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).     

Identification of CMS maintainers and restorers for hybrid rice development in Ghana

The cytoplasmic-genetic male sterility is the most widely used system for hybrid rice (Oryza sativa) seed production. It requires three lines: the two hybrid parents (A and R lines) and a third line (maintainer (B line)), which maintains the sterility of the female parent during seed increase. Studies were undertaken to identify maintainers and restorers for introduced cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and testcrosses. Molecular screening with SSR marker RM6100 grouped the assembled inbred lines into 30 potential restorers and 55 potential maintainers. One maintainer (WAS 127 -12-1-6-3-1) and 16 restorers were confirmed by testcrosses. WAS 127-12-1-2-3 had higher grain yield per plant in crosses with CMS1 (IR69625A) than the local checks (AgraRice and Jasmine 85) and could be used as a restorer to develop a locally adapted, high-yielding hybrid. Conversion of WAS 127 -12-1-6-3-1 into a local CMS line was stopped because of sterility instability in the BC₁F₁ generation. Continued testcrosses to the set of identified potential maintainers could help identify a stable one that can successfully be converted into a locally adapted CMS line.     

生物质炭与氮肥配施对春小麦产量及其C︰N︰P的影响

碳(C)、氮(N)、磷(P)生态计量化学为研究作物-土壤生态系统物质循环及其能量流动提供了崭新视角,研究生物质炭配施不同用量氮肥下小麦C、N、P计量特征,可为探明区域养分限制性以及进行合理施肥等提供理论依据。本文通过田间定位试验,测定施50 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥、100 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥、施生物质炭、生物质炭与50 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥配施、生物质炭与100 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥配施等处理下小麦产量、CNP含量及其生态化学计量等指标。结果表明:相比空白对照(不施氮肥和生物质炭)处理,其他不同处理均显著提高了小麦秸秆和籽粒产量,除了单施生物质炭处理,其他处理均不同程度提高了小麦地上部各器官N含量,生物质炭配施不同用量氮肥显著提高了茎秆和籽粒C和P含量。计量比结果表明,相比对照处理,生物质炭和50 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥配施显著降低了叶片C∶N和C∶P,生物质炭和100 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥配施处理则显著降低了茎秆C∶N、C∶P、N∶P以及籽粒C∶N、C∶P。研究区小麦叶片N∶P大多为18~23,因此小麦可能受到P元素的限制。生物质炭配施氮肥显著提高了作物产量,增加了小麦CNP养分含量,降低了植物C∶N、C∶P、N∶P。总体而言,生物质炭配施100 kg(N)·hm~(-2)氮肥施肥措施的综合表现最优。     

Combining ability of cassava genotypes for cassava mosaic disease and cassava bacterial blight, yield and its related components in two ecological zones in Ghana

Breeding for resistant genotypes is the best strategy to offset the destructive effects of cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava bacterial blight (CBB). Two sets of diallel parents were selected for the forest and the savannah ecological zones in Ghana based on good levels of resistance to CMD and CBB. Both sets were crossed in a half-diallel design. The first set of seven progenitors and their 21 F1 progenies were planted in a randomised complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in two different locations for two seasons in the forest ecology. The second set of five progenitors and their 10 F1 progenies were planted in a RCBD with three replications in two locations in the coastal savannah ecological zone of Ghana. Both experiments were evaluated for CMD and CBB resistance, fresh root yield, dry root yield, root number, harvest index, dry matter content, plant height at maturity and height at first branching, levels of branching and plant vigour. Results of the combined analysis of variance revealed that the environment effect was significant for all the traits. General combining ability and specific combining ability effects were significant for most of the traits. Narrow sense heritability was significant for plant vigour, root number, CMD and CBB in both the zones. CMD and root number also had a predictability ratio of close to one, indicating the importance of additive gene effects.     

An economic evaluation methodology for smallholder maize research and extension: Zimbabwe

An economic evaluation methodology is proposed for assessing the returns to research and extension activities designed to increase household maize production and financial returns to smallholders. Multiple regression and least significant difference analysis of smallholder production data are combined to estimate economic returns to research and extension activities in selected high rainfall regions in Zimbabwe. Results indicate that economic returns are substantially higher for agronomic compared to varietal research and extension.