Agro-ecological Areas Research Articles

Bioagents Induced Resistance to Ceratocystis fimbriata in Pomegranate

Pomegranate is the most important fruit crop consumed in the world. In India the plant is cultivated in almost all agroecological areas, however, yields remain low due to attacks by various pathogens and insects. Among the pathogens, wilt caused by Ceratocystis fimbriata is an important disease and its soil-borne pathogen is difficult to manage. To contribute to the control of this microbial pathogen, the stimulatory effect of the Pomegranate defense system of bioagents in the pomegranate interaction was evaluated. Resistance-inducing rhizobacteria offer an excellent alternative in providing natural, effective, safe, persistent, and durable protection. Plants have endogenous defense mechanisms that can be induced in response to the pathogen and bio-agents. The increased activities of the defense enzymes, viz. peroxidase (PO), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), phenylalamine ammonia lyase (PAL), and phenolic compounds in the bio-agents treated plants of pomegranate challenged with C. fimbriata were recorded in the present studies. The maximum activity of defense enzymes viz., peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and total phenol was recorded in diamond (T. viride) followed by T. harzianum (Th-R) and Platinum (P. fluorescens) indicating the role of bio-agents in increasing the role of defense enzymes in suppression of wilt.

Pathogenicity, virulence and in vitro sensitivity of Elsinoe perseae (= Sphaceloma perseae) isolates to different fungicides

Elsinoe perseae (= Sphaceloma perseae) is the causal agent of the Mancha purpura or scab in avocado (Persea americana). In this study, the pathogenicity and virulence of E. perseae isolates from different agroecological producing areas of Michoacán, Mexico will be reduced. For this, nursery plants with avocado fruits of Flor de María and Méndez varieties were used. On the other hand, the in vitro sensitivity of chemical fungicides (azoxystrobin, thiabendazole, pyraclostrobin, cyprodinil + fludioxonil and azoxystrobin + propiconazole) and authorized for use in orchards with organic management (copper sulfate, copper gluconate, copper oxychloride and the plant extract Larrea tridentata). The observed symptoms of Mancha purpura in the inoculated fruits were corroborated with those described for E. perseae in avocado. Inoculated fruits Flor de María variety shows the highest susceptibility to the pathogen. The isolates of E. perseae presented different degrees of virulence. The isolates showed different in vitro sensitivity values to the fungicides evaluated in the experiment. The pathogen showed the most sensitivity in vitro to chemical fungicides: thiabendazole and azoxystrobin + propiconazole (100% inhibition), and to those authorized in orchards with organic management: L. tridentata and copper oxychloride (on average 58% inhibition).

Plant Extracts Induced Resistance to Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici in Tomato

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the most consumed vegetable in the world after potato. In Cameroon, the plant is cultivated in almost all agroecological areas, however, yields remain low due to attacks by various pathogens and insects. Among the pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) is a phytopathogenic fungus responsible for Fusarium wilt, a disease responsible for enormous economic losses. To contribute to the control of this microbial pathogen, the stimulatory effect of the tomato defence system of extracts of some plants in the tomato/FOL interaction was evaluated. Tomato plants were treated with the aqueous extracts (AE) of Callistemon citrinus (C. citrinus), Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus), and Oxalis barrelieri (O. barrelieri ). After 4 days of spraying with the extracts, the plants were inoculated with a virulent strain of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. lycopersici (FOL) under controlled conditions. Tomato roots were used to determine the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), phenols and malondialdehyde (MDA). The activities of the main antioxidant enzymes were also evaluated in tomato roots: catalase (CAT), phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), peroxidase (POX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The results showed that treatment of tomato plants with plant extracts and their infection with FOL induced an increase in the contents of H2O2, phenols and MDA in tomato roots; an increase in PAL, POX, SOD activities and a reduction in CAT activity. Our results suggest that the increase and reduction of enzymatic activities, and the increase in the synthesis of some metabolites could mitigate the oxidative damage that takes place during the expansion of the pathogen. Aqueous extracts of C. citrinus, C. citratus and O. barrelieri at 10% (W/V) could be used as natural products to stimulate the tomato defence system against FOL. These results could contribute to the development of natural products to induce tomato resistance against FOL, thus improving productivity, quantity and quality of production.

