Participatory varietal selection in rice in Nepal in favourable agricultural environments – A comparison of two methods assessed by varietal adoption

Two participatory approaches to varietal selection were compared in February-sown (Chaite) rice and main-season rice in high potential production systems in Nepal. One method, called farmer managed participatory research (FAMPAR), was researcher intensive, while the other, called informal research and development (IRD), demanded fewer resources. The trials were conducted in 18 villages in high potential production systems in Chitwan and Nawalparasi districts of Nepal. Six new varieties of Chaite rice and 16 of main-season rice were tested in over 300 trials of Chaite rice and nearly 1100 trials of main-season rice over two years in 1997 and 1998. Surveys were done in 1997, 1998 and 1999 to record the extent of adoption and spread of the new rice varieties in the study villages. In many cases, farmers tested varieties for two years before deciding whether to adopt or drop them. Varieties were quite widely accepted, adopted for niches in a few villages, or rejected. The two participatory approaches identified the same varieties, but FAMPAR, which used formal survey methods, was more useful for diagnosing reasons for adoption or rejection. However, IRD used much cheaper anecdotal methods of evaluation, so it was more cost-effective. Moreover,farmer-to-farmer seed dissemination was higher in IRD villages, probably because farmers in FAMPAR villages felt that the project would re-supply seed if needed. The benefits from both approaches are considerable, but to adopt them substantial policy changes in varietal testing, release and extension systems will be required. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Wheat grain yield and stability assessed through regional trials in the Eastern Gangetic Plains of South Asia

Improving the level and stability of grain yield is the primary objective of wheat breeding programs in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) of South Asia. A regional wheat trial, the Eastern Gangetic Plains Yield Trial (EGPYT), was initiated by CIMMYT in collaboration with national wheat research programs in Bangladesh, Nepal, and India in 1999–2000 to identify wheat genotypes with high and stable grain yield, disease resistance, and superior agronomic traits for the EGP region. A set of 21 wheat experimental genotypes selected from a regional wheat screening nursery in South Asia, three improved widely grown cultivars (Kanchan, PBW343 and Bhrikuti), and one long-term cultivar (Sonalika) were tested at 9–11 sites in six wheat growing seasons (2000–2005) in the EGP. The 21 experimental genotypes were different in each year, whereas the four check cultivars were common. In each year, one or more of the experimental genotypes showed high and stable grain yield and acceptable maturity, plant height, and disease resistance compared to the check cultivars. Three improved cultivars have already been commercially released in the region through EGPYT and many germplasm lines have been used in the breeding programs as parents. Identification of wheat genotypes with high-grain yield in individual sites and high and stable yield across the EGP region underlines their value for regional wheat breeding programs attempting to improve grain yield and agronomic performance.     

High yielding spring bread wheat germplasm for global irrigated and rainfed production systems

Global wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production must increase 2% annually until 2020 to meet future demands. Breeding wheat cultivars with increased grain yield potential, enhanced water-use efficiency, heat tolerance, end-use quality, and durable resistance to important diseases and pests can contribute to meet at least half of the desired production increases. The remaining half must come through better agronomic and soil management practices and incentive policies. Analyses of the recent International Yield Trials indicate that grain yields of the best new entries were usually 10% higher than the local checks globally, as well as within a country across sites. Variation in yield across sites within a country/region underline the role of genotype × environment (GE) interaction and provides opportunities to select for stable genotypes, which is not often done. The lack of proper analysis undermines proper utilization of germplasm with high yield potential and stability in the national wheat breeding programs. Some of the best performers in irrigated areas were amongst the best in semiarid environments, reinforcing the fact that high yield potential and drought tolerance can be improved simultaneously. The best performing lines often had genotypic base of widely adapted genotypes Kauz, Attila, Baviacora, and Pastor, with genetic contributions from other parents including synthetic wheat. We recommend within country multilocation analysis of trial performance for a crop season to identify lines suiting particular or different locations within a country. The immediate feedback on GE interaction will also help in breeding lines for countries having substantial variation across locations and years.     

Location of genes for chlorophyll synthesis on specific arms of chromosomes in Triticum aestivum

Summary An Indian hexaploid wheat var. Pb C591 has been shown to carry gene(s) for chlorophyll synthesis on chromosome 3A (Singh & Joshi, 1979). In the present study cv. Pb.C591, its monosomic 3A and diteocentrics for 3A, 3BL and 3DL of var. Chinese Spring have been used. The F₂ segregation involving crosses between Pb.C591 as male, monosomic line 3A of Pb.C591 (female) and ditelocentrics 3A, 3BL and 3DL of cv. Chinese Spring as male and female respectively has been observed. It has been found that there are two dominant genes regulating chlorophyll synthesis in cv. Chinese Spring. These genes are located on chromosomes arms 3A and 3DS respectively.These chlorophyll synthetic genes must be the same which were postulated by Sears (1956, 1957) as the normal alleles of virescent gene v ₂ (which was located on 3BS) on chromosomes 3A(v ₁) and 3D(V ₃).     

