and<br />
Plant Breeding 70:383-385.<br />
SANJANA REDDY P, Manohar Rao D, Reddy<br />
BVS and Ashok Kumar A. <strong>2010</strong>. Inheritance of<br />
male-fertility restoration in A 1 , A 2 , A 3 and A 4 (M)<br />
cytoplasmic male-sterility systems of sorghum<br />
[Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], Indian Journal of<br />
Genetics and Plant Breeding 70:240-246.<br />
SANJANA REDDY P, Reddy BVS, Ashok<br />
Kumar A, Ramesh S, Sahrawat KL and<br />
Venkateswara Rao P. <strong>2010</strong>. Association of grain<br />
Fe and Zn contents with agronomic traits in<br />
sorghum. Indian Journal of Plant Genetics and<br />
Resources 23:280-284.<br />
KUMARI AD, Jagdishwar Reddy D and<br />
Sharma HC. <strong>2010</strong>. Stability of resistance to pod<br />
borer, Helicoverpa armigera in pigeonpea. Indian<br />
Journal of Plant Protection 38: 6-12.<br />
Prasada Rao RDVJ, JYOTHIRMAI MADHAVI<br />
K, Reddy AS, Varaprasad KS, Nigam SN,<br />
Sharma KK, Lava Kumar P and Waliyar F. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Non-transmission of tobacco streak virus isolate<br />
occurring in India through the seeds of some crop<br />
and weed hosts. Indian Journal of Plant<br />
Protection 37:92-96.<br />
Prasada Rao RDVJ, JYOTSNA MK, Reddy AS,<br />
Varaprasad KS, Nigam SN and Lava Kumar P.<br />
373
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Non-systemic infection of tobacco streak<br />
virus on cotton in Warangal district, Andhra<br />
Pradesh. Indian Journal of Plant Protection<br />
37:196-198.<br />
71. 0253-4355 Indian Journal of<br />
Plant Protection<br />
SHARMA M, Pande S, MANGALA UN,<br />
Tripathi S and Gaur PM. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic<br />
Resistance in Desi and Kabuli Chickpea Lines to<br />
Fusarium Wilt Caused by Fusarium oxysporum<br />
f.sp. ciceris. Indian Journal of Plant Protection<br />
38:57-62.<br />
72. 1742-7584<br />
eISSN:<br />
1742-7592<br />
International<br />
Journal of Tropical<br />
Insect Science<br />
Dhillon MK and Sharma HC. <strong>2010</strong>. Influence of<br />
seed treatment and abiotic factors on damage to<br />
Bt and non-Bt cotton genotypes by the serpentine<br />
leaf miner, Liriomyza trifolii (Diptera:<br />
Agromyzidae). International Journal of Tropical<br />
Insect Science 30:127-131.<br />
73. 0192-5121 International<br />
Political Science<br />
Review<br />
REYES-GARCÍA V, Vadez V, Aragon J,<br />
Huanca T and Jagger P <strong>2010</strong>. The uneven reach<br />
of decentralization: A case study among<br />
Tsimane’ indigenous peoples in the Bolivian<br />
Amazon. International Political Science Review<br />
31:229-243.<br />
74. 0972-1665 Journal of<br />
Agrometeorology<br />
75. 0931-2250 Journal of<br />
Agronomy and<br />
Crop Science<br />
76. 0931-2048 Journal of Applied<br />
Entomology<br />
Boomiraj K, Wani Suhas P, Garg KK, Aggarwal<br />
PK and Palanisami K. <strong>2010</strong>. Climate change<br />
adaptation strategies for agro-ecosystem – a<br />
review. Journal of Agrometeorology 12(2):145-<br />
160.<br />
Banterng Poramate, Hoogenboom Gerrit,<br />
Patanothai Aran, Singh Piara, Wani Suhas P,<br />
Pathak P, Tongpoonpol S, Atichart S,<br />
SRIHABAN P, Buranaviriyakul S, Jintrawet,<br />
Attachai TC and Nguyen TC. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Application of the Cropping System Model<br />
(CSM)-CROPGRO-Soybean for Determining<br />
Optimum Management Strategies for Soybean in<br />
Tropical Environments. Journal of Agronomy and<br />
Crop Science 196: 231-242.<br />
Chamarthi SK, Sharma HC, NARASU LM and<br />
Dhillon MK. <strong>2010</strong>. Physico-chemical bases of<br />
resistance to shoot fly, Atherigona soccata in<br />
sorghum, Sorghum bicolor. Journal of Applied<br />
374
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
Entomology DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-<br />
0418.<strong>2010</strong>.01564.x<br />
77. 0931-2048 Journal of Applied<br />
Entomology<br />
78. 0256-0933 Journal of Crop<br />
Improvement<br />
79. 0022-0957 Journal of<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
80. 0022-0957 Journal of<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
81. 0022-0957 Journal of<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
82. 0022-0957 Journal of<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
83. 0022-0957 Journal of<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
Dhillon, MK and Sharma HC. <strong>2010</strong>. Chickpea<br />
mediated effects of Bacillus thuringiensis on<br />
Helicoverpa armigera and its larval parasitoid,<br />
Campoletis chlorideae. Journal of Applied<br />
Entomology doi: 10.1111/j.1439-<br />
0418.<strong>2010</strong>.01506.x.<br />
BHATNAGAR-MATHUR P, Shridhar Rao J,<br />
Vadez V and Sharma KK <strong>2010</strong>. Transgenic<br />
Strategies for Improved Drought Tolerance in<br />
Legumes of Semi-Arid Tropics. Journal of Crop<br />
Improvement 24:92-111.<br />
FISCHINGER SA, HRISTOZKOVA M,<br />
Mainassara ZA and Joachim Schulze. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Elevated CO 2 concentration aroud alfalfa nodules<br />
increases N2 fixation. Journal of Experimental<br />
Botany 61:131-142.<br />
Jagadish SVK, Muthurajan R, Oane R and<br />
Craufurd PQ. <strong>2010</strong>. Physiological and proteomic<br />
approaches to dissect reproductive stage heat<br />
tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.). Journal of<br />
Experimental Botany 61:143-156.<br />
KHOLOVÁ J, Hash CT, Kakkera A, KOČOVÁ<br />
M and Vadez V. <strong>2010</strong>a. Constitutive waterconserving<br />
mechanisms are correlated with the<br />
terminal drought tolerance of pearl millet<br />
[Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.]. Journal of<br />
Experimental Botany 61:369–377.<br />
DOI:10.1093/jxb/erp314.<br />
KHOLOVÁ J, Hash CT, Kumar PL, Yadav RS,<br />
KOCﬞOVÁ M and Vadez V. <strong>2010</strong>b. Terminal<br />
drought tolerant pearl millet [Pennisetum<br />
glaucum (L.) R. Br.] have high leaf ABA and<br />
limit transpiration at high vapor pressure deficit.<br />
Journal of Experimental Botany 61:1431-1441.<br />
STEPHANIE A, FISCHINGER, MARIETA<br />
HRISTOZKOVA, Zaman-Allah Mainassara and<br />
Joachim Schulze. <strong>2010</strong>. Elevated CO 2<br />
concentration around alfalfa nodules increases N2<br />
fixation. Journal of Experimental Botany 61<br />
(1):131-142.<br />
375
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
84. 0022-0957 Journal of<br />
Experimental<br />
Botany<br />
85. 1459-0255 Journal of food,<br />
Agriculture and<br />
Environment<br />
86. 0022-1503 Journal of<br />
Heredity<br />
87. 0022-1910 Journal of Insect<br />
Physiology<br />
88. 0971-7811 Journal of Plant<br />
Biochemistry and<br />
Biotechnology<br />
89. 0075-5192 Kasetsart Journal<br />
(Natural Science)<br />
90. 0025-326X Marine Pollution<br />
Bulletin<br />
Yadav RS, SEGHAL D and Vadez V <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Using genetic mapping and genomics approaches<br />
in understanding and 1 improving drought<br />
tolerance in pearl millet. Journal of Experimental<br />
Botany 62:397-408 doi:10.1093/jxb/erq265.<br />
Babaji BA, Yahaya RA, Mahadi MA, Jaliya<br />
MM, Sharifai AI, Ajeigbe HA, Kura HN, Arunah<br />
OL, Ibrahim A and Muhammad AA. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Response of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L)<br />
Walp] to residual effect of different rates of sheep<br />
manure on chilli pepper (Capsicum annum).<br />
Journal of food, Agriculture and Environment<br />
8(2):339-348.<br />
Saxena KB, Kumar RV, Dalvi VA, Pandey LB<br />
and Gaddikeri G. <strong>2010</strong>. Development of<br />
cytoplasmic-nuclear male sterility, its inheritance,<br />
and potential use in hybrid pigeonpea breeding.<br />
Journal of Heredity 101:497-503.<br />
Parde VD, Sharma HC and Kachole MS. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
In vivo inhibition of Helicoverpa armigera gut<br />
pro-proteinase activation by non-host plant<br />
protease inhibitors. Journal of Insect Physiology<br />
56:1315-1324.<br />
Thudi M, MANTHENA R, Wani SP,<br />
TATIKONDA L, Hoisington DA and Varshney<br />
RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Analysis of genetic diversity in<br />
Pongamia [Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierrre] using<br />
AFLP markers. Journal of Plant Biochemistry and<br />
Biotechnology 19:209-216.<br />
Reddy BVS, Ashok Kumar A and SANJANA<br />
REDDY P. <strong>2010</strong>. Recent advances in sorghum<br />
improvement research at <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. Kasetsart<br />
Journal (Natural Science) 44:499-506.<br />
Takahashi S, OSHIHOI T, Ramu K, Isobe T,<br />
Ohmori K, Kubodera T and Tanabe S. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Organohalogen compounds in deep-sea fishes<br />
from the Western North Pacific, Off-Tohoku,<br />
Japan: contamination status and bioaccumulation<br />
profiles. Marine Pollution Bulletin 60:187-196.<br />
91. 1380-3743 Molecular Bheema Lingeswara Reddy IN, Srinivas Reddy<br />
376
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
Breeding<br />
92. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
93. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
94. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
95. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
96. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
97. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
98. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
D, LAKSHMI NARASU M and<br />
Sivaramakrishnan S. <strong>2010</strong>. Characterization of<br />
Disease Resistance Gene Homologues isolated<br />
from Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana(L.)<br />
Gaertn) Molecular Breeding. DOI<br />
10.1007/s11032-010-9433-1(on line).<br />
Gupta PK, Balyan HS and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Quantitative genetics and plant genomics: an<br />
overview. Molecular Breeding 26:133–134.<br />
NEUMANN K, Kobiljsdki B, Deneiae S,<br />
Varshney RK, Börner A. <strong>2010</strong>. Genome-wide<br />
association mapping: a case study in bread wheat<br />
(Triticum aestivum L.). Molecular Breeding<br />
27:37-58 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-010-9411-7.<br />
Ramu P, Deshpande SP, Senthilvel S,<br />
JAYASHREE B, Billot C, Deu M, Reddy LA<br />
and Hash CT. <strong>2010</strong>. In-silico mapping of<br />
important genes and markers available in public<br />
domain for efficient sorghum breeding.<br />
Molecular Breeding 26:409-418.<br />
Saxena RK, Saxena KB and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Application of SSR markers for molecular<br />
characterization of hybrid parents and purity<br />
assessment of ICPH 2438 hybrid of pigeonpea<br />
[Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.]. Molecular Breeding<br />
26:371-380.<br />
Singh PK, Mergoum M, Adhikari TB, Shah T,<br />
Ghavami F and Kianian SF <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic and<br />
molecular analysis of wheat tan spot resistance<br />
effective against Pyrenophora tritici-repentis<br />
races 2 and 5. Molecular Breeding 25:369-379.<br />
Varshney RK, Baum M, Guo P, GRANDO S,<br />
CECCARELLI S and Graner A. <strong>2010</strong>. Features<br />
of SNP and SSR diversity in a set of ICARDA<br />
barley germplasm collection. Molecular Breeding<br />
26:229-242.<br />
Varshney RK, Penmetsa RV, Dutta S, Kulwal<br />
PL, Saxena RK, Datta S, Sharma TR, Rosen B,<br />
CARRASQUILLA-GRACIA N, Farmer AD,<br />
DUBEY A, Saxena KB, Gao J, Fakrudin B,<br />
Singh MN, Singh BP, Wanjari KB, YUAN M,<br />
Srivastava RK, Kilian A, Upadhyaya HD,<br />
MALLIKARJUNA N, Town CD, Bruening GE,<br />
377
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
He G, May GD, McCombie R, Jackson SA,<br />
Singh NK and Cook DR. <strong>2010</strong>. Pigeonpea<br />
genomics initiative (PGI): an international effort<br />
to improve crop productivity of pigeonpea<br />
(Cajanus cajan L.). Molecular Breeding 26:393-<br />