Worldwide development of agronomic management practices for quinoa cultivation: a systematic review

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Wild.) is a drought and salinity-tolerant crop that originated in the Andes over 7000 years ago. It is adapted to different agroecological areas and can be grown from sea level to an altitude of 4000 m. The outstanding nutritional status of quinoa, with its high content of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, makes it a promising crop able to combat hunger and malnutrition in different countries in the 21st century. Quinoa cultivation has expanded from South America to Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Reviewing quinoa cropping practices will provide farmers with adequate recommendations for improving the agronomic and environmental sustainability of quinoa cultivation worldwide. For this reason, we conducted a systematic review of agronomic management practices in 148 field experiments conducted worldwide from 2000 to 2022. The collected data from the literature were analyzed and presented by location to determine high-performing genotypes, optimal planting dates, and other adequate cropping practices affecting quinoa performance and yield. Results showed that quinoa could be successfully cultivated in the new farming areas. Quinoa yields were higher than those reported in its place of origin, ranging from 108 kg ha-1, obtained by KU-2 in Washington State, to 9667 kg ha-1, obtained by Longli in China. Although quinoa is considered a crop with low input requirements, positive grain yield response was observed following increasing fertilization rates. Quinoa needs 2 to 4.6 kg of nitrogen to produce 1q of grain yield. In terms of phosphorus and potassium, quinoa needs 3.7 kg P2O5 and 4.3 kg K2O to produce 1 ton of total biomass. Quinoa has low water requirements (300-400 mm). However, a positive response was recorded with water quantities up to 866 mm. During our investigation, weed control in quinoa crop is still undeveloped and usually done manually. Research addressing this issue can increase quinoa yields and decrease the production cost. Downey mildew and birds’ attack are the major phytosanitary problems affecting quinoa grain yield. Other pests such as miners and aphids can also affect the health of quinoa, but their injury is not a serious problem. After the harvest, saponins found in the out layer of the seed can be removed through washing and mechanical pearling process, but the latter technic was found to be efficient and cost effective to reduce the saponin content. Our results constitute the first recommendation base for the adequate worldwide agronomic practices of quinoa crop.

Evaluation of the Risk of Epidemiology against Leafspot in Some Farmers Traditional Systems on Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Conservation in Cameroon Using Cramer’s Modified Test

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the epidemiology risk of cercospora leaf spot in groundnut’s protection into some farmers in Cameroon,
 Methodology: The research adopted new approches like Cramer’s modified test after the factorial analysis of components (fac). 224 farmers were investigated during this experimentation by answers to 8 questions about methods of protection against cercospora. Globally the test shows that the impact of this pathology is moderated and the value is 0.86, finding value after the use twice Cramer’s modified test and a modified scale.
 Findings: This result explain why farmers in Cameroon continue to produce in spite of the encrease of this pathology around the word. And we observe that the variables of production in zone 1 and zone 2 are very different.
 Recommendations: The factorial analyses components of 224 groundnut’s farmers show the presence of and the different models of in situ conservation in the north and south region in Cameroon. These two agro-ecological area are differed by variables which characterizes every location. The V’ epidemiological risk test shows that leaf spot risk is moderated (0.86) because the Cramer’s test who represents the intensity of knowledge about these diseases is weak (0.14). This reason explains why groundnut production is also sustainable in regard of the lost of yields by these pathologies around the world. Cameroon cannot use or import in high quantities chemical products to manage this disease, because his armful for the moment is very weak. 