West Valley-derived radionuclides in the Niagara river area of Lake Ontario

The presence of West Valley-derived radionuclides in the densely-populated Niagara River/Lake Ontario region is demonstrated through measurements on water and sediment samples. The ¹³⁷Cs profile in a ²¹⁰Pb-dated Lake Ontario sediment core is consistent with the pattern of West Valley discharges to the local aquatic environment in that the observed ¹³⁷Cs activity maximum corresponds to the 1970 peak discharge and not the 1963 fallout peak activity. Preliminary mass balance estimate, based on a ¹³⁷Cs/⁹⁰Sr activity ratio of 1.5 and on the assumption that the dominant regional flow of Lake Erie transports most of the radionuclides to Lake Ontario va the Niagara River, shows that nearly all of the West Valley-delivered ¹³⁷Cs is deposited in the bottom sediments of Lake Ontario. It is suggested that any accidental releases of radioactivity from the site are likely to provide additional radiation dose to the area residents using municipal water supplies.     

Heterosis,molecular diversity,combining ability and their interrelationships in short duration maize (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Zea mays</Emphasis> L.) across the environments

Five inbred lines, 10 single cross maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids and two standard cultivars as check were used to study the combining abilities and heterosis under three environmental conditions. Random amplified polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs) markers were used to study the genetic diversity (GD) and further to analyze relationship of RAPDs based GD with combining ability and heterosis in short duration maize. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients and linear regressions were analyzed to identify the most important factor determining heterosis and per se performance of the hybrids. Variances due to general combining ability (GCA), specific combining ability (SCA) and their interactions with environment were found to be significant. Twenty random primers generated 179 RAPD fragments. Of these, 102 RAPD fragments were polymorphic. GD was determined using Jaccard’s similarity coefficient, and a dendogram was constructed by UPGMA cluster analysis. The RAPDs based GD exhibited non-significant negative or positive association, non-significant linear regression along with very low coefficient of determination (R ²) with SCA, high and mid parent heterosis (HP and MP) and per se performance of the hybrids. Significant positive correlations and regressions along with high coefficients of determination were recorded for SCA with HP, MP and per se performance of the hybrids. The HP and MP also established significant positive association and linear regression along with high coefficient of determination with per se performance of hybrids whereas the parental mean did not establish any significant correlations with the GD, HPH, MPH and grain yield of F₁s. The present investigation, therefore, did not find any role of RAPDs based GD in determining hybrid heterosis and hybrid performance in short duration sub-tropical maize. The SCA, however, has emerged as the most important factor in determination of heterosis as well as per se performance of the hybrids in short duration maize.     

Growth of Isolated Mesophyll Cells of Arachis hypogaea in Simple Defined Medium in vitro

Isolated mesophyll cells from leaflets of Arachis hypogaea can be cultured in a simple, defined liquid nutrient medium containing minerals, with an appropriate source of ammonia, sugar, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid, and kinetin. The significance of such a simple medium in understanding the problems of cell metabolism, growth, and morphogenesis is discussed.     

Phosphorylation of ULK1 (hATG1) by AMP-activated protein kinase connects energy sensing to mitophagy

Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a conserved sensor of intracellular energy activated in response to low nutrient availability and environmental stress. In a screen for conserved substrates of AMPK, we identified ULK1 and ULK2, mammalian orthologs of the yeast protein kinase Atg1, which is required for autophagy. Genetic analysis of AMPK or ULK1 in mammalian liver and Caenorhabditis elegans revealed a requirement for these kinases in autophagy. In mammals, loss of AMPK or ULK1 resulted in aberrant accumulation of the autophagy adaptor p62 and defective mitophagy. Reconstitution of ULK1-deficient cells with a mutant ULK1 that cannot be phosphorylated by AMPK revealed that such phosphorylation is required for mitochondrial homeostasis and cell survival during starvation. These findings uncover a conserved biochemical mechanism coupling nutrient status with autophagy and cell survival.     

Potential of Fodder Soybean Genotypes for Phosphorus Removal in Poultry Manure-Enriched Soils

Plant-based phosphorus (P) remediation strategies have been suggested to reduce high P accumulation in soil. Eleven fodder soybean genotypes were evaluated to explore their potential for the removal of P from poultry manure-enriched soils. Field experiments were conducted at a site that had a history of heavy poultry manure applications. Green house experiments were conducted using the soils selected for field trials to confirm the results. Harvesting of whole plants, excluding roots of the genotypes, was done at the pod formation stages and plant samples were oven dried at 70°C for three days. The dry samples were ground and analyzed for total P content. Genotype 091734, provided the maximum P removal from amended and unamended soils. Fodder soybean genotypes could play an important role in the extraction of P from poultry manure-enriched soils, which are important from the ecological point of view.