408.<br />
99. 1380-3743 Molecular<br />
Breeding<br />
100. 1755-098X Molecular Ecology<br />
Resources<br />
Yan J, YANG X, Shah T, Sanchez-Villeda H, Li<br />
J, WARBURTON ML, Zhou Y, Crouch JH and<br />
Xu Y. <strong>2010</strong>. High-throughput SNP genotyping<br />
with the GoldenGate assay in maize. Molecular<br />
Breeding 25:441–451.<br />
Estep M, Van Mourik T, Muth P, Guindo D,<br />
Parzies, HK, Koita O, WELTZIEN E and<br />
Bennetzen JL. <strong>2010</strong>. Development of<br />
microsatellite markers for characterizing diversity<br />
in a parasitic witchweed, Striga hermonthica<br />
(Orobanchaceae). Molecular Ecology Resources<br />
10:1098-1105.<br />
101. 0301-486X Mycopathologia Sharma R, Thakur RP, Senthilvel S, NAYAK<br />
SN, Veera Reddy S, Rao VP and Varshney RK.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Identification and characterization of<br />
toxigenic Fusaria associated with sorghum grain<br />
mold complex in India. Mycopathologia. Doi<br />
10.1007/s11046-010-9354-x.<br />
102. 1385-1314<br />
eISSN:<br />
1573-0867<br />
103. 1385-1314<br />
eISSN:<br />
1573-0867<br />
104. 1385-1314<br />
eISSN:<br />
Nutrient Cycling<br />
in Agroecosystem<br />
Nutrient Cycling<br />
in Agroecosystems<br />
Nutrient Cycling in<br />
Agroecosystems<br />
378<br />
Satoshi Nakamura, Keiichi Hayashi, Hide Omae,<br />
Tabo Ramadjita, Fatondji Dougbedji,<br />
Hitoshi Shinjo, Addam Kiari Saidou and<br />
Satoshi Tobita. <strong>2010</strong>. Validation of soil organic<br />
carbon dynamics model in the semi-arid tropics in<br />
Niger, West Africa. Nutrient Cycling in<br />
Agroecosystem 1-11-11, doi: 10.1007/s10705-<br />
010-9402-4.<br />
MASVAYA EN, NYAWASHA RW, Zingore S,<br />
Nyamangara J, Delve RJ and Giller KE. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Spatial soil fertility variability and plant nutrient<br />
uptake: A case of two smallholder farming areas<br />
in contrasting agro-ecological zones in<br />
Zimbabwe. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems<br />
88(1):111-120 (DOI: 10.1007/s10705-009-9262-<br />
y).<br />
Nyamangara J and Nyagumbo I. <strong>2010</strong>. Interactive<br />
effects of selected nutrient resources and tied-
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
1573-0867 ridging on plant performance in a semi-arid<br />
smallholder farming environment in central<br />
Zimbabwe. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems<br />
88(1):103-109 (DOI: 10.1007/s10705-009-9282-<br />
7).<br />
105. 0179-9541 Plant Breeding Saxena KB, SULTANA R, MALLIKARJUNA<br />
N, Saxena RK, Kumar RV, Sawargaonkar SL and<br />
Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Male-sterility systems in<br />
pigeonpea and their role in enhancing yield. Plant<br />
Breeding 129:125-134.<br />
106. 0179-9541 Plant Breeding Saxena RK, PRATHIMA C, Saxena KB,<br />
Hoisington DA, Singh NK and Varshney RK.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Novel SSR markers for polymorphism<br />
detection in pigeonpea (Cajanus spp.). Plant<br />
Breeding 129:142-148.<br />
107. 0179-9541 Plant Breeding Saxena RK, Saxena KB, Kumar RV, Hoisington<br />
DA and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. SSR-based diversity<br />
in elite pigeonpea genotypes for developing<br />
mapping populations to map resistance to<br />
Fusarium wilt and sterility mosaic disease. Plant<br />
Breeding 129:135-141.<br />
108. Plant Breeding,<br />
Early View<br />
109. 0140-7791 Plant Cell and<br />
Environment<br />
Rabbi IY, Parzies HK, Kiambi D, HAUSSMANN<br />
BIG, Folkertsma R and Geiger HH. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Experimental studies on pollen-mediated gene<br />
flow in Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench using<br />
male-sterile bait plants; Plant Breeding, Early<br />
View; S.1-8 DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-<br />
0523.<strong>2010</strong>.01775.x<br />
WITZEL K, WEIDNER A, Surabhi GK,<br />
Varshney RK, Kuenze G, Buck-Sorlin GH,<br />
Börner A and Mock HP. <strong>2010</strong>. Comparative<br />
analysis of the grain proteome fraction in barley<br />
genotypes with contrasting salinity tolerance<br />
during germination. Plant Cell and Environment<br />
33:211-222.<br />
110. 0721-7714 Plant Cell <strong>Report</strong>s BHATNAGAR M, PRASAD K,<br />
BHATNAGAR-MATHUR P, NARASU ML,<br />
Waliyar F and Sharma KK. <strong>2010</strong>. An efficient<br />
method for the production of marker-free<br />
transgenic plants of peanut (Arachis hypogaea<br />
L.). Plant Cell <strong>Report</strong>s 25(5):495-502.<br />
379
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
111. 0191-2917 Plant Disease Sharma R, Rao VP, Upadhyaya HD, Reddy VG<br />
and Thakur RP. <strong>2010</strong>. Resistance to grain mold<br />
and downy mildew in a mini core collection of<br />
sorghum germplasm. Plant Disease 94:439-444.<br />
112. Plant Genetic<br />
Resources<br />
113. 1479-2621 Plant Genetic<br />
Resources -<br />
Characterization &<br />
Utilization<br />
114. 1479-2621 Plant Genetic<br />
Resources:<br />
Characterization<br />
and Utilization<br />
115. 1479-2621 Plant Genetic<br />
Resources:<br />
Characterization<br />
and Utilization<br />
116. 1479-2621 Plant Genetic<br />
Resources:<br />
Characterization<br />
and Utilization<br />
117. Plant, Cell &<br />
Environment<br />
Moses M, Muraya Hartwig, Geiger H, Fabrice<br />
Sagnard, SANTIE DE VILLIERS and Parzies<br />
HK. <strong>2010</strong>. Geographical patterns of phenotypic<br />
diversity and structure of Kenyan wild sorghum<br />
populations (Sorghum spp) as an aid to<br />
germplasm collection and conservation strategy.<br />
Plant Genetic Resources<br />
doi:10.1017/S1479262110000225<br />
Rabbi I, Geiger HH, HAUSSMANN BIG,<br />
Kiambi D, Folkertsma R and Parzies HK. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Impact of farmers’ practices and seed systems on<br />
the genetic structure of common sorghum<br />
cultivars in Kenya and Sudan. Plant Genetic<br />
Resources - Characterization & Utilization 8:116-<br />
126 DOI: 10.1017/S147926211000002X.<br />
Upadhyaya HD, Reddy KN, Gowda CLL and<br />
Singh S. <strong>2010</strong>. Identification and evaluation of<br />
vegetable type pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan (L.)<br />
Millsp.) in the world germplasm collection at<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> Genebank. Plant Genetic Resources:<br />
Characterization and Utilization 8(2):162-170-<br />
<strong>2010</strong>; 1–9; doi:10.1017/S1479262110000122.<br />
Upadhyaya HD, Reddy KN, Irshad Ahmed M,<br />
Gowda CLL and HAUSSMANN BIG. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Identification of geographical gaps in the pearl<br />
millet germplasm from West and Central Africa<br />
assembled at <strong>ICRISAT</strong> genebank. Plant Genetic<br />
Resources: Characterization and Utilization<br />
8(1):45-51.<br />
Upadhyaya HD, Reddy KN, Irshad M and Gowda<br />
CLL. <strong>2010</strong>. Identification of gaps in pearl millet<br />
germplasm from Asia conserved at the <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
genebank. Plant Genetic Resources:<br />
Characterization and Utilization 8:267-276.<br />
Flowers TJ, Gaur PM, Gowda CLL,<br />
Krishnamurthy L, Samineni S, Siddique KHM,<br />
Turner NC, Vadez V, Varshney RK and Colmer<br />
TD. <strong>2010</strong>. Salt sensitivity in chickpea. Plant, Cell<br />
380
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
& Environment 33:490-509.<br />
118. 1932-6203 PLoS ONE Yab J, Shah T, WARBURTON ML, Buckler<br />
ES, McMullen MD and Crouch J. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic<br />
Characterization and Linkage Disequilibrium<br />
Estimation of a Global Maize Collection Using<br />
SNP Markers. PLoS ONE 4(12): e8451<br />
119. 0036-8075 Science Herrero M, Thornton PK, Notenbaert AM, Wood<br />
S, Msangi S, Freeman HA, Bossio D, Dixon J,<br />
Peters M, van de Steeg J, Lyman J, Parthasarathy<br />
Rao P, Macmillan S, Gerard B, McDermott J,<br />
Sere C and Rosegrant M. <strong>2010</strong>. Smart<br />
investments in sustainable food production:<br />
Revisiting mixed crop-livestock systems. Science<br />
327:822-825.<br />
120. 0934-0882 Sexual Plant<br />
Reproduction<br />
121. 0266-0032 Soil Use and<br />
Management<br />
Dwivedi SL, Perotti E, HD Upadhyaya and Ortiz<br />
R. <strong>2010</strong>. Sexual and apomictic plant reproduction<br />
in the genomics era: exploring the mechanisms<br />
potentially useful in crop plants. Sexual Plant<br />
Reproduction 23:265-279.<br />
Valluru R, Vadez V, Hash CT, and Karanam P.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. A minute P application contributes to a<br />
better establishment of pearl millet (Pennisetum<br />
americanum (L.) R. Br.) seedling in P deficient<br />
soils. Soil Use and Management 26:39–43. doi:<br />
10.1111/j.1475-2743.2009.00245.x<br />
122. Swara Rao KPC. <strong>2010</strong>. Climate change: What it means<br />
for agriculture in Eastern Africa. Swara 1:43-45.<br />
123. 0040-5752 Theoretical and<br />
Applied Genetics<br />
124. 0040-5752 Theoretical and<br />
Applied Genetics<br />
MUTEGI E, Sagnard F, Semagn K, Deu M,<br />
MURAYA M, Kanyenji B, de VILLIERS S,<br />
Kiambi D, Herselman L and Labuschagne M.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Genetic structure and relationships within<br />
and between cultivated and wild sorghum<br />
(Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) in Kenya as<br />
revealed by microsatellite markers. Theoretical<br />
and Applied Genetics doi: 10.1007/s00122-010-<br />
1504-5.<br />
NAYAK SN, Zhu H, VARGHESE N, Datta S,<br />
Choi H-K, Horres R, JÜNGLING R, Singh J,<br />
Kavi Kishor PB, Sivaramakrihnan S,<br />
Hoisington DA, Kahl G, Winter P, Cook DR and<br />
Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Integration of novel SSR<br />
381
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
and gene-based SNP marker loci in the chickpea<br />
genetic map and establishment of new anchor<br />
points with Medicago truncatula genome.<br />
Theoretical and Applied Genetics 120:1415–144.<br />
125. 0040-5752 Theoretical and<br />
Applied Genetics<br />
126. 0040-5752 Theoretical<br />
Applied Genetics<br />
127. 0167-7799 Trends<br />
Biotechnology<br />
128. 0959-3993 World Journal of<br />
Microbiology and<br />
Biotechnology<br />
129. 0959-3993 World Journal of<br />
Microbiology and<br />
Biotechnology<br />
YANG X, Yan J, Shah T, WARBURTON ML,<br />
Li Q, Li L, Gao Y, Chai Y, Fu Z, Zhou Y, Xu<br />
S, Bai G, Meng Y, Zheng Y and Li J. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Genetic analysis and characterization of a new<br />
maize association mapping panel for quantitative<br />
trait loci dissection. Theoretical and Applied<br />
Genetics 121:417-431.<br />
Khedikar YP, Gowda MVC,<br />
SARVAMANGALA C, PATGAR KV,<br />
Upadhyaya HD and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong> A QTL<br />
study on late leaf spot and rust revealed one<br />
major QTL for molecular breeding for rust<br />
resistance in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.).<br />
Theoretical Applied Genetics 121:971–984.<br />
Varshney RK, Glaszmann J-C, Leung H and<br />
Ribaut JM. <strong>2010</strong>. More genomic resources for<br />
less-studied crops. Trends Biotechnology 28:452-<br />
460<br />
Gopalakrishnan S, Humayun P, Kiran BK,<br />
Kannan IGK, Vidhya MS, DEEPTHI K and<br />
Rupela O. <strong>2010</strong>. Evaluation of bacteria isolated<br />
from rice rhizosphere for biological control of<br />
sorghum caused by M. phaseolina. World Journal<br />
of Microbiology and Biotechnology DOI<br />
10.1007/s11274-010-0579-0.<br />
LINCY SV, Chandrashekar A, Narayan MS,<br />
Sharma R and Thakur RP. <strong>2010</strong>. Natural<br />
occurrence of trichothecene-producing Fusaria<br />
isolated from India with particular reference to<br />
sorghum. World Journal of Microbiology and<br />
Biotechnology DOI 10.1007/s11274-010-0542-0.<br />