Perception and adaptation strategies of forest dwellers to climate variability in the tropical rainforest in eastern Cameroon: The case of the inhabitants of the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest

The design of appropriate adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change requires a contextual study of local perceptions due to the non-homogeneity of climate in a given agro-ecological area. The research objective of the current study aims to examine the evolution of climate parameters from 1983 to 2019 linked to the perceptions of local populations and appropriate adaptation measures in the Belabo-Diang Communal Forest of Cameroon. The methodological approach includes collecting and analyze climate data from 1983 to 2019; and surveying existing local perceptions and adaptive strategies among 540 households using semi-structured questionnaires. A significant increase in temperature of about 1 °C over 36 years (1983–2019) and a non-significant decrease in precipitation (95.36 mm) over the same period were observed. Local perceptions related to climate change vary according to the sector of activity and are mainly associated with more heat in the dry season (90%), late onset of rains (84%), drought recurrence (82%), less rainfall during the year (80%), and increase in the duration of drought (80%). For 82–100% of households, according to the activity sector, no appropriate adaptation measures to climate change were applied depending on activities. The adaptation measures used by less than 0–20% of respondents, include mainly the abandonment or change of activity, and modification of the agricultural calendar. With the lack of appropriate and adequate adaptation measures by the riparian populations, this study appears necessary to inform policy-makers of the need to develop and implement more appropriate strategies to enable the riparian people living in forest area of Cameroon to better adapt to these effects of climate changes.

Inoculation with Azospirillum argentinense Az19 improves the yield of maize subjected to water deficit at key stages of plant development

Water deficit constitutes a severe limitation to agricultural productivity. In the context of sustainable crop production, the potential of microbial biotechnology to increase plant drought tolerance and improve crop yields under adverse conditions is gaining relevance. This work aimed to compare the performance of Azospirillumargentinense strain Az19 to that of strain Az39, the most widely used for commercial inoculants, when inoculated in maize plants exposed to water deficit. For this purpose, greenhouse and field assays were conducted. In the greenhouse experiment, strain Az19 prevented the adverse effect of water deficit at V2 stage on maize growth. Moreover, the percentage of fertile plants and the ear weight decreased significantly under water deficits imposed at V2 and flowering in Az39-inoculated plants but not in Az19-inoculated plants. In the first field trial with the commercial maize hybrid DOW DS 515 PW, Az19-inoculated plants were those which better tolerated the water deficit imposed. In the second field trial, two maize genotypes with differential drought sensitivity (LP 29×LP 2542, sensitive; LP 882 (923)×LP 4703, tolerant) were tested. Higher tolerance to water deficit was detected in plants inoculated with A. argentinense Az19, with a noticeable effect on grain yield components in the sensitive genotype. Based on these results, we propose the use of A. argentinense Az19 for the formulation of more targeted Azospirillum-based inoculants, suitable for agroecological areas subjected to seasonal water deficits.

Biochemical and Molecular Evaluation of Rhizobium spp. and its Growth Promotion Studies with Lentil (Lens culinaris Medik. L.)

Growth promoting Rhizobium spp are frequently used as biofertilizers for agricultural cropping system. Furthermore, Isolation, screening and biochemical characterization of Rhizobium for a specific plant is necessary to examine ability of isolated bacteria to affect the growth and development of host plant in various ways. The current study was aimed to isolate plant specific rhizobacterial strains which are compatible with lentil (Lens culinaris Medik.L.) plant. 20 bacterial isolates have been isolated from root nodules of lentil from various agro ecological area and their biochemical characterization was performed by different plant growth promotion activities. The result showed that, among 20 isolates, four isolates have vigorous plant growth promoting activities. Four bacterial strains were able to solubilise phosphorous along with hormone production. Moreover, among four bacterial strains, two strongly produced HCN and siderophore in vitro. Subsequently, all selected bacterial isolates were inoculated in lentil seeds of variety HUL57 to study germination percentage and vigour index of the crop. Out of four isolates 26N isolate performed best growth promotion activities on lentil seedlings. Finally, on the basis of performance of bacteria on plant, four isolates were characterized using molecular approach of species identification such as 16S rRNA sequencing.

Optimal complementary feeding practices of children aged 6-23 months in three agro-ecological rural districts of Jimma zones of southwest Ethiopia.

