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Recent Submissions
Prevalence and incidence of lentil viruses in Nepal
Author(s): Khadka, Ram; Kumari, Safaa; Van Leur, Joop (Australasian Plant Pathology Society, 2024-10-31)
Date: 2024-10-31
Type: Conference Paper
Status: Open access
As one of the world's largest lentil producers, Nepal’s lentil industry faces significant threats from biotic and abiotic factors. Fungal diseases are well known however the impact of viral diseases on lentil production is less clear. A comprehensive survey was conducted in 21 districts from six provinces and all agroecological regions of Nepal during the 2023-24 lentil growing season to document the presence of lentil viruses. Disease assessments were done in 94 fields using standard survey protocols. A 4911 random and 1785 systematic plant samples were collected and tested for the presence of viruses using tissue-blot immuneassay (TBIA); a battery of polyclonal (PAb) and monoclonal (MAb) antibodies were used. TBIA results showed that the most prevalent viruses affecting lentil were Pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) (overall incidence in random samples was 12.24%) and luteoviruses (4.95%) that reacted with the broad-spectrum luteovirid MAb (5G4) and other MAbs produced against viruses belong to the genus Polerovirus, family Solemoviridae. This indicates that there are more luteoviral species in Nepal, which need to be verified by further molecular testing. Other viruses such as Alfalfa mosaic virus and Cucumber mosaic virus were detected at low incidence (less than 1%). All tested samples were negative to Faba bean necrotic yellows virus, Chickpea chlorotic dwarf virus, Pea enation mosaic virus and Broad bean stain virus. The high incidence of PSbMV highlights the necessity for seed testing in the lentil seed certification system. The widespread occurrence of viruses in lentils in Nepal has the potential to cause serious yield losses. The results of this survey will provide the basic information to support Nepal's lentil breeding program in developing virusresistant varieties
Effect of intercropping oats with alfalfa on dry matter yield, nutritive value, in vitro ruminal fermentation kinetics and silage quality
Date: 2024-10-30
Type: Thesis
Status: Open access
Oats (Avena sativa L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)) intercropping is a recent practice in Ethiopia. However, there is limited knowledge on the ideal planting density for oats and alfalfa when intercropped to achieve a mixture of high nutritional quality for use as animal feed. A field experiment was carried out to study the effect of seed ratio on yield components (total dry matter and seed), nutritional value (CP, OM, NDF, ADF, ADL and Ash), in vitro fermentation kinetics (gas production, short chain fatty acids), silage quality (physical and chemical properties) and soil improvement (PH, OC, OM, EC, CEC, TN, K, P) of oats and alfalfa grown in the pure stand and intercropping system. The experiment was conducted at the Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center under irrigation conditions during February - June 2022/2023 in Adami Tulu Jiddo Kombolcha District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Treatments consisted of one adapted oats (bate) variety and one alfalfa (magna 788) accession in an additive design at three plant densities (25%, 50%, and 75% of their recommended sole seed rates of 80 and 15 kg per hectare for oats and alfalfa respectively) and the recommended 100% plant density of sole oats and sole alfalfa:T1¬-(sole oats), T2- (sole alfalfa), T3- (75% oats + 25%alfalfa), T4- (50% oats + 50% alfalfa), T5- (25% oats + 75% alfalfa) arrangement. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four replications. Results showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) in all tested parameters of agronomic yield, chemical composition of forage and silage, soil improvement and fermentation kinetics data. The highest DMY (14.64t/ha) was recorded from T4, followed by T3 (14.51t/ha). OM, CP, Ash, NDF, ADF, ADL and IVDMD revealed significant variation (p<0.05) among the treatments both in forage and silage. OM and CP content of oats+alfalfa produced in intercrop particularly from T4 seed ratio(92.08 and 17.33) tends to be better due to alfalfa component in the intercrop than that of sole oats(92.03 and 11.53) but lower than pure stand of alfalfa(93.53 and 21.2)respectively. According to the results obtained, the total physical score of the silages, consisting of the sum of the smell, color, moldiness and structure scores ranged between 3.08-3.32 and the physical quality class of the silages ranged between middle-very good classes. It was determined that the silage DM, NDF, ADF and ADL ratios decreased, and the pH, OM and CP values increased statistically (P<0.05) in parallel with the increase in the alfalfa ratio in the mixture. The analysis of soil samples showed an increased level (P<0.05) of (OM, OC, EC, CEC, TN, K and P) of soil nutrients based on treatment combinations. All treatment groups indicated a slight change (P>0.05) in pH values above the initial recorded average value of 4.43 in the experiment. The pH of the soil after forage harvest was statistically higher(P<0.05) in sole oats (6.15) and sole alfalfa (6.3) than that of their mixtures. In vitro gas and methane production as well as short chain fatty acids were all statistically (P<0.05) affected by seeding ratio of oats with alfalfa with the highest values observed in sole alfalfa and followed by intercropped groups and the lowest in sole oats. Total gas production, methane and short chain fatty acids production increased with increasing proportion of alfalfa seed ratio in the mixture. While T1(sole oats) produced the lowest methane than other treatments. Generally, in the present study the seed ratio combinations of T4 and T3 were the best performing in most agronomic, nutritional values, improved soil fertility, fermentation properties of their silage and balancing gas and methane production both in forage and silage and it is recommended for fodder production in the studied area and related agro-ecology. Further studies should test the effect of oats and alfalfa intercropping on live animal performance.