130. 1280-9551 Zoosystema Randriamanantsoa R, Aberlenc HP, RALISOA<br />
OB, Ratnadass A and Vercambre B. <strong>2010</strong>. Les<br />
larves des Scarabaeoidea (Insecta, Coleoptera) en<br />
riziculture pluviale des régions de haute et<br />
moyenne altitudes du Centre de Madagascar.<br />
Zoosystema 32:19-72.<br />
382
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
131. 0256-0933 Crop<br />
Improvement<br />
Sandhu JS, Gupta SK and VEENA KHANNA.<br />
2009. Introgression of yield and component traits<br />
through wide hybridization in pigeonpea. Crop<br />
Improvement 36:50-54.<br />
132. 0011-183X Crop Science Keatinge JDH, Waliyar F, Jamnadass RH,<br />
Moustafa A, Andrade M, Drechsel P, Hughes J<br />
d’A, Palchamy Kardirvel and Luther K. 2009. Relearning<br />
old lessons for the future food: by bread<br />
alone no longer – Diversifying diets with fruit and<br />
vegetables. Crop Science 50:S-1–S-2 (<strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Science Forum Wageningen, Netherlands, 16-17<br />
June.<br />
133. 0019-5200 Indian Journal<br />
of Genetics and<br />
Plant Breeding<br />
134. 0253-4355 Indian Journal<br />
of Plant<br />
Protection<br />
135. 0567-7572 Journal of Food<br />
Legumes<br />
136. 1535-3893 Journal of<br />
Proteome<br />
Research<br />
Reddy BVS, Ramesh S, SANJANA REDDY P and<br />
Ashok Kumar A. 2009. Comparison of A 1 and A 2<br />
cytoplasmic male-sterility for combining ability in<br />
sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Indian<br />
Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding 69(3):199-<br />
204 (published in <strong>2010</strong>).<br />
Pande S, SHARMA M, Neupane RK, Chaudhary<br />
RN, Rao, JN, Grzywacz D, Baurai VA and<br />
Stevenson P. 2009. Integrated crop management<br />
for improved chickpea production and its impact on<br />
the livelihood of farmers in Nepal. Indian Journal<br />
of Plant Protection 37(1&2): 139-146.<br />
http://hdl.handle.net/10731/2457 (Appeared in<br />
<strong>2010</strong>)<br />
Durairaj C, Sharma HC, KALAIMAGAL T and<br />
Ravikesavan R. 2009. A record on the insect pests<br />
of wild relatives of pigeonpea, mungbean and<br />
urdbean. Journal of Food Legumes 22:146-148.<br />
Sarkar A, Hess D, Mondal HA, Banerjee S,<br />
Sharma HC and DAS S. 2009. Homodimeric<br />
alkaline phosphatase located at Helicoverpa<br />
armigera midgut, a putative receptor of Cry1Ac<br />
contains #-GalNAc in terminal glycan structure as<br />
interactive epitope. Journal of Proteome Research<br />
8:1838-1848.<br />
137. 09737510 Journal of Pure<br />
and Applied<br />
Vijay Krishna Kumar K, Krishnam Raju S,<br />
Reddy MS, LAWRENCE KK, Groth DE, Miller<br />
383
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
Microbiology<br />
ME and Sudini H. 2009. Evaluation of<br />
commercially available PGPR for control of Rice<br />
sheath blight caused by Rhizoctonia solani. Journal<br />
of Pure and Applied Microbiology 3(2):485-488.<br />
384
Non Thomson Index Journal Article<br />
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
1. 0496-3490 Acta<br />
Agronomica<br />
Sinica<br />
2. 0496-3490 Acta<br />
Agronomica<br />
Sinica<br />
Hui-Fang J, Xiao-Ping R, Xiao-Jie Z, Jia-<br />
Quan H, Yong L, Li-Ying Y, Bo-Shou L,<br />
Upadhyaya HD and Holbrook CC. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Comparison of Genetic Diversity between Peanut<br />
Mini Core Collections from China and <strong>ICRISAT</strong><br />
by SSR Markers. Acta Agronomica Sinica<br />
36(7):1084−1091.<br />
JIANG HF, Ren XP, Wang SY, Zhang XJ,<br />
Huang JQ, BoShou L, Holbrook CC and<br />
Upadhyaya HD. <strong>2010</strong>. Development and<br />
evaluation of peanut germplasm with resistance<br />
to Aspergillus flavus from core collection. Acta<br />
Agronomica Sinica 36(3):428-434.<br />
3. Print:0971-<br />
3441,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-0279<br />
4. Print:0971-<br />
3441,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-0279<br />
5. Print:0971-<br />
3441,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-0279<br />
6. Print:0971-<br />
3441,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-0279<br />
Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
Research<br />
Review<br />
Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
Research<br />
Review<br />
Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
Research<br />
Review<br />
Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
Research<br />
Review<br />
Dikshit AK and Birthal PS. <strong>2010</strong>. India’s<br />
livestock feed demand: Estimates and<br />
projections. Agricultural Economics Research<br />
Review 23(1):15-28.<br />
Kiresur VR, Melinamani VP, Kulkarni VS,<br />
PUSHPA BHARATI and Yadav VS. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Agricultural Productivity, Rural Poverty and<br />
Nutritional Security: A Micro Evidence of Inter-<br />
Linkages from Karnataka State. Agricultural<br />
Economics Research Review 23(1):29-40.<br />
Lokesha H, Kiresur VR, Parthasarathy Rao P<br />
and BANTILAN MCS. <strong>2010</strong>. Value Chain<br />
Management in Production and Marketing of<br />
Groundnut in Raichur district of Karnataka.<br />
Agricultural Economics Research Review<br />
23:547.<br />
Reddy AA and GP Reddy. <strong>2010</strong>. Supply Side<br />
Constraints in Production of Pulses in India: Case<br />
Study of Lentils. Agricultural Economics<br />
Research Review 36:129-136.<br />
7. 0002-1679 Agricultural<br />
Situation in<br />
India<br />
Wani Suhas P, Singh Piara, Boomiraj K and<br />
Sahrawat KL. <strong>2010</strong>. Climate change and<br />
sustainable rainfed agriculture: Challenges and<br />
opportunities. Agricultural Situation in India<br />
66(5):221-239.<br />
385
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
8. Print:2151-<br />
7517,<br />
Online:<br />
2151-7525<br />
9. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:<br />
0974-181X<br />
10. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-181X<br />
11. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-181X<br />
12. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-181X<br />
13. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-181X<br />
Agriculture<br />
and biology<br />
Journal of<br />
North America<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
MUTURI PW, Mwololo JK, Munyiri SW,<br />
Rubaihayo P, Munyua JK, MGONJA M,<br />
Manyasa E and Kiarie N. <strong>2010</strong>. A perspective on<br />
proteomics: current applications, challenges and<br />
potential uses. Agriculture and biology Journal of<br />
North America 1:916-918.<br />
doi:10.5251/abjna.<strong>2010</strong>.1.5.916. 918.<br />
http://scihub.org/ABJNA/PDF/<strong>2010</strong>/5/ABJNA-1-<br />
5-916-918.pdf<br />
Anandan S, Khan AA, Ravi D and Blümmel M.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. A Comparison of Two Complete Feed<br />
Blocks Based on Sorghum Stover of Two<br />
Different Cultivars on Weight Gain in Sheep and<br />
Economy of Feeding. Animal Nutrition and Feed<br />
Technology 10S:101-104.<br />
Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS, Blümmel M,<br />
Anandan S, Ramana Reddy Y , Ravinder Reddy<br />
Ch , Srinivasa Rao P and SANJANA REDDY P.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. On-farm evaluation of elite sweet sorghum<br />
genotypes for grain and stover yields and fodder<br />
quality. Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology<br />
10S:69-78.<br />
Bidinger FR, Blümmel M, Hash CT and<br />
CHOUDHARY S. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic enhancement<br />
for superior food-feed traits in a pearl millet<br />
(Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) variety by<br />
recurrent selection. Animal Nutrition and Feed<br />
Technology 10S:49–56.<br />
Blümmel M, Khan AA, Vadez V, Hash CT and<br />
Rai KN. <strong>2010</strong>. Variability in stover quality traits<br />
in commercial hybrids of pearl millet<br />
(Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R. Br.) and grain -<br />
stover trait relationships. Animal Nutrition and<br />
Feed Technology 10S:18-26.<br />
Parthasarathy Rao P and Blümmel M. <strong>2010</strong>. A<br />
Note on the Response of Sheep to Differently<br />
Priced Sorghum Stover Traded Concomitantly<br />
and Implications for the Economy of Feeding.<br />
Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology 10S:105-<br />
111.<br />
386
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
14. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-181X<br />
15. Print:0972-<br />
2963,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-181X<br />
16. Print:0365-<br />
0340,<br />
Online:1476<br />
-3567<br />
17. Print:0365-<br />
0340,<br />
Online:1476<br />
-3567<br />
18. Print:1752-<br />
3818<br />
19. Print:0972-<br />
7566<br />
20. Print:1756-<br />
5529,<br />
Online:1756<br />
-5537<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
Animal<br />
Nutrition and<br />
Feed<br />
Technology<br />
Archives of<br />
Agronomy and<br />
Soil Science<br />
Archives of<br />
Agronomy and<br />
Soil Science<br />
Asian &<br />
Australasian<br />
Journal of<br />
Plant Science<br />
and<br />
Biotechnology<br />
Asian<br />
Biotechnology<br />
and<br />
Development<br />
Review<br />
Climate and<br />
Development<br />
Ramkrishna Reddy Ch, Khan AA, Prasad KSVS,<br />
Ravi D, Reddy BVS, Rego T and Blümmel M.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Stover Quality Traits for Improvement of<br />
Dual-Purpose Sorghum. Animal Nutrition and<br />
Feed Technology 10S:113-119.<br />
Ravi D, Anandan S, Khan AA, Bidinger FR,<br />
Nepolean T, Hash CT and Blümmel M. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Morphological, chemical and in vitro traits for<br />
prediction of stover quality in pearl millet for use<br />
in multidimensional crop improvement. Animal<br />
Nutrition and Feed Technology 10S:37–48.<br />
Sahrawat KL. <strong>2010</strong>. Nitrogen mineralization in<br />
lowland rice soils: The role of organic matter<br />
quantity and quality. Archives of Agronomy and<br />
Soil Science 56:337-353.<br />
Dungrani RA, Jat Ram A, Arvadia MK and<br />
Sahrawat KL. <strong>2010</strong>. Diversification of rice<br />
(Oryza sativa L.) based cropping systems for<br />
higher productivity, resource-use efficiency and<br />
economic returns in South Gujarat of India.<br />
Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science. doi:<br />
10.1080/03650340.<strong>2010</strong>.533172.<br />
Bheema Lingeswara Reddy IN, Srinivas Reddy<br />
D, LAKSHMI NARASU M and<br />
Sivaramakrishnan S. <strong>2010</strong>. Development and<br />
Evaluation of SCAR Marker for Blast Resistance<br />
in Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn).<br />
Asian & Australasian Journal of Plant Science<br />
and Biotechnology 4(1):77-80.<br />
Curan AB, Dulloo E, Mathur P, BRAHMI P,<br />
Tyagi V, Tyagi RK and Upadhyaya HD. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Plant Genetic Resources and Germplasm Use in<br />
India. Asian Biotechnology and Development<br />
Review 12(3):17-34.<br />
MULA RP, Wani Suhas P, Rai KN and Balaji V.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Lessons from women’s participation in<br />
<strong>ICRISAT</strong> R4D projects: Talking points for<br />
climate change initiative. Climate and<br />
Development 2:378-389.<br />
387
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
21. Earthscan<br />
Climate and<br />
Development<br />
22. 0975-928X Electronic<br />
Journal of<br />
Plant Breeding<br />
23. 0975-928X Electronic<br />
Journal of<br />
Plant Breeding<br />
24. 0975-928X Electronic<br />
Journal of<br />
Plant Breeding<br />
Mula Rosana P, Wani Suhas P, Rai Kedar N and<br />
Balaji Venkataraman. <strong>2010</strong>. Lessons from<br />
women's participation in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> R4D projects:<br />
Talking points for climate change initiatives.<br />
Earthscan Climate and Development 2(4):378-<br />
389.<br />
Saxena KB and Nadarajan N. <strong>2010</strong>. Prospects<br />