Despite the critical importance of complementary feeding, large proportions of children in developing countries are sub-optimally fed during 6-23 months of age. In Ethiopia, even though the government has been rolling out infant and young child feeding (IYCF) guidelines, the proportion of mothers adhering to the recommended optimal practices and its associated factors have not been assessed in different agro-ecological areas. Hence, the present study aimed to determine optimal complementary feeding practices and associated factors in three agro-ecological rural districts (high, mid and lowland) of southwest Ethiopia. A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 845 mothers-index young children 6-23 months Jimma zone. Multistage sampling was employed to select the study participants. Structured and pretested questionnaires were used to collect data and entered into Epi Data V.1.4.4.0. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were used to identify factors associated with optimal child-feeding practices. The significance of the association was determined at P < 0⋅05. The overall proportion of optimal complementary feeding practice (OCFP) was 9⋅4 % at 95 % CI (7⋅19, 11⋅08). The timely initiation of complementary feeding, minimum meal frequency, minimum dietary diversity and minimum acceptable diet was 52⋅2, 64⋅1, 17⋅2 and 12⋅2 %. Multivariable logistic regression showed that being in the highland districts, having good maternal knowledge, and mothers having primary school education, having a family size of less than six were positively associated with optimal complementary feeding practices. The findings showed that OCFP was low, especially in the midland agro-ecological districts.

On-farm genetic diversity of wheat (Triticum aestivum spp.) in Digalu Tijo District, Arsi zone, Ethiopia

On-farm genetic diversity is the relative distribution of plant species. This study was undertaken to assess the on-farm genetic diversity of wheat Landraces (Triticum aestivum spp) in Digalu and Tijo District. For this study, three farmer households' kebeles were selected by cluster sampling (area sampling) method because they are found in the most dominant wheat landraces growing agro ecological areas. Data for this study was collected using questionnaires, field observation, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. In total, 27 wheat landraces were reported to be grown two decades ago to the present day. Of these, only 9 wheat landraces are still cultivated by farmers. Among these, ‘Qamadi guracha’ is the most common growing landraces in the study area. The Shannon diversity index (H′) of growing wheat landraces ranges from 1.09 to 1.37 among the groups. The estimated genetic erosion for wheat landraces was found to be 66.7% due to the major factors: improved wheat varieties; the introduction of other more productive crops and wheat landraces low productivity. Food quality, Pests (for example, birds), disease resistance, market value, and straw quality were factors that initiated the farmers to maintain the genetic diversity of landraces on their farmlands. However, the preservation of wheat landraces is influenced by bottlenecks like the seed selection system, and insufficient crop yield. Regeneration of soil fertility, restoration of lost landraces, improvement of landraces, on-farm conservation by re-sowing, saving of seeds for the future, and ex-situ conservation are suggested for the restoration of wheat landraces diversity in Digalu and Tijo District.

Human health risk ​and receptor model-oriented sources of heavy metal pollution in commonly consume vegetable and fish species of high Ganges river floodplain agro-ecological area, Bangladesh

This study was intended to assess heavy metal contents and sources in commonly consumed vegetables and fish collected from the Jashore district of Bangladesh and to evaluate the probable human health risks via the ingesting of those vegetables and fish species. A total of 130 vegetable and fish samples were analyzed for As, Mn, Cu, Cr, Ni, and Pb concentration by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Metals and metalloids like As, Pb, and Cr in vegetable species were greater than the maximum allowable concentration (MAC), while Pb and cu in fish species exceeded the MAC. Pollution evaluation index values were ranges from 0.40-10.35 and 1.53–2.78 for vegetable and fish species, respectively, indicating light to serious pollution. Lactuca sativa followed by Cucurbita moschata, Amaranthus gangeticus for vegetables and Channa punctate, Oreochromis mossambicus, followed by Dendrobranchiata for fish are the most contaminated food items. The positive matrix factorization model showed that As (81.9%), Ni (48%), Cr (49.6%), Mn (46%), Pb (44.3%), and Cu (44.4%) for vegetable species and As (86.9%), Ni (90.5%), Mn (67.6%), Pb (65.3%), Cr (57%) and Cu (46.2%) for fish species were resulting from agrochemical, atmospheric emission, irrigation, contaminated feed, and mixed sources. The self-organizing map and principle component analysis indicates three spatial patterns e.g., As–Mn–Cu, Pb–Cr, and Ni in vegetables and As–Mn–Cr, Cu–Ni, and Pb in fish samples. The THQ values for single elements were less than 1 (except As for vegetables and Pb for fish species) for all food items but the HI values for all of the vegetables (2.18E+00 to 2.04E+01) and fish (1.07E+00 to 9.39E+00) samples were exceeded the USEPA acceptable risk level (HI > 1E+00). While the cancer risks only induced by As for all vegetables and fish species, which exceeded the USEPA safe level (TCR>1E-04). Sensitivity analysis indicates that metal concentration was the most responsible factor for carcinogenic risk.

