Improving participatory varietal selection processes: participatory varietal selection and the role of informal seed diffusion mechanisms for upland rice in Ghana

This paper considers the process of Participatory Varietal Selection (PVS) and presents approaches and ideas based on PVS activities conducted on upland rice throughout Ghana between 1997 and 2003. In particular the role of informal seed systems in PVS is investigated and implications for PVS design are identified. PVS programmes were conducted in two main agroecological zones, Forest and Savannah, with 1,578 and 1,143 mm of annual rainfall, respectively, and between 40 and 100 varieties tested at each site. In the Savannah zone IR12979-24-1 was officially released and in the Forest zone IDSA 85 was widely accepted by farmers. Two surveys were conducted in an area of the Forest zone to study mechanisms of spread. Here small amounts (1–2 kg) of seed of selected varieties had been given to 94 farmers. In 2002, 37% of 2,289 farmers in communities surveyed had already grown a PVS variety and had obtained seed via informal mechanisms from other farmers, i.e. through gift, exchange or purchase. A modified approach for PVS is presented which enables important issues identified in the paper to be accommodated. These issues include: utilising existing seed spread mechanisms; facilitating formal release of acceptable varieties; assessing post-harvest traits, and; the need for PVS to be an ongoing and sustainable process.     

加纳农业机械化发展潜力及制约因素（摘选）

作为政府职能的一部分实现联合国千年计划,即到2015年消除饥饿和极度贫困,为了实现经济可持续增长就需要现代化的农业。就这个问题而言,基于食品安全的必要性,在撒哈拉以南的非洲地区和加纳,发展的重点正逐步转向农业机械化。如果没有行之有效的农业机械化,加纳的食品和农业部门将无法达到预期的经济影响。该文旨在归纳农业机械化的制约因素,提出适合加纳的有效的机械化途径。主要制约机械化的因素包括缺乏熟练的农机操作人员,农场规模小,不适当的政府政策和农机成本高。在认识到机械化对于国家农业发展中的巨大作用后,就需要制定适合的土地所有制政策框架,鼓励联合经营和定制雇佣机械,向农民传授有关投资知识,鼓励标准服务投入。      

Upland rice grown in soil-filled chambers and exposed to contrasting water-deficit regimes: II. Mapping quantitative trait loci for root morphology and distribution

Root morphological characteristics are known to be important in the drought resistance of some rice (Oryza sativa L.) varieties. The identification of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with root morphology and other drought resistance-related traits should help breeders produce more drought resistant varieties. Stability in the expression of root growth QTL across rooting environments is critical for their use in breeding programs. A greenhouse experiment in which a mapping population of 140 recombinant inbred lines and the parental varieties Bala and Azucena were grown in glass-sided soil chambers and evaluated for root growth and water uptake was conducted. In each of 2 years, two treatments were used; an early water-deficit (WD0) in which seeds were sown into wet soil but received no more water, and a late water-deficit (WD49) in which the plants were watered for 49 days and then received no water for a week. The major differences between treatments and years in dry matter partitioning and root growth traits are reported elsewhere. Here, the identification of QTLs for root growth traits by composite interval mapping is described. At LOD>3.2, there were six QTLs for the weight of roots below 90 cm and maximum root length, 11 for root to shoot ratio, 12 for the number of roots past 100 cm, and 14 for root thickness. A total of 24 regions were identified as containing QTLs (these regions often contained several QTLs identified for different root traits). Some were revealed only in individual experiments and/or for individual traits, while others were common to different traits or experiments. Seven QTLs, on chromosomes 1, 2, 4, 7, 9 (two QTLs) and 11, where considered particularly noteworthy. The complex results are discussed in the context of previously reported QTLs for root growth in other populations, the interaction between QTL with the environment and the value of QTLs for breeding.     