of pigeonpea hybrids in Indian agriculture.<br />
Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding 1:1107-<br />
1117.<br />
Upadhyaya HD, Yadav D, Dronavalli N, Gowda<br />
CLL and Singh S. <strong>2010</strong>. Mini core germplasm<br />
collections for infusing genetic diversity in plant<br />
breeding programs. Lead paper presented in:<br />
Third National Congress on "Plant Breeding and<br />
Genomics”, 7-9 July <strong>2010</strong>, TNAU, Coimbatore,<br />
India. P 9. Electronic Journal of Plant Breeding<br />
1(4):1294-1309<br />
https://sites.google.com/site/ispbtnau/publications).<br />
Vindhiyavarman P, Manivannan N, Nigam SN<br />
and Muralidharan V. <strong>2010</strong>. Farmers'<br />
participatory varietal selection in groundnut: A<br />
case study from Tamil Nadu, India. Electronic<br />
Journal of Plant Breeding 1(4):878-881.<br />
25. Green Farming Mula MG, Saxena KB, Kumar RV and Rathore<br />
A. <strong>2010</strong>. Effect of spacing and irrigation on seed<br />
production of a CMS-based pigeonpea hybrid.<br />
Green Farming 1(3):221-227.<br />
26. Green Farming Mula MG, Saxena KB, Kumar RV, MULA RP<br />
and Rathore A. <strong>2010</strong>. Response of spacing on<br />
yield and returns of CMS-based mediumduration<br />
pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) hybrid.<br />
Green Farming 1(4):331-335.<br />
27. Print<br />
ISSN:0019-<br />
4662<br />
Indian<br />
Economic<br />
Journal<br />
Reddy AA. <strong>2010</strong>. Disparities in Agricultural<br />
Productivity Growth in Andhra Pradesh. Indian<br />
Economic Journal 58(1):134-152.<br />
28. 0019-5014 Indian Journal<br />
of Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
Parthasarathy Rao P. <strong>2010</strong>. Rapporteurs’s report<br />
on Conservation Agriculture. Indian Journal of<br />
Agricultural Economics 65(3):602-607.<br />
388
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
29. 0019-5014 Indian Journal<br />
of Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
Singh NP, Ranjit Kumar, Singh RP, ALKA<br />
SINGH , Padaria RN and NISHA<br />
VARGHESE. <strong>2010</strong>. Farm- level impacts and<br />
determinants of labour-out migration in Indo<br />
Gangetic Plains of India”. Indian Journal of<br />
Agricultural Economics 65(1):72-86.<br />
30. Print<br />
ISSN:0537-<br />
197X,<br />
eISSN:0974<br />
-4460<br />
31. Print ISSN<br />
:0973-1822<br />
32. Print ISSN<br />
:0971-8184<br />
33. Print: 1459-<br />
0255,<br />
Online:<br />
1459-0263<br />
Indian Journal<br />
of Agronomy<br />
Indian Journal<br />
of Fertilizers<br />
Indian Journal<br />
of Plant<br />
Genetic<br />
Resources<br />
International<br />
Journal of<br />
Food,<br />
Agriculture<br />
and<br />
Environment<br />
Jat Ram A and Ahlawat IPS. <strong>2010</strong>. Effect of<br />
organic manure and sulphur fertilization in<br />
pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) groundnut (Arachis<br />
hypogaea) intercropping system. Indian Journal<br />
of Agronomy 55 (4): 24-29.<br />
Srinivasarao Ch, Wani Suhas P, Sahrawat KL,<br />
Krishnappa K and Rajasekhara Rao BK. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Effect of balanced nutrition on yield and<br />
economics of vegetable crop in participatory<br />
watersheds in Karnataka. Indian Journal of<br />
Fertilizers 6(3):39-42.<br />
REDDY PS, Reddy BVS, Ashok Kumar A,<br />
Ramesh S, Sahrawat KL and Rao PV. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Association of grain Fe and Zn contents with<br />
agronomic traits in sorghum. Indian Journal of<br />
Plant Genetic Resources 23:280-284.<br />
TOJO SOLER C, Hoogenboom G, Olatinwo R,<br />
Diarra B, Waliyar F and Traoré S. <strong>2010</strong>. Peanut<br />
contamination by Aspergillus flavus and<br />
aflatoxin B1 in granaries of villages and markets<br />
of Mali, West Africa. International Journal of<br />
Food, Agriculture and Environment 8(1):195-<br />
203.<br />
34. 1816-4978 International<br />
Journal of Soil<br />
Science<br />
35. Journal de<br />
l’Association<br />
des Botanistes<br />
de l’Afrique de<br />
l’Ouest<br />
Rajashekhara Rao BK, Sahrawat KL, Wani SP<br />
and Pardhasaradhi G. <strong>2010</strong>. Integrated nutrient<br />
management to enhance on-farm productivity of<br />
rain fed maize in India. International Journal of<br />
Soil Science 5:216-225.<br />
Bakasso Y, Saadou M, Mahamane A, Zongo J-<br />
D and Zaman-Allah M. <strong>2010</strong>. Geographical<br />
distribution and utilization of Roselle (Hibiscus<br />
sabdariffa L.) in Niger. Journal de l’Association<br />
des Botanistes de l’Afrique de l’Ouest 6:23-33.<br />
389
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
36. Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Development<br />
and Policy<br />
37. 0019-5014 Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
38. 0019-5014 Journal of<br />
Agricultural<br />
Economics<br />
39. 0972-1665 Journal of<br />
Agro-<br />
Meterology<br />
40. 0972-1665 Journal of<br />
Agro-<br />
Meterology<br />
41. 0974-7230 Journal of<br />
Computer<br />
Science and<br />
System<br />
Biology<br />
42. Journal of<br />
Environmental<br />
Research<br />
43. Journal of<br />
Food and<br />
Environment<br />
Kumara Charyulu D and Rao KPC. <strong>2010</strong>. Drivers<br />
of crop diversification in Semi-Arid Tropics<br />
(SAT) of Andhra Pradesh. Journal of<br />
Agricultural Development and Policy. 20(1):38-<br />
46.<br />
Birthal PS. <strong>2010</strong>. Unlocking the potential of<br />
agriculture in north-eastern hill region of India.<br />
Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics<br />
65(3):329-343.<br />
Chand Ramesh, Raju SS and Pandey LM. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Effect of global recession on Indian agriculture.<br />
Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics<br />
65(3):487–496.<br />
Manikandan N, Rao GGSN, Rao AVMS, Rao<br />
VUM and Satyanarayana T. <strong>2010</strong>. Variations in<br />
moisture regime at selected stations over India.<br />
Journal of Agro-Meterology 11(special<br />
issue):200-203.<br />
Rao VUM, Manikandan N, Singh NP,<br />
BANTILAN MCS, Satyanarayana T, Rao<br />
AVMS and Rao GGSN. <strong>2010</strong>. Trends of heavy<br />
rainfall events in Anantpur and Mahabubnagar<br />
districts of Andhra Pradesh. Journal of Agro-<br />
Meterology 11(special issue):195-199.<br />
Thakur V and Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Challenges<br />
and strategies for next generation sequencing<br />
(NGS) data analysis. Journal of Computer<br />
Science and System Biology 3:040-042.<br />
SIREESHA K, Sridhar Kumar Ch, Ranga Rao<br />
GV, Arjuna Rao P and Lava Kumar P. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Effect of different storage conditions on the<br />
virulence of Helicoverpa armigera<br />
nucleopolyhedrovirus (HaNPV). Journal of<br />
Environmental Research 34(1):65-69.<br />
Cecilia M, Tojo Soler, Gerrit Hoogenboom,<br />
Rabiu Olatinwo, Bamory Diarra, Farid<br />
Waliyar and Sibiry Traore. <strong>2010</strong>. Peanut<br />
contamination by Aspergillus flavus and aflatoxin<br />
B1 in granaries of villages and markets of Mali.<br />
West Africa. Journal of Food and Environment<br />
390
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
8(2):195-203.<br />
44. Print:0970-<br />
6380,<br />
Online:<br />
0976-2434<br />
45. Print:0970-<br />
6380,<br />
Online:<br />
0976-2434<br />
46. Print:0970-<br />
6380,<br />
Online:0976<br />
-2434<br />
Journal of<br />
Food Legumes<br />
Journal of<br />
Food Legumes<br />
Journal of Food<br />
Legumes<br />
Kashiwagi J, Upadhyaya HD and Krishnamurthy<br />
L. <strong>2010</strong>. Significance and genetic diversity of<br />
SPAD chlorophyll meter reading (SCMR) in the<br />
chickpea germplasm in the semi-arid<br />
environments. Journal of Food Legumes 23:99-<br />
105.<br />
KUMARI AD, Sharma HC and Jagdishwar<br />
Reddy D. <strong>2010</strong>. Incorporation of lyophilized<br />
leaves and pods into artificial diet to assess<br />
antibiosis component of resistance to pod borer<br />
in pigeonpea. Journal of Food Legumes 23(1):57-<br />
65.<br />
Saxena KB, Kumar RV and Gowda CLL. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Vegetable pigeonpea – a review. Journal of Food<br />
Legumes 23(2):91-98.<br />
47. 0019-6363 Journal of<br />
Indian Society<br />
of Agricultural<br />
Statistics<br />
48. 0019-6363 Journal of<br />
Indian Society<br />
of Agricultural<br />
Statistics<br />
49. 1226-8550 Journal of<br />
International<br />
and Area<br />
Studies<br />
Sarkar A, Parsad R, Gupta VK and Rathore A.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Efficient Row-Column Designs for<br />
Microarray Experiments. Journal of Indian<br />
Society of Agricultural Statistics 64(1):89-117.<br />
Singh KN, Rathore A, Tripathi AK, Rao AS<br />
and Khan S. <strong>2010</strong>. Soil fertility mapping and its<br />
validation using spatial prediction techniques.<br />
Journal of Indian Society of Agricultural<br />
Statistics 64(3):359-365.<br />
Elumalai K and Birthal PS. <strong>2010</strong>. Effect of trade<br />
liberalization on the efficiency of Indian Dairy<br />
Industry. Journal of International and Area<br />
Studies 17(1):1-15.<br />
50. Print ISSN:<br />
1531-0353,<br />
eISSN:1531<br />
-0361<br />
Journal of<br />
Irrigation and<br />
Drainage<br />
Woltering L, Pasternak D and Ndjeunga J. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
The African Market Garden: The Development<br />
of a Low Pressure Drip Irrigation System for<br />
Smallholders in the Sudano-Sahel. Journal of<br />
Irrigation and Drainage.<br />
51. 0970-2776 Journal of<br />
Oilseeds<br />
Research<br />
Ashok Kumar A, JANILA P, SUJATHA M and<br />
HEMALATHA V. <strong>2010</strong>. Inheritance studies on<br />
morphological traits in Castor (Ricinus communis<br />
L.). Journal of Oilseeds Research 26:98-101.<br />
391
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
52. 2006-9758 Journal of<br />
Plant Breeding<br />
and Crop<br />
Science<br />
Li Y, Bhosale S, HAUSMANN BIG, Stich B,<br />
Melchinger AE and Parzies HK. <strong>2010</strong>. Genetic<br />
diversity and linkage disequilibrium of two<br />
homologous genes to maize D8: Sorghum SbD8<br />
and pearl millet PgD8. Journal of Plant Breeding<br />
and Crop Science 2:117-128. online at:<br />
http://www.academicjournals.org/jpbcs/PDF/pdf<br />
%20<strong>2010</strong>/May/Li%20et%20al..pdf<br />
53. Print:0019-<br />
638X,<br />
Online:0974<br />
-0228<br />
54. Print:0019-<br />
638X,<br />
Online:<br />
0974-0228<br />
55. Print:0971-<br />
636X,<br />
Online:0973<br />
-5399<br />
56. Print:0971-<br />
7811,<br />
eISSN:<br />
0974-1275<br />
Journal of the<br />
Indian Society<br />
of Soil Science<br />
Journal of the<br />
Indian Society<br />
of Soil Science<br />
Journal of<br />
Tropical<br />
Agriculture<br />
Journal Plant<br />
Biochemistry<br />
and<br />
Biotechnology<br />
Chander G, Verma TS and SHEETAL<br />
SHARMA. <strong>2010</strong>. Nutrient contents in<br />
cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L. var. botrytis)<br />
as influenced by boron and farm yard manure in<br />
North Western Himalayan alfisols. Journal of the<br />
Indian Society of Soil Science 58(2):248-251.<br />
http://discover-decouvrir.cisti-icist.nrccnrc.gc.ca/dcvr/ctrl?action=shwart&aix=3&aid=<br />
16077154<br />
SHIRISHA K, Sahrawat KL, Murthy KVS, Wani<br />
Suhas P, Gajbhiye PN and Kundu S. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Comparative evaluation of ICP-AES and<br />
turbidimetric methods for determining<br />
extractable sulfur in soils. Journal of the Indian<br />
Society of Soil Science 58: 323-326.<br />
Sharma S, Chander G and Verma TS. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Soil microbiological and chemical changes in<br />
rice-wheat cropping system at Palampur<br />
(Himachal Pradesh) after twelve years of<br />
Lantana camara L. residue incorporation.<br />
Journal of Tropical Agriculture<br />
48(1-2):64-67.<br />