Comparative performance and analysis of indigenous pig production systems in Cameroon: constraints and socio-economic characterization in three agro-ecological zones

A socio-economic characterization of the indigenous pig farming systems, performance analysis, and constraints were carried out in three agro-ecological areas of Cameroon such as Sudano-Sahelian (SSA), Western highland (WHA) and Humid forest with bimodal rainfall Areas (HBA). A questionnaire was administered to 157 farmers. The data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics procedure. The results showed that pig farming was mainly practised by men over forty year old (79.1%), with a low level of technical supervision and having reached the level of primary education (44.6%). The production systems in HBA and SSA are mostly extensive whereas in WHA these systems were mostly semi-intensive. The piggeries were made with wooden pens (61.1%). The farms were more prone to feed shortages in the SSA and WHA. The animals were mostly fed once (45.8%) or twice (38.9%) a day. Animals were largely unvaccinated (40.8%) and not dewormed (59.9%). The SSA farming system was the least efficient in terms of gross added value per sow per year (GVA /sow/year = 398 USD) while the WHA and HBA (GVA/ sow/year in the WHA = 1305 USD and GVA /sow/year in the HBA= 1210 USD). This characterization is important for future improvements in livestock management, especially with the indigenous pig farming system in Cameroon.

Urban Surface Deformation Management: Assessing Dangerous Subsidence Areas through Regional Surface Deformation, Natural Factors, and Human Activities

Geological disasters caused by surface deformation are common, especially in urban areas, which seriously impede urbanization’s sustainable development. Monitoring and analysis with high spatial and temporal resolution are particularly important to assess the risk of geological disasters caused by urban deformation. This study uses Sentinel-1A satellite imagery to obtain the surface deformation time series of Nanchang City based on SBAS-InSAR and PS-InSAR techniques and is combined with wavelet period analysis and gray correlation analysis to determine the correlation between deformation area and climate environment. This study shows that there was a large-scale subsidence trend in the central urban area of Nanchang in those two years, and an uplift trend in the agro-ecological areas in the southeast. A periodic analysis further shows that the areas with larger changes in surface deformation are more affected by changes in precipitation. This study, integrated with external data, examines the possibility of subsidence disasters occurring along subway lines in areas with large deformation magnitudes from multiple angles.

Nutritional quality of Calobota sericea fodders harvested at different phenological stages – opportunities for inclusion in fodder flow programs for extensive livestock farmers

Calobota sericea (Thunb.) Boatwr. & B.-E.van Wyk (Fabaceae) is a native legume from the semi-arid rangelands of South Africa. The species has been prioritised as a forage for water-limited agro-ecological areas. No information regarding the nutritional quality of C. sericea forage harvested at different phenological stages is currently available, limiting our knowledge as to the best time to harvest the forage. The aim of this study was to determine the nutritional quality of C. sericea forage harvested at five phenological stages. Results from the study show that crude protein, fibre, energy and digestibility of the forage decreased with plant maturity, but not all mineral nutrients showed the same trend. In general, C. sericea forage harvested at non-reproductive, early flower bud and full flower stages could provide sufficient energy and protein to maintain livestock condition. At these stages, the neutral detergent fibre and digestibility of the harvested materials are also good, indicating that intake and processing of these forage would not be a problem for the livestock. At these phenological stages most of the mineral nutrients were also sufficiently high to meet the minimum requirements of small stock. Thus, C. sericea forage harvested at the appropriate phenological stages could provide a useful source of forage for resource poor farmers.