Editorial: Trends and perspectives for the use of crop wild relatives in crop breeding
Author(s): Ortiz, Rodomiro; Bassi, Filippo; Rao, Mahesh; Rubiales, Diego (Frontiers Media)
Date: 2024-05-21
Type: Journal Article
Status: Open access
Crop wild relatives (CWRs) represent a fundamental cornerstone for enhancing agrobiodiversity, fostering sustainable agriculture, and bolstering overall food and nutrition security. These invaluable genetic resources where never pampered by the help of human farmers, so still harbour a plethora of genes encoding traits crucial for adaptability to harsh environments, resilience against pathogens and pests, efficient input and resource utilization, and enhanced nutritional profiles. Their vast genetic reservoir, coupled with the diverse microbiota they host, presents a treasure for the development of more robust, nutritious, and high-yielding cultivars, thereby enriching farming systems worldwide. Despite their immense significance, a multitude of CWRs are currently imperilled, confronting threats stemming from intensive agricultural practices, rapid urbanization, environmental pollution, and the impacts of climate change. There exists a conspicuous gap in our understanding of the breadth of diversity inherent within CWRs and how this diversity can be harnessed to enhance crop improvement and agricultural practices. Regrettably, efforts toward their conservation and integration into breeding programs remain notably deficient.
Assessing the proximate compositions of indigenous forage species in Yemen’s pastoral rangelands
Author(s): Louhaichi, Mounir; Al-koor, Basel; Gamoun, Mouldi; Abdurahman, Anwar; Hassan, Sawsan (De Gruyter)
Date: 2024-11-11
Type: Journal Article
Status: Open access
Plant diversity in southern Yemen is crucial for maintaining rangeland ecosystem functions. This diversity contributes to the resilience of local pastoral communities, by providing essential forage and resources. However, high stocking density has led to the overuse of palatable species, resulting in increased competition for forage. This study evaluates the nutritional value of 25 indigenous forage species from the natural rangelands of Lahij Governorate. Significant variations were observed among the Forage species, with moisture content ranging from 4 to 39.6%, crude protein from 5.5 to 21.4%, non-fiber carbohydrates from 31.8 to 66.4%, crude fiber from 8.3 to 42.65%, and ash content from 9.2 to 34.6%. Clitoria ternatea, Lycium barbarum, Senegalia mellifera, Vigna sinensis, Albizia lebbeck, and Acacia trees with crude protein content higher than 16% showed substantial potential as livestock feed due to their favorable proximate compositions. Incorporating these high-potential species into regular livestock diets could significantly enhance the sustainability and productivity of pastoral systems in southern Yemen, addressing the current fodder shortage.
AMMI and GGE Biplot Analyses for Mega- Environment Identification and Selection of Some High-Yielding Oat (Avena sativa L.) Genotypes for Multiple Environments
Author(s): Wodebo, Kibreab; Tolemariam, Taye; Demeke, Solomon; Garedew, Weyessa; Tesfaye, Tessema; Ekule, Muluken; Gemiyu, Deribe; Bedeke, Worku; Wamatu, Jane; Mamta, Sharma (International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), 2024-10-30)
Date: 2024-10-30
Type: Poster
Status: Open access
To lessen the impact of Genotype x Environment interaction and to increase the precision and reliability of genotype selection, the yield and stability of performance should be taken into account simultaneously. Two methodologies of analysis (AMMI and GGE) approved selecting ILRI_5527A/G6 for a further breeding program or for high-production growers in Adiyo, Doyogena, Chencha and Hulla locations of Central Ethiopia.