Mahendar T, REVATHI M, Wani Suhas P,<br />
LEELA T, David A Hoisington and Rajeev K<br />
Varshney. <strong>2010</strong>. Analysis of Genetic Diversity<br />
in Pongamia [Pongamia pinnata (L) Pierre]<br />
using AFLP Markers. Journal Plant Biochemistry<br />
and Biotechnology 19(2):209-216.<br />
57. 1569-8424 LEISA INDIA Ravinder Reddy Ch, Parthasarathy Rao P,<br />
Birajdar D, Alur AS, Rajasekhar Reddy A,<br />
Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS and Gowda CLL.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Linking small-scale sorghum and pearl<br />
Millet farmers to credit institutions- a case study.<br />
LEISA INDIA 12:4.<br />
392
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
58. Midlands State<br />
University<br />
Journal of<br />
Science,<br />
Agriculture<br />
and<br />
Technology<br />
59. 0027-8424 National<br />
Academy of<br />
Sciences<br />
60. 0730-2207 Plant Breeding<br />
Review<br />
61. 0730-2207 Plant Breeding<br />
Reviews<br />
62. Plant Genetic<br />
Resources<br />
Nyamangara J and Makumire TB. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Nitrogen mineralization from fresh and<br />
composted animal manures applied to a sandy<br />
soil. Midlands Status University Journal of<br />
Science, Agriculture and Technology 2(1):25-34.<br />
Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.<br />
LU Y, Zhang S, Shah T, Xie C, HAO Z, Li X,<br />
Farkhari M, Ribaut JM, Cao M, Rong T and<br />
Xu Y. <strong>2010</strong>. Joint linkage–linkage disequilibrium<br />
mapping is a powerful approach to detecting<br />
quantitative trait loci underlying drought<br />
tolerance in maize. <strong>2010</strong>. National Academy of<br />
Sciences, USA PNAS 107:19585-19590.<br />
Varshney RK, Thudi M, May GD and Jackson<br />
SA. <strong>2010</strong>. Legume genomics and breeding. Plant<br />
Breeding Review 33:257-304.<br />
Dwivedi SL, Upadhyaya HD, Subudhi P,<br />
Gehring C, Bajic V and Ortiz R. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Enhancing abiotic stress tolerance in cereals<br />
through breeding and transgenic interventions.<br />
Plant Breeding Reviews 33:31-114.<br />
MURAYA MM, Geiger HH, MUTEGI E,<br />
Kanyenji BM, Sagnard S, DE VILLIERS S,<br />
Kiambi D and Parzies HK. <strong>2010</strong>. Geographical<br />
patterns of phenotypic diversity and structure of<br />
Kenyan wild sorghum populations (Sorghum<br />
spp) as an aid to germplasm collection and<br />
conservation strategy. Plant Genetic Resources<br />
8:217-224. doi:10.1017/S1479262110000225.<br />
63. Plant Soil DEVI JM, Sinclair TR and Vadez V. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Genotypic variability among peanut (Arachis<br />
hypogea L.) in sensitivity of nitrogen fixation to<br />
soil drying. Plant Soil 330:139-148.<br />
64. Print ISSN:<br />
1749-0359<br />
Plant Stress<br />
Sahrawat KL. <strong>2010</strong>. Reducing iron toxicity in<br />
lowland rice with tolerant genotypes and plant<br />
nutrition. Plant Stress 4(Special Issue 2):70-75.<br />
65. 1578-4460 Regional and<br />
Sectoral<br />
Economic<br />
Studies<br />
Reddy AA. <strong>2010</strong>. Regional Disparities in Food<br />
Habits and Nutritional Intake in Andhar Pradesh,<br />
India Regional and Sectoral Economic Studies<br />
10(2):125-134.<br />
393
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
66. Earth and<br />
Environmental<br />
Science<br />
67. 0012-9976 Economic and<br />
Political<br />
Weekly<br />
68. 0012-9976 Economic and<br />
Political<br />
Weekly<br />
69. 0971-8664 Indian Journal<br />
of Agricultural<br />
Marketing<br />
70. 0004-4555 The Asian<br />
Economic<br />
Review<br />
Karen Garrett, Forbes G, Pande S, Savary<br />
S, Sparks A, Valdivia C, Vera Cruz C and<br />
Willocquet L. 2009. Anticipating and<br />
responding to biological complexity in the<br />
effects of climate change on agriculture. IOP<br />
Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental<br />
Science 6 (2009).<br />
http://iopscience.iop.org/1755-<br />
1315/6/37/372007<br />
Reddy AA. 2009. Pulses Production<br />
technology: Status and way forward.<br />
Economic & Political Weekly, December 26,<br />
2009-1 January <strong>2010</strong> 52:73-80.<br />
Reddy AA. 2009. Policy Options for India’s<br />
Edible Oil Complex. Economic and Political<br />
Weekly, 10-17, October 2009, 41:22-24.<br />
Parthasarathy Rao P and Birthal PS. 2009.<br />
Marketing of agricultural produce in rainfed<br />
regions of India: Emerging scenario. Indian<br />
Journal of Agricultural Marketing 23(3):125-<br />
139.<br />
Kumara Charyulu D and Rao KPC. 2009.<br />
Risk Attitudes of farmers in Mahabubnagar<br />
district of Andhra Pradesh and their<br />
determinants. The Asian Economic Review<br />
51(1):79-89.<br />
394
E-SAT Journal Articles<br />
SNo. ISSN No. Journal Name Journal Article<br />
1. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
2. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
3. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
4. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
5. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS, Ravinder<br />
Reddy CH, Blummel M, Srinivasa Rao P,<br />
Ramaiah B and SANJANA REDDY P.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Enhancing the harvest window for<br />
supply chain management of sweet<br />
sorghum for ethanol production. E-Journal<br />
of SAT Agricultural Research. 8:1-5.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/volume8/Sorghu<br />
m_Millets/Enhancing_the.pdf.<br />
Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS, Sahrawat<br />
KL and Ramaiah B. <strong>2010</strong>. Combating<br />
micronutrient malnutrition: Identification<br />
of commercial sorghum cultivars with<br />
high grain iron and zinc. E-Journal of SAT<br />
Agricultural Research. 8: 1-5.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/volume8/Sorghu<br />
m_Millets/Combating_micronutrient.pdf<br />
Basavaraj G, Parthasarathy Rao P,<br />
BHAGAVATULA S and Ahmed W.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Availability and utilization of<br />
pearl millet in India. E-Journal of SAT<br />
Agricultural Research. 8:1-6<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/Volume8/IMPI/<br />
Availability_and_utilization.pdf<br />
Gupta SK, Rai KN and Suresh Kumar M.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Effect of genetic background on<br />
fertility restoration of pearl millet hybrids<br />
based on three diverse cytoplasmicnuclear<br />
male-sterility systems. E-Journal<br />
of SAT Agricultural Research. 8: 1-4.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/volume8/Sorgh<br />
um_Millets/Effect_of_genetic.pdf<br />
Meena HP, Kumar J, Upadhyaya HD,<br />
Bharadwaj C, Chauhan SK, Verma<br />
AK and Rizvi AH. <strong>2010</strong>. Chickpea<br />
(Cicer arietinum L.) mini core<br />
germplasm collection as rich sources of<br />
diversity for crop improvement. E-<br />
Journal of SAT Agricultural Research.<br />
8:1-5.<br />
395
E-SAT Journal Articles<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/Volume8/Chick<br />
pea_pigeonpea/Chickpea_mini_core.pdf<br />
6. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
7. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
8. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
9. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
10. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
MULA RP, Rai KN and Yadav SK.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Case study of adoption of a pearl<br />
millet variety in a non-target region. E-<br />
Journal of SAT Agricultural Research. 8:<br />
1-5.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/volume8/Sorgh<br />
um_Millets/Case_study_of.pdf<br />
Parthasarathy Rao P, Basavaraj G,<br />
Ahmad W and BHAGAVATULA S.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. An analysis of availability and<br />
utilization of sorghum grain in India. E-<br />
Journal of SAT Agricultural Research.<br />
8:1-8.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/Volume8/IMPI/<br />
An_analysis_sorghum.pdf<br />
Reddy BVS, Ashok Kumar A, SANJANA<br />
REDDY P, Ibrahim M, Ramaiah B,<br />
Dakheel AJ, Ramesh S and<br />
Krishnamurthy L . <strong>2010</strong>. Cultivar options<br />
for salinity tolerance in sorghum. E-<br />
Journal of SAT Agricultural Research. 8:<br />
1-5.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/volume8/Sorghu<br />
m_Millets/Cultivar_options.pdf<br />
Reddy BVS, Sharma HC, Thakur RP and<br />
Ashok Kumar A. <strong>2010</strong>. Characterization<br />
of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Bred Sorghum Restorer<br />
lines. E-Journal of SAT Agricultural<br />
Research. 8: 1-9.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/Volume8/Sorghu<br />
m_Millets/Characterization_of_.pdf<br />
Swamy SVSG, Sharma HC, Kumar CS,<br />
Sharma KK and Subbaratnam GV. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Use of indices based on consumption and<br />
utilization of food as a criterion to<br />
evaluate putative transgenic pigeonpea<br />
plants for resistance to pod borer<br />
Helicoverpa armigera. E-Journal of SAT<br />
Agricultural Research. 8:1-7.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/Volume8/Chick<br />
pea_pigeonpea/Use_of_indices.pdf<br />
396
E-SAT Journal Articles<br />
11. 3973-3094 E-Journal of<br />
SAT<br />
Agricultural<br />
Research<br />
Thakur RP, Sharma R, Srinivasa Rao P,<br />
SANJANA REDDY P, Rao VP and<br />
Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong>. Evaluation of sweet<br />
sorghum hybrid parents for resistance to<br />
grain mold, anthracnose, leaf blight and<br />
downy mildew. E-Journal of SAT<br />
Agricultural Research. 8:1-5.<br />
http://ejournal.icrisat.org/volume8/Sorgh<br />
um_Millets/Evaluation_of_sweet.pdf<br />
397
Book Chapters<br />
1. Anantha KH. <strong>2010</strong>. Distressed livelihoods: Groundwater Depletion and Coping<br />
Strategies of Farming Communities in Hard Rock Areas of Karnataka. Pages ____<br />
in Ecological economics: An approach towards socioeconomic and environmental<br />
sustainability (Sunil Nautiyal and Bibhu Prasad Nayak, eds.). Institute for Social<br />
and Economic Change (ISEC), Bangalore and National Institute of Ecology (NIE),<br />
Jaipur/Delhi.<br />
2. BHATNAGAR-MATHUR P, Rao S, Vadez V and Sharma KK. <strong>2010</strong>. Transgenic<br />
strategies for improved drought tolerance in legumes of Semi-Arid Tropics. Pages<br />
261-279 in Water and Agricultural Sustainability Strategies (Manjit S Kang, ed.).<br />
CRC Press Taylor and Francis, UK.<br />
3. Byjesh K, Kumar SN and Aggarwal PK. <strong>2010</strong>. Simulating impacts, potential<br />
adaptation and vulnerability of maize to climate change in India. Pages 413-431 in<br />
Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change. Springer Publication:<br />
ISSN-1381-2386.<br />
4. Chand Ramesh, Pandey LM and Garg S. <strong>2010</strong>. Rise and decline of rainfed agriculture.<br />
Pages ___ in Rainfed agriculture in India: perspective and challenges, (Singh Surjeet and<br />
Rathore MS, eds.). Rawat Publications, Jaipur. ISBN 81-316-0311-3 (Print)<br />
www.rawatbooks.com/book_detail.aspx?category_id=49<br />
5. Deshpande S, Srinivasa Rao P, Hash CT and Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong> Genomics and<br />
bioengineering of lignin biosynthetic pathway genes. Pages 37-58 in Brown<br />
midrib sorghum—current status and potential as novel ligno-cellulosic feedstock<br />
of bioenergy (Rao PS, Pralashma RS and Deshpande S, eds.). Lap Lambert<br />
academic publishing Gmbh and Co KG, Germany.<br />
6. Gowda CLL, Pasternak D, Kumar S, Nikiema A and Woltering L. <strong>2010</strong>. Crop<br />
diversification with horticultural crops for enhancing income and improving<br />
livelihoods of farmers in dryland areas. Pages 269-279 in Horticulture and<br />
Livelihoods Security (Nath Prem and Gaddagimath PB, eds.). Scientific Publishers<br />
(India), Jodhpur, India.<br />