Intensification of an irrigated rice system in Senegal: Crop rotations,climate risks,sowing dates and varietal adaptation options

Feeding the future world population requires increased crop production. Here, we investigate the intensification option of increasing production by increasing cropping intensity and choice of varieties with different crop duration. We developed a model to generate, compare and visualise opportunities for single/double/triple cropping systems consisting of irrigated rice and optionally a vegetable. The model was applied in a case study in the Senegal River valley. Results showed that with appropriate choice of sowing dates, severe cold sterility in rice can be avoided, also in rice–rice crop rotations. At optimal sowing dates, simulated total long term average potential yields of single, double and triple cropping yields were 10.3, 19.0 and 18.9 t/ha respectively (total of 1,2 and 3 yields). With a hypothetical completely cold tolerant variety, yields could increase to 11.2, 20.2 and 20.9 respectively. Simulated Triple crop yields are hardly any higher than those of a double crop with two medium duration varieties. Delay in sowing due to late availability of resources (machinery, irrigation water allocation within a scheme, credits for pump fuel) is a known problem in the region. Therefore we also simulated how much delay was possible (width of the sowing windows) whilst still allowing for double cropping. We found enough delay was possible to allow for a rice–rice or a rice-vegetable crop. A rice-rice-vegetable triple cropping system would only be possible without delays and with a very short duration vegetable of 2 months. Most promising options to increase production are through shifting the sowing date to facilitate double cropping, adoption of medium duration varieties and breeding for cold tolerant varieties.     

Genetics of anther indehiscence with exerted stigmas and its application in hybrid rice breeding

Complete indehiscence of anthers accompanied with exerted stigmas outside the hull could be useful in hybrid rice breeding if the genetics and possible environmental effects are well understood. Studies were undertaken to identify the sources, confirm the mode of inheritance, and examine the possible environmental effects and potential application of anther indehiscence with exerted stigmas in hybrid rice breeding. Direct and reciprocal crosses were made between Jasmine 85, selected interspecific and intersubspecific lines and two wide compatibility varieties. The resulting F₁ progenies were evaluated for their expression of anther indehiscence and exerted stigmas. Expression of anther indehiscence with exerted stigmas by both direct and reciprocal crosses suggested no effect of cytoplasmic factors on the expression of the trait. Segregation analysis supported the 7:1 (indehiscence:dehiscence) mode of inheritance. Temperature and relative humidity could not modulate the fertility/sterility status of anther indehiscent plants. Utilization of anther indehiscence with exerted stigmas in hybrid rice breeding was hindered by trait fixation and propagation.     

不同耕作措施对旱作农田土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性的影响

为了探明陇中黄土高原旱作农田土壤水稳性团聚体崩解机制,以连续进行15年的不同耕作措施长期定位试验为研究对象,利用LB湿筛法(快速湿润法、慢速湿润法和预湿润后扰动法)和传统湿筛法探索了传统耕作(T)、传统耕作+秸秆还田(TS)、免耕(NT)、免耕+秸秆覆盖(NTS)4种耕作措施对陇中黄土高原旱作农田土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性的影响及其破坏机制。结果表明:不同耕作措施下,4种湿筛法处理后,0.25 mm非水稳性团聚体含量排序为:传统湿筛法快速湿润法预湿润后扰动法慢速湿润法;4种湿筛法处理后,团聚体平均重量直径排序为:慢速湿润法预湿润后扰动法快速湿润法传统湿筛法;不同耕作措施下,土壤团聚体相对崩解指数高于相对机械破坏指数。不同湿筛法处理后,在0~5 cm和5~10 cm土层均以NTS的水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径最高,且NTS处理的平均重量直径显著(P≤5%)高于NT和T处理;而10~30 cm土层,TS处理的水稳性团聚体含量和平均重量直径最高,且显著高于T处理的平均重量直径,但与NTS处理的平均重量直径无显著差异。不同耕作措施下的团聚体崩解指数和机械破坏指数均以T处理最高,NT次之,NTS处理最低。秸秆对0~5cm、5~10 cm、10~30 cm土层的团聚体崩解指数和机械破坏指数的降低均具有显著效应,而免耕仅在0~5 cm土层具有显著效应。因此,该区水稳性团聚体分散主要是由于水分入渗而引起的,且快速湿润时的破坏最大;同时,NTS处理可有效提升土壤水稳性团聚体稳定性,更有利于该区农田水土保持。     