7. Hossain M and Deb U. <strong>2010</strong>. Volatility in rice prices and policy responses in<br />
Bangladesh. Pages 91-108 in The Rice Crisis: Markets, Policies and Food Security<br />
(Dawe D, ed.). London and Washington, D.C.: Earthscan.<br />
8. Pande S, Narayana Rao J, SHARMA M, Pathak M and Stevenson P. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Mass-screening techniques for early selection of disease resistance in chickpea.<br />
Pages 201-234 in Mass Screening Techniques for Early Selection of Disease<br />
Resistance in Neglected Crops: A critical Appraisal (Manoela Miranda, Springer<br />
and Verlag, eds.). International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).<br />
398
9. Pande S, SHARMA M and Narayana Rao J. <strong>2010</strong>. Botrytis Gray Mold. Pages 42-<br />
45 in Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests (Weidong Chen,<br />
Sharma HC and Fred J Muehlbauer, eds.). The American Phytopathological<br />
Society (APS PRESS). ISBN 978-0-89054-383-2. 165pp.<br />
10. Prakasham RS, Srinivasa Rao P, Sudheer Kumar Y, Sreenivas Rao R,<br />
Deshpande S, Hobbs P, Umakanth AV and Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong>. Introduction to<br />
bmrs. Pages 74-95 in Brown midrib sorghum—current status and potential as<br />
novel ligno-cellulosic feedstock of bioenergy (Srinivasa Rao, Pralashma RS and<br />
Deshpande S, eds.). Lap Lambert academic publishing Gmbh and Co KG,<br />
Germany.<br />
11. Rajasekhar D, Gagan Bihari Sahu and Anantha KH. <strong>2010</strong>. Growing Rural-<br />
Urban Disparity in Karnataka. Serials Publishers, New Delhi. April <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
12. Ranga Rao GV. <strong>2010</strong>. Identification, distribution and management of thrips on<br />
lentil. Pages 124-25 in Compendium of Chickpea and Lentil Diseases and Pests<br />
CABI. (Weidong Chen, Hari C Sharma and Fred J Muehlbauer, eds.), APS press,<br />
St. Paul, USA, 165pp.<br />
13. Rao KV, Venkateswarlu B, Sahrawat KL, Wani Suhas P, Mishra PK, Dixit S,<br />
Srinivasa Reddy K, Manoranjan Kumar and Saikia US. eds. <strong>2010</strong>. Proceedings of<br />
National Workshop-cum-Brain Storming on Rainwater Harvesting and Reuse<br />
through Farm Ponds: Experiences, Issues and Strategies. 21-22 April 2009.<br />
CRIDA, Hyderabad. 242pp.<br />
14. Sharma HC, Dhillon MK, BHATNAGAR-MATHUR P and Sharma KK. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Potential of transgenic grain legumes for management and sustainable crop<br />
production. Pages 135-158 in Pests and Pathogens: Management Strategies<br />
(Dashavantha Reddy Vudem, Nagaraja Rao Poduri and Venkateswara Rao<br />
Khareedu, eds.). BS Publications. ISBN: 978-81-7800-227-9.<br />
15. Sharma HC, Gowda CLL, Ranga Rao GV, Dhillon MK, and El Bouhssini M.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Pest Management in chickpea. Pages 150-152 in Compendium of Chickpea<br />
and Lentil Diseases and Pests CABI. (Weidong Chen, Hari C Sharma and Fred J<br />
Muehlbauer, eds.), APS press, St. Paul, USA. 165 pp.<br />
16. Sharma HC, Srivastava CP, Durairaj C and Gowda CLL. <strong>2010</strong>. Pest<br />
management in grain legumes and climate change. Pages 115-139 in Climate<br />
change and management of cool season grain legume crops (Yadav SS et al., eds.).<br />
Dordrecht, The Netherlands: Springer Science + Business Media.<br />
17. Singh Piara, Pathak P, Wani Suhas P and Sahrawat KL. <strong>2010</strong>. Integrated<br />
watershed management for increasing productivity and water-use efficiency in<br />
semi-arid tropical India. Pages 181-205 in Water and Agricultural Sustainability<br />
Strategies (Kang MS, ed.). CRC Press/Balkema, Taylor and Francis Group, 2300<br />
AK Leiden, the Netherlands.<br />
18. Srinivasa Rao P, Deshpande S, Prakasham RS and Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong><br />
Composition and characterization of bmr sorghums. Pages 9-36 in Brown midrib<br />
399
sorghum—current status and potential as novel ligno-cellulosic feedstock of<br />
bioenergy (Srinivasa Rao, Pralashma RS and Deshpande S, eds.). Lap Lambert<br />
academic publishing Gmbh and Co KG, Germany.<br />
19. Srinivasa Rao P, Prakasham RS, Umakanth AV, Deshpande S, Ravikumar S and<br />
Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong>. Introduction. Pages 1-7 in Brown midrib sorghum—current<br />
status and potential as novel ligno-cellulosic feedstock of bioenergy (Srinivasa<br />
Rao, Pralashma RS and Deshpande S, eds.). Lap Lambert academic publishing<br />
Gmbh and Co KG, Germany.<br />
20. Srinivasa Rao P, Ravikumar S, Prakasham RS, Deshpande S and Reddy BVS.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Bmr – from efficient fodder trait to novel substrate for futuristic biofuel:<br />
Way forward. Pages 99-112 in Brown midrib sorghum—current status and<br />
potential as novel ligno-cellulosic feedstock of bioenergy (Srinivasa Rao,<br />
Pralashma RS and Deshpande S, eds.). Lap Lambert academic publishing Gmbh<br />
and Co KG, Germany.<br />
21. Umakanth AV, Srinivasa Rao P, Prakasham RS and Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong>. Brown<br />
midrib sorghums use in dairy industry. Pages 59-73 in Brown midrib sorghum—<br />
current status and potential as novel ligno-cellulosic feedstock of bioenergy<br />
(Srinivasa Rao, Pralashma RS and Deshpande S, eds.). Lap Lambert academic<br />
publishing Gmbh and Co KG, Germany.<br />
22. Upadhyaya HD, Kashiwagi J, Varshney RK, Gaur PM, Saxena KB,<br />
Krishnamurthy L, Gowda CLL, Pundir RPS, Chaturvedi SK, Basu PS and Singh<br />
IP. <strong>2010</strong>. Phenotyping chickpeas and pigeonpeas for adaptation to drought. Pages<br />
347-355 in Drought phenotyping in crops: from theory to practice (Philippe<br />
Monneveux and Jean-Marcel Ribaut, eds.). Generation Challenge Programme.<br />
23. Varshney RK, PAZHAMALA L, Kashiwagi J, Gaur PM, Krishnamurthy L and<br />
Hoisington DA. <strong>2010</strong>. Genomics and physiological approaches for root trait<br />
breeding to improve drought tolerance in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Pages<br />
233-250 in Root Genomics (de Oliveira AD and Varshney RK, eds.), Springer,<br />
Germany.<br />
24. Varshney RK. <strong>2010</strong>. Gene-based marker systems in plants: high throughput<br />
approaches for discovery and genotyping. Pages 119-142 in Molecular Techniques<br />
in Crop Improvement, Vol II, (Jain SM and Brar DS, eds.), Springer, The<br />
Netherlands.<br />
25. Vara Prasad PV, Vijaya Gopal K and Upadhyaya HD. 2009. Growth and<br />
Production of Groundnut, in Soils, Plant Growth and Crop Production. Pages 26 in<br />
Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS), Developed under the Auspices<br />
of the UNESCO (Willy H Verheye, ed.). Eolss Publishers, Oxford, UK,<br />
[http://www.eolss.net] [Retrieved February 19, 2011].<br />
400
Books and Journal Volumes<br />
1. Ajeigbe HA and Dashiell K. <strong>2010</strong>. Participatory research extension approach:<br />
N2Africa extension method. 39pp. IITA, Ibadan, Nigeria. Based on: Ellis-<br />
Jones J, Schulz S, Chikoye D, De Haan N, Kormawa P and Adezwa D. 2005.<br />
Participatory research and extension approaches: a guide for researchers and<br />
extension workers for involving farmers in research and development. IITA,<br />
Ibadan, Nigeria, and Silsoe Research Institute, UK. 52pp.<br />
2. Ajeigbe HA, Singh BB, Musa A, Adeosun JO, Adamu RS and Chikoye D.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Improved cowpea-cereal cropping systems: cereal-double cowpea<br />
system for northern Guinea savanna Zone. International Institute of Tropical<br />
Agriculture, Ibadan Nigeria. 17 pp.<br />
3. Ajeigbe HA and Woomer PL. <strong>2010</strong>. Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Grain<br />
Legume Enterprise: Guidelines for N2Africa Lead Farmers. Tropical Soil<br />
Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Centre for Tropical<br />
Agriculture. Nairobi/International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan<br />
Nigeria. 21 pp.<br />
4. Birthal PS, Parthasarathy P, Nigam SN, BANTILAN MCS and<br />
BHAGAVATULA S. <strong>2010</strong>. Groundnut and Soybean Economies in Asia:<br />
Facts, Trends and Outlook. Book no. 50 (BOE 050), Patancheru 502 324,<br />
Andhra Pradesh, India: <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. 92 pp. ISBN: 978-92-9066-531-1.<br />
5. Dwivedi SL, Perotti E, Upadhyaya HD and Ortiz R. <strong>2010</strong>. Sexual and asexual<br />
(apomixis) plant reproduction in the genopmics era: Opportunities to increase<br />
food production. Sexual Plant Reproduction. DOI 10.1007/s00497-010-0144-x.<br />
ISSN 0934-0882 (Print) 1432-2145 (Online May 27, <strong>2010</strong>)<br />
6. Gujja B, Hash Jr CT, Sharma MM, TAMPAL F and Maqsood Javed SM.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Biodiversity @ <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-Patancheru, India (Version 2.0). International<br />
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>) and World<br />
Wide Fund for Nature (WWF): Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh, India. 386 + ix<br />
pp, and fold-out map.<br />
7. Mula MG and Saxena KB. <strong>2010</strong>. Lifting the level of awareness on pigeonpea:<br />
A global perspective. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid<br />
Tropics, Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India. ISBN: 978-92-9066-<br />
535-9. Order code. BOE 051. 540pp.<br />
8. Parthasarathy Rao P, Birthal PS, BANTILAN MCS and BHAGAVATULA S.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Chickpea and pigeon economies of Asia. Facts, trends and outlook.<br />
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (<strong>ICRISAT</strong>),<br />
Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India. 76 pp.<br />
9. Ravinder Reddy Ch, Nigam SN, Parthasarathy Rao P, Ahmed S, Ratnakar R,<br />
Raidu DV, Alur AS, Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS and Gowda CLL. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Village Seed Banks: An integrated seed system for improved seed production<br />
and supply – A case study. Information Bulletin No.87, International Crops<br />
401
Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics Patancheru, 502 324, Andhra<br />
Pradesh, India. 40pp.<br />
10. Rai KN, Gupta SK, BHATACHARJEE RANJANA, Kulkarni VN, Singh AK<br />
and Rao AS. eds. 2009. Morphological Characteristics of <strong>ICRISAT</strong>-bred<br />
Pearl Millet Hybrid Seed Parents. Patancheru 502324, Andhra Pradesh, India:<br />
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. 176pp.<br />
http://www.icrisat.org/what‐we‐do/publications/digital‐publications/icrisatpublications‐<strong>2010</strong>/morphological‐pearlmillet.pdf<br />
402
Conference Papers<br />
1. Birthal PS. <strong>2010</strong>. Contract farming in livestock: Some reflections on the conditions<br />
for success. Pages 116-125 in Indian Dairying-productivity and food safety.<br />
Proceedings of the 38 th Dairy Industry Conference. Indian Dairy Association<br />
(south Zone) Bengaluru, India. February 17-19, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.<br />
2. Birthal PS and A Kumar. <strong>2010</strong>. Improving efficiency of milk markets through<br />
institutional innovations for the benefit of smallholders. Volume 1, Pages 342-351<br />
(Lead Papers) in Optimizing buffalo productivity through conventional and novel<br />
technologies. Proceedings of the International Buffalo Conference, 1-4 February,<br />
New Delhi, India.<br />
3. Chander G, Wani Suhas P, Sahrawat KL and Mathur TP. <strong>2010</strong>. Water use<br />
efficiency enhanced through balanced nutrient management—A case study from<br />
Rajasthan. Pages 435-441, Volume I in Proceedings of International Conference<br />
on Environmental Management (Anji Reddy M and Vijaya Lakshmi T eds.).<br />
ICEM’10 (25-28 October, Hyderabad, India). BS Publications, Hyderabad, India.<br />
4. CHOUDHARY S, Hash CT, Prem Sagar, Prasad KVSV and Blümmel M. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Near Infrared Spectroscopy estimation of pearl millet grain composition and feed<br />
quality. Pages 1-4 in Proceedings of the 14th International Conference on NIR<br />
Spectroscopy. IM Publication, Chichester, UK.<br />
5. DEVASIRVATHAM V, Tan DKY, Trethowan RM, Gaur PM and<br />
MALLIKARJUNA N. <strong>2010</strong>. Impact of high temperature on reproductive stage of<br />
chickpea. In Proceedings of the 15th Australian Society of Agronomy Conference,<br />
15-18 Nov <strong>2010</strong>, Christ Church, New Zealand. Available online at<br />
http://www.regional.org.au/au/asa/<strong>2010</strong>/climate-change/hightemperature/7039_devasirvatham.htm#TopOfPage<br />
6. Gowda CLL, Dar WD, Upadhyaya HD and Yadav D. <strong>2010</strong>. Biodiversity and<br />
achieving the UNMDG of having hunger and poverty by 2015. Pages 24-27 in<br />
International Conference on Biodiversity in relation to food & human security in a<br />
warming planet, 15-17 February <strong>2010</strong>. MSSRF Chennai, India.<br />
7. Herrmann L, HAUSMANN BIG and Traore PS. <strong>2010</strong>. Biodiversity as adaptation<br />
strategy of West African farmers towards climate varaibility. Paper presented at<br />
the International conference “Tropentag”, held at Zuerich, Switzerland, September<br />
14-16, <strong>2010</strong>. Full paper (4 pages) online<br />
http://www.tropentag.de/<strong>2010</strong>/abstracts/full/248.pdf<br />
8. JORGE MA, Claessens G, HANSON J, Dulloo ME, GOLDBERG E,<br />
THORMANN I, Alemayehu S, Gacheru E, Amri A, Benson E, DUMET D, Roux<br />
N, Rudebjer P, Hamilton RS, SANCHEZ I, SHARMA S, Taba S, Upadhyaya HD<br />
and HOUWE IVD. <strong>2010</strong>. Knowledge sharing on best practices for managing crop<br />
genebanks. Pages 1-8 in Proceedings of Scientific and Technical Information and<br />
Rural Development IAALD XIIIth World Congress, Montpellier, 26-29 April<br />
<strong>2010</strong>.<br />
403
9. Kesava Rao AVR and Wani Suhas P. <strong>2010</strong>. Climate change and adaptation<br />
strategies in the Semi-Arid Tropics. Pages 13-22 in Proceedings of the<br />
International Seminar on “Future Farming” at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, 03-04<br />
December <strong>2010</strong>. State Horticulture Mission - Kerala.<br />
10. Kumar S, Nepolean T, Sahrawat KL, Rai KN, Srivastava RK, Singh G and Hash<br />
CT. <strong>2010</strong>. Transgressive segregants for grain Fe and Zn density from two pearl<br />
millet RIL mapping populations. AP Science Congress and Annual Convention of<br />
A.P Akademi of Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad<br />
(JNTUH), India, 18-20 Nov. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
11. Laxmipathi Gowda CL, Pasternak D and Kumar S. <strong>2010</strong>. Crop diversification with<br />
horticultural crops for enhancing incomes and improving livelihoods of poor<br />
farmers in dryland areas. Pages 269-279 in Proceedings of the International<br />
Conference on Horticulture (ICH-2009) (Nath P and Gaddagimath PB, eds.).<br />
Bangalore, India, 9-12 November 2009. Dr Prem Nath Agricultural Science<br />
Foundation, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.<br />
12. MGONJA M, Oketayot C, Sheunda P, Ojulong H, Manyasa E and Audi P. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Agricultural Research, Analysis, and Policy Partnerships. Pages 9-45 in New<br />
research and technologies that could increase crop yields, enhance soil fertility and<br />
future partnerships for growth of the agriculture sector across southern.<br />
Responding to Immediate Needs and Building a Foundation for Long-Term<br />
Agricultural Growth and Poverty Reduction. August <strong>2010</strong>, Nairobi Kenya.<br />
13. MGONJA M. <strong>2010</strong>. Domesticating the Harmonized Seed Security Project<br />
(HASSP), Potential Challenges and Opportunities. Pages 1-16 in Key note paper<br />
prepared and submitted to the Food Agricultural and Natural Resources Policy<br />
Analysis Network (FANRPAN) May <strong>2010</strong>, Kopanong-South Africa. 16 pp.<br />
14. MULA RP, Wani Suhas P, Rai KN and Balaji V. <strong>2010</strong>. Lessons drawn from<br />
women’s participation in <strong>ICRISAT</strong> R&D projects: Talking points for climate<br />
change initiatives. Presented during the conference on Climate Change and Society<br />
on 21-24 June <strong>2010</strong> at the Royal Norwegian Society of Sciences and<br />
Letters,Trondheim, Norway.<br />
http://climsec.prio.no/paper_view.aspx<br />
www.dknvs.no/climsec<br />
15. Palanisami K, Suresh Kumar D, Wani Suhas P, Mark Giordano and Praduman<br />
Kumar. <strong>2010</strong>. Evaluation of Watershed Development Programs in India using the<br />
Economic Surplus Method. Pages 45-59 in Proceedings of National Workshopcum-Brain<br />
Storming on Rainwater Harvesting and Reuse through Farm Ponds:<br />
Experiences, Issues and Strategies. 21-22 April 2009. CRIDA, Hyderabad.<br />
16. Pande S and SHARMA M. <strong>2010</strong>. Climate change and rainfed crop diseases in<br />
India: Assumptions and Preparedness. (Extended summary) Pages 4-7 in Indian<br />
Phytopathological Society Symposium and Annual Zonal Meet (Delhi Chapter) on<br />
16 th November, <strong>2010</strong>, at Division of Plant Pathology, IARI, New Delhi.<br />
404
17. Pande S, Desai S, and SHARMA M. <strong>2010</strong>. Impact of Climate Change on Rainfed<br />
Crop Diseases: Current Status and Future Research Needs. Pages 55-59 (Lead<br />
Papers) in National Symposium on Climate Change and Rainfed Agriculture,<br />
(Venkateswaru B, Mishara PK, Rao VUM, Ravindra Chary G, Srinivasa Rao CH,<br />
Sharma KL, Gopinath KA and Balloli SS, eds.) February 18-20, <strong>2010</strong>. Indian<br />
Society of Dryland Agriculture, Central Research Institute for Dryland<br />
Agriculture, Hyderabad, India.<br />
18. Parthasarathy Rao P, Ravinder Reddy Ch, Ashok AS and Reddy BVS. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Linking farmers with millet markets. Pages 50-55 (Lead paper) in presented at<br />
National Seminar on Millets: Research and Development in Millets—Present<br />
Status and Future Strategies, organized by Directorate of Sorghum Research,<br />
Hyderabad and Directorate of Millets, GOI, Jodhpur, 12 November <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
19. Penmetsa RV, GARCIA NC, Rosen B, Gao J, Sarma BG, Datta S, Vail SL,<br />
Garzon L, Bett K, Vandenberg B, Woodward J, Blair M, Bertioli DJ, May GD,<br />
He G, Bruening GE, Varshney RK and Cook DR. <strong>2010</strong>. Studies of genome<br />
evolution in papilionoid legumes. Plant and Animal Genome XVIII Conference, 9-<br />
13 January <strong>2010</strong>, San Diego, USA. http://www.intlpag.org/18/abstracts/W24_PAGXVIII_178.html<br />
20. Ratnadass A, Avelino J, FERNANDES P, Habib R, Letourmy P and Sarah JL.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Designing ecologically intensive cropping systems for regulating pests and<br />
diseases via plant species diversification-based suppressive processes in the<br />
tropics. Pages 523-524 in Proceedings of Agro<strong>2010</strong> the XIth ESA Congress, Aug<br />
29-Sep 3, Montpellier, France.<br />
21. Reddy AA and RADHIKA RANI. <strong>2010</strong>. Women Employment and Wages in Rural<br />
Andhra Pradesh, The 52nd Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Labour<br />
Economics held at Karnatak University, Karnataka, India, 17-19, December' <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
http://www.isleijle.org/ijle/IssuePdf/ProgramSummary.pdf<br />
22. Sharma HC. <strong>2010</strong>. Global warming and climate change: Impact on arthropod<br />
biodiversity, pest management, and food security. Pages 1-14 in Souvenir,<br />
National Symposium on Perspectives and Challenges of Integrated Pest<br />
Management for Sustainable Agriculture, 19-21 Nov <strong>2010</strong> (Thakur RK, Gupta, PR<br />
and Verma AK, eds.). Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India: Indian Society of<br />
Pest Management and Economic Zoology/ Dr YS Parmar University of<br />
Horticulture and Forestry.<br />
23. Srinivasa Rao M, Ranga Rao GV, Venkateswarlu B. <strong>2010</strong>. Impact of climate<br />
change on Insect-pests. Pages 43-54 in Proceedings of National symposium on<br />
Climate change and rainfed agriculture, 18-20 February <strong>2010</strong>. Organized by Indian<br />
Society of Dryland Agriculture (ISDA) and Central Research Institute for Dryland<br />
Agriculture (CRIDA), Hyderabad, India.<br />
24. Srinivasa Rao P, Reddy BVS, Thakur RP, Sharma HC, Basavaraj G, Parthasarathy<br />
Rao P, Ravinder Reddy Ch, Ashok Kumar A, Blümmel M and Sharma KK. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Relevance of sweet sorghum as an alternative bioethanol feedstock in India – a<br />
retrospective analysis. 3 rd International Biofuels India <strong>2010</strong>- Sustainable Biofuels<br />
405
Markets and Technology Development, Oct 27-29, New Delhi, India<br />
http://dspace.icrisat.ac.in/bitstream/10731/3650/1/SweetSorghumCII15pp.pdf<br />
25. Wani Suhas P and Boomiraj K. <strong>2010</strong>. Climate Change – Water, Food and<br />
Environment Security. Volume-II, Pages 1302-1328 In Proceedings of the 3 rd<br />
International Conference on Hydrology and Watershed Management With a Focal<br />
Theme on Climate Change – Water, Food and Environmental Security. Organized<br />
on the occasion of Silver Jubilee Year (2009-<strong>2010</strong>) of Centre for Water Resources,<br />
Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University,<br />
Hyderabad. 3-6 February <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
26. Wani Suhas P, SREEDEVI TK, Sudi R, Pathak P and MARCELLA D’SOUZA.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Groundwater Management an Important Driver for Sustainable<br />
Development and Management of Watersheds in Dryland Areas. Pages 195-209 in<br />
2 nd National Ground Water Congress. Govt. of India. Ministry of Resources. 22<br />
March <strong>2010</strong>. New Delhi.<br />
27. Gopalakrishnan S, Rupela OP, Humayun P, Kiran BK, SAILASREE J, ALEKHYA<br />
G and Sandeep D. 2009. Bioactive secondary metabolites from PGPR and<br />
Botanicals. Page 45-51 in Plant Growth Promotion by Rhizobacteria for Sustainable<br />
Agriculture. Proceedings for first Asian PGPR Congress, Acharya NG Ranga<br />
Agricultural University, Rahendranagar, Hyderabad, India.<br />
28. Kiran BK, Gopalakrishnan S, Rupela OP, Humayun P and Reddy G. 2009. Assessing<br />
actinomycetes from herbal vermicomposts and their evaluation for PGP traits. Page<br />
569-575 in Plant Growth Promotion by Rhizobacteria for Sustainable Agriculture.<br />
Proceedings for first Asian PGPR Congress, Acharya NG Ranga Agricultural<br />
University, Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.<br />
29. Sharma HC. 2009. Insect pests and pest management in India: The changing scenario.<br />
Pages 1-24 in Summer School on Changing Pest Scenario and Management<br />
Strategies (Ramesh Babu T, Dharma Reddy K, Koteswara Rao SR, Umamaheswari<br />
T and Sridevi D, eds.). Rajendranagar, Andhra Pradesh, India: Department of<br />
Entomology, ANGR Agricultural University.<br />
30. Sharma HC. 2009. Host plant resistance to insects: Potential and limitations. Pages<br />
203-221 in Summer School on Changing Pest Scenario and Management Strategies<br />
(Ramesh Babu T, Dharma Reddy K, Koteswara Rao SR, Umamaheswari T and<br />
Sridevi D, eds.). Rajendranagar, Andhra Pradesh, India: Department of<br />
Entomology, ANGR Agricultural University.<br />
31. Sharma HC. 2009. Insecticidal genes for deployment in genetically engineered<br />
plants for resistance to insect pests. Pages 222-237 in Summer School on Changing<br />
Pest Scenario and Management Strategies (Ramesh Babu T, Dharma Reddy K,<br />
Koteswara Rao SR, Umamaheswari T and Sridevi D, eds.). Rajendranagar, Andhra<br />
Pradesh, India: Department of Entomology, ANGR Agricultural University.<br />
32. Vijay Krishna Kumar K, Krishnam Raju S, Reddy MS, LAWRENCE KK, Groth<br />