Identifying heterotic groups and testers for hybrid development in early maturing yellow maize (Zea mays) for sub-Saharan Africa

Identification of heterotic groups and efficient testers, which are important prerequisites for the development of outstanding hybrids, has been a major challenge to its success, especially for early and extra-early germplasm. This study was carried out to (a) identify the most efficient heterotic grouping method for classifying a set of inbred lines and (b) determine the efficiency of testers in classifying inbred lines into heterotic groups. A total of 205 hybrids obtained by crossing 41 inbred lines with five standard testers were evaluated together with five hybrid checks under drought, low soil nitrogen (N), Striga-infested and optimal environments in Nigeria between 2014 and 2016. The heterotic group's specific and general combining ability (HSGCA) method was more effective in classifying the inbred lines into heterotic groups. Testers TZEI 17 and TZEI 23 were the most efficient across environments and could be invaluable for classifying other lines into heterotic groups and assessing combining ability of maize inbreds. In addition, these testers and heterotic groups represent an invaluable resource for development of outstanding hybrids in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).     

On-farm rice yield and its association with biophysical factors in sub-Saharan Africa

Although increase in rice (Oryza spp.) production is a common objective for rice-producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), basic information on yield and its variation at farm level is lacking. Field surveys were conducted in irrigated lowland (IL), rainfed lowland (RL), and rainfed upland (RU) rice production systems in 19 SSA countries in the 2012–2014 wet seasons. Mean yield varied widely across sites: 2.2–5.8 t/ha, 1.1–5.2 t/ha, and 1.0–2.5 t/ha in IL, RL, and RU, respectively. Rice yield levels differed between the agro-ecological zones (AEZs) with the highest yield in the semi-arid zone in IL, and in the highlands zone for RL and RU. Cluster analysis identified four groups using mean yields, coefficient of variation, and skewness of yield distribution of 42 site–production system combinations. Grouping was related to production system, AEZ, and field water condition. A high-yielding group with 5.3 t/ha mean yield and negative skewness had only four site–production system combinations. Other groups had mean yields from 1.6 to 3.5 t/ha with positive skewness. In these groups, research and development priority for lifting rice yield could be given to low-yielding IL and RL sites with large yield gaps. Raising rice yield in the humid zone irrespective of the production systems and RU across AEZs remain major challenges. Further assessment of the impact of farmers’ agricultural practices on yield variation is warranted to identify potential interventions to realize further yield enhancement.     

Genetic control of dry matter,starch and sugar content in sweetpotato

Sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas L. (Lam)) is a nutritious food security crop for most tropical households, but its utilisation is very low in Ghana compared to the other root and tuber crops due to lack of end-user-preferred cultivars. Knowledge on the genetic control of important traits such as dry matter, starch and sugar content of sweetpotato storage roots in a breeding population is critical for making breeding progress in developing sweetpotato varieties preferred by farmers and consumers. This study used diallel mating design to elucidate general combining ability and specific combining ability, to determine the gene action controlling storage root dry matter, starch and sugar content in sweetpotato and the heterotic potential of the traits to facilitate the crop’s improvement for increased utilisation. A general model for estimating genetic effects, GEAN II, was used to analyse the data. Genetic variability was seen for dry matter, starch and sugar content of sweetpotato and much of this genetic variation was additive in nature. The study also revealed significant heterosis in sweetpotato which offers opportunity for breeding non-sweet, high dry matter sweetpotato varieties that are preferred by farmers and consumers in Ghana.