DE, Miller ME, Hari Sudini and Binghai Du. 2009. Field Efficacy of Commercial<br />
Formulations of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Plant Extracts against Rice Sheath<br />
406
Blight Disease. Pages 616-620 in Proceedings of First Asian PGPR Congress for<br />
Sustainable Agriculture (Desai S, Reddy MS, Krishna Rao V, Sarma YR, Chenchu<br />
Reddy B and Reddy KRK, eds.), 21-24 June 2009, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh,<br />
India.<br />
407
Monographs<br />
1. Ajeigbe HA, Dashiell K and Woomer PL. <strong>2010</strong>. Biological Nitrogen Fixation<br />
and Grain Legume Enterprise: Guidelines for N2Africa Lead Farmers. Tropical<br />
Soil Biology and Fertility Institute of the International Centre for Tropical<br />
Agriculture Nairobi / International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan<br />
Nigeria. 21pp.<br />
2. Asfaw S, Shiferaw B, Simtowe F, Muricho G, Abate T and Ferede S. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Socio-economic assessment of legume production, farmer technology choice,<br />
market linkages, institutions and poverty in rural Ethiopia. Research <strong>Report</strong><br />
no.3. Nairobi 39063-00623, Kenya, International Crops Research Institute for<br />
the Semi Arid Tropics. 73pp.<br />
3. BANTILAN MCS, TEMPLETON DEBBIE and Crasswell Eric.<strong>2010</strong>. ACIAR<br />
Concepts and tools for agricultural research evaluation and impact. <strong>Report</strong> on<br />
Master Class on Impact Assessment, Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh,<br />
India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.<br />
Published by Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR<br />
Monograph Series) Canberra Australia. 86pp.<br />
4. Deb U, KHALED N, Bairagi SK, Amin MA, Ahamad MG and TASNIMA K.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Achieving Boro Rice Production Targets in FY2009-10: Challenges and<br />
Action Required. CPD Occasional Paper 87: Dhaka: Centre for Policy Dialogue<br />
(CPD). http://www.cpd.org.bd/pub_attach/op87.pdf<br />
5. Kamanda JO and BANTILAN MCS. <strong>2010</strong>. The Strategic Potential of Applied<br />
Research: Developing International Public Goods from Development-oriented<br />
Projects. Working Paper Series no 26. Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh,<br />
India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. 32pp.<br />
6. Kassie M, Shiferaw B and Muricho G.<strong>2010</strong>. Adoption and Impact of Improved<br />
Groundnut Varieties on Rural Poverty Evidence from Rural Uganda<br />
Environment for Development Discussion Paper Series May <strong>2010</strong>. EFD DP 10-<br />
11.<br />
7. Kassie M, Shiferaw B, Asfaw S, Abate T, Muricho G, Teklewold H, Eshete M<br />
and Assefa K. <strong>2010</strong>. Current situation and future outlooks of the chickpea subsector<br />
in Ethiopia. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Working Paper, <strong>ICRISAT</strong> and EIAR, 39pp.<br />
http://www.icrisat.org/tropicallegumesII/pdfs/Current_Situation.pdf<br />
8. Kumara Charyulu D and Subho Biswas. <strong>2010</strong>. Economics and Efficiency of<br />
Organic farming vis-à-vis Conventional Farming in India. Working paper <strong>2010</strong>-<br />
04-03. Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. 26pp.<br />
http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/assets/snippets/workingpaperpdf/<strong>2010</strong>-04-<br />
03Charyulu.pdf<br />
408
9. Kumara Charyulu D and Subho Biswas. <strong>2010</strong>. Efficiency of Organic input units<br />
under NPOF scheme in India. Working paper <strong>2010</strong>-04-01. Indian Institute of<br />
Management, Ahmedabad. 27pp.<br />
http://www.iimahd.ernet.in/assets/snippets/workingpaperpdf/<strong>2010</strong>-04-<br />
01Kumaracharyulu.pdf<br />
10. Mausch K. <strong>2010</strong>. Poverty, Inequality and the Non-farm Economy: The Case of<br />
Rural Vietnam. ISBN 978-3-8325-2461-6 Logos Publishing house, Berlin.<br />
11. Mazvimavi K, Minde IJ, Murendo C and Ndlovu P. <strong>2010</strong>. Zimbabwe<br />
Emergency Agricultural Input Project (ZEAIP) Post Planting Impact Assessment<br />
<strong>Report</strong>. A report submitted to GRM International. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Bulawayo. 21pp.<br />
12. Mazvimavi K, Minde IJ, Murendo C and Ndlovu P. <strong>2010</strong>. Zimbabwe<br />
Emergency Agricultural Input Project (ZEAIP) Retail Vouchers Assessment<br />
<strong>Report</strong>. A report submitted to GRM International. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Bulawayo. 22pp.<br />
13. Mazvimavi K, Minde IJ, Murendo C and Ndlovu P. <strong>2010</strong>. Zimbabwe<br />
Emergency Agricultural Input Project (ZEAIP) Post Harvest <strong>Report</strong>. A report<br />
submitted to GRM International. <strong>ICRISAT</strong> Bulawayo. 22pp.<br />
14. Mazvimavi, K. <strong>2010</strong>. Socio-Economic Analysis of Conservation Agriculture in<br />
Southern Africa. Network Paper 02. Food and Agricultural Organization of the<br />
United Nations (FAO), Regional Emergency Office for Southern Africa (REO-<br />
SA). Johannesburg.<br />
15. Minten B, Alam AZMS, Deb U, Kabir AZK, Laborde D, Hassanullah M,<br />
Murshid KAS. <strong>2010</strong>. Agricultural Marketing, Price Stabilization, Value Chains,<br />
and Global/Regional Trade. Dhaka: Bangladesh Food Security Investment<br />
Forum.<br />
http://bangladeshfoodsecurity.files.wordpress.com/<strong>2010</strong>/05/ag_marketing.pdf<br />
16. Pande S and SHARMA M. <strong>2010</strong>. Change for chickpea. Scientists find that<br />
higher temperature and drought associated with clime change make the chickpea<br />
more susceptible to fungal disease. In CGIAR NEWS, Nov. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
17. Panwar NR, Saha JK, Tapan A, Kundu S, Biswas AK, Rathore A, Ramana<br />
S, Srivastava S and Rao AS. <strong>2010</strong>. Soil and water pollution in India: Some<br />
case studies. Division of Environmental Soil Science, Indian Institute of Soil<br />
Science.<br />
18. Ranga Rao GV, Marimuthu S, Wani Suhas P and Rameshwar Rao. <strong>2010</strong>. Insects<br />
pests of Jatroppha curcas., L. and their management. Information bulletin.<br />
Patancheru, Andhra Pradesh 502 324, India : International Crops Research<br />
Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics. 24pp.<br />
19. Ravinder Reddy Ch, Nigam SN, Parthasarthy Rao P, Ahmed Shaik, Ratnakar<br />
R, Ashok Alur, Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS and Gowda CLL. <strong>2010</strong>. Village<br />
seed banks: An integrated seed system for improved seed production and supply<br />
– a case study. Information Bulletin No. 87. Patancheru 502 324, Andhra<br />
409
Pradesh, India: International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics.<br />
40pp.<br />
20. Sharma HC. <strong>2010</strong>. Applications of Biotechnology for Insect Pest Management:<br />
Potential and Limitations. VII th Dr S Pradhan Memorial Lecture, 22 May <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
New Delhi, India: Division of Entomology, Indian Agricultural Research<br />
Institute. 59pp.<br />
21. Simtowe F, Shiferaw B, Asfaw S, Abate T, Monyo E, Siambi M and Muricho G.<br />
<strong>2010</strong>. Socio-economic assessment of baseline pigeonpea and groundnut<br />
production conditions, farmer technology choice, market linkages, institutions<br />
and poverty in rural Malawi. <strong>ICRISAT</strong>. 127pp.http://www.icrisat.org/what‐wedo/impi/projects/tl2‐publications/research‐reports/rr‐pp‐gn‐malawi.pdf<br />
22. Simtowe S, Shiferaw, B, Kassie M, Abate T, Silim S, Siambi M, Madzonga O,<br />
Muricho G and Kananji G. <strong>2010</strong>. Assessment of the Current Situation and<br />
Future Outlooks for the Pigeonpea Sub-sector in<br />
Malawi.http://www.icrisat.org/what-we-do/impi/projects/tl2-<br />
publications/regional-situation-outlook-reports/rso-pp-malawi.pdf<br />
23. Subbarao GV, Nakahara K, Ishikawa T, Kishii M, Kudo N, Rao IM, Ishitani M,<br />
Sahrawat KL, Hash CT, George TS, Berry W, LATA JC and Ito O. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Nitrification – is it a strategic point of intervention for limiting nitrogen losses<br />
from agricultural systems? JIRCAS Bulletin No. _. 37pp. Japan International<br />
Research Center for Agricultural Sciences (JIRCAS): Ibaraki 305-8686, Japan.<br />
24. Reddy AA. 2009. Factor Productivity and Marketed surplus of Major Crops in<br />
India, Socio-Economics Research Division, Planning Commission, Government<br />
of India, Yojana Bhawan, New Delhi, India. 69pp.<br />
http://planningcommission.nic.in/reports/sereport/ser/ser_fpm.pdf<br />
25. Reddy AA. 2009. Draft report on impact of WTO on oilseed Growers and<br />
Processors in India: A case study of Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, South<br />
Asia Network of Economic research Institutions (SANEI), Pakistan. 96pp.<br />
http://www.saneinetwork.net/research/sanei9/Study%205/Abstract.pdf<br />
410
International Newsletters<br />
1. Deb U. <strong>2010</strong>. Adapt and Thrive. Forum. 3(5).<br />
http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/<strong>2010</strong>/may/adapt.htm<br />
2. Deb U. <strong>2010</strong>. Cash Incentives for Agricultural Export. Executive Times.<br />
www.exectimes.com/content/Jul10/AGRICULTURE.asp<br />
3. Deb U. <strong>2010</strong>. Public Private Partnership for Agricultural Development.<br />
Executive Times.<br />
www.exectimes.com/content/june10/AGRICULTURE.asp<br />
4. Gopalakrishnan S. <strong>2010</strong>. Factors responsible for higher yields in SRI. SRI<br />
News Letter 2 (1):8-9.<br />
5. Homann Kee Tui S and van Rooyen A. <strong>2010</strong>. Creating Partnerships for<br />
Change: Successes of Innovation Platforms in Southern Africa in<br />
SATrends http://www.icrisat.org/what-wedo/satrends/satrends<strong>2010</strong>/satrends_feb<strong>2010</strong>.htm<br />
6. Ravinder Reddy Ch, Nigam SN, Parthasarathy Rao P, Ahmed S,<br />
Ratnakar R, Raidu DV, Alur AS, Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS and<br />
Gowda CLL. <strong>2010</strong>. Village seed banks: An integrated seed system for<br />
improved seed production and supply – A case study. Information Bulletin<br />
No. 87, International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics<br />
Patancheru, 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India. 40pp.<br />
7. Ravinder Reddy Ch, Parthasarathy Rao P, Sanjay Birajdhar, Ashok<br />
Alur, A Rajashekar Reddy, Ashok Kumar A, Reddy BVS and Gowda<br />
CLL. <strong>2010</strong>. Linking small-scale sorghum and pearl Millet farmers to<br />
credit institutions- a case study <strong>2010</strong>. LISA INDIA, 12:13-16.<br />
8. Reddy AA. <strong>2010</strong>. Rural Banking Strategies for Inclusive Growth, The<br />
India Economy Review. 7(2):8-12.<br />
http://www.iipmthinktank.com/publications/archive/ier/ier-may-<strong>2010</strong>.pdf<br />
9. Reddy AA. <strong>2010</strong>. Strategic Planning for Profitable Egg Production in<br />
India, World Poultry, Doetinchem, The Netherlands. Pages:16-17.<br />
http://www.worldpoultry.net<br />
10. Saxena KB, Mula MG, Sugui FP, Domoguen RL and Dar WD. <strong>2010</strong>.<br />
Cashing in on the commercial potentials of pigeonpea. Agri-Cordillera<br />
Magazine 22(1):22-23.<br />
11. Saxena KB, Mula MG, Sugui FP, Domoguen RL and Dar WD. <strong>2010</strong>. The<br />
multiple uses of pigeonpea. Agri-Cordillera Magazine. 22(1):20-21.<br />
411
12. Saxena KB, Mula MG, Sugui FP, Domoguen RL and Dar WD. <strong>2010</strong>. Why<br />
grow pigeonpea in the Philippines. Agri-Cordillera Magazine. 22(1):18-19.<br />
13. Singh NP. <strong>2010</strong>. Mystery behind food price spiral, The Economic Times,<br />
27 Dec <strong>2010</strong>. 8pp.<br />
14. Van Rooyen A and Homann Kee Tui S. <strong>2010</strong>. New Agriculturist –<br />
Livestock and Livelihoods:A Partnership Approach.<br />
http://www.new-ag.info/focus/focusItem.php?a=1617<br />
412