Genetic Diversity of Wild Rice (Oryza longistaminata) in Ghana

Oryza longistaminata is a wild rice taxon and an excellent source of genetic variation that remains largely unexploited. This study was conducted to understand the genetic diversity between and within O. longistaminata populations, collected from different geographic locations in Ghana. In this study, SSR markers were used to determine the intra-specific variability in O. longistaminata, and how the variation is partitioned within and between different populations. Analysis of molecular variance revealed high levels of polymorphism (95.9%) within the populations. The overall genetic diversity for all the loci in the six populations was high (Shannon's Information Index I = 0.579, Nei's unbiased expected heterozygosity, He = 0.405). Hierarchical partitioning also indicated a high genetic diversity between and within populations, with some level of relatedness between samples taken from the Savannah agroecological area. The high genetic diversity observed in this study offer a great opportunity for screening useful traits among the populations of O. longistaminata in Ghana for rice breeding programs.

Aflatoxin and fumonisin mycotoxins contamination along the maize value chain in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo

Aflatoxin and fumonisin contamination was assessed in different samples along the maize value chain in different territories of South Kivu province. Kabare and Ruzizi Plain were chosen as they represent two different agroecological areas where maize is mostly produced. Twelve districts and one town were selected across the province. The stakeholders were randomly selected, and 215 maize (139 maize grain and 76 maize flour) samples were taken for laboratory analysis. The Q + kit was used to determine the total aflatoxins and fumonisins. Three categories of maize were examined: freshly harvested dry maize, stored maize (maize stored for 3 months ±1.5 month) and market maize. Aflatoxin was found in 100% of the maize samples with the least content of 0.3 µg/kg detected in freshly harvested dry maize with mean 3.2+0.3 and levels ranging from 0.3 to 18.5 µg/kg. The average level of aflatoxin in stored grain samples was 97.9±182 µg/kg within a range of 1.16 to 841.5 µg/kg, and the mean level of aflatoxin in stored flour was 148.9±164.5 µg/kg with levels ranging from 2.05 to 905.1 µg/kg. The mean level of aflatoxin maize collected from the market was 95.1 ±164 µg/kg, with levels ranging from 1 to 823.2 µg/kg. Almost all the maize flour collected from the three areas had a high contamination level that exceeded the maximum tolerable limit of 10 µg/kg. Fumonisin was detected in all samples. However, the levels of fumonisin do not follow a specific trend with the duration of storage. The freshly harvested dry maize concentration was 2.4±5.1 µg/g, with levels ranging from 0.03 to 20.9µg/g. About 37% of freshly harvested maize samples contaminated by fumonisin exceeded the maximum tolerable limit of 4 µg/kg. There was a difference between total fumonisin in grain and flour; the average level of fumonisin in stored maize grain was 1.4±0.9 µg/g with levels ranging from 0.18- 4.7 µg/g while in flour, the level was 2.1±1.3 µg/g with levels ranging from 0.3-4.5 µg/g. Almost all the maize samples collected from the three areas had a degree of contamination that did not exceed the maximum tolerable limit of 4 µg/g. These results indicate that the two mycotoxin levels, particularly aflatoxin, were high in the different samples collected at specific nodes. Therefore, preventing mycotoxins accumulation in maize by post-harvest prevention of contamination and growth of toxigenic moulds by promoting proper grain drying and storage should be encouraged among the actors of the maize value chain. Key words: Aflatoxins, Fumonisins, Food value chain, Maize, South Kivu

Post-Harvest Management Practices Of Bambara Groundnut (Vigna Subterranea (L.) Verdc) Seeds In Burkina Faso

Bambara groundnut plays a major role in the production systems and diets of farmers in Burkina Faso. This crop, due to certain production, storage, or preservation conditions, is subject to damage by insects and fungi. Effective post-harvest management can contribute significantly to reducing losses during storage. This study was carried out in the three agro-ecological areas in Burkina Faso to assess post-harvest management practices of Bambara groundnut among farmers. The data were collected from 180 farmers using surveys. The results showed that the culture of Bambara groundnut was mainly carried out by women (74.4%) on small farms (0.25-0.5ha). The harvested crops were dried at home during a period of 5 to 14 days. About 53% of farmers stored seeds for more than 3 months. Seeds were mainly stored in hermetically sealed cans (45.6%) and in plastic bags (31.1%). Some products such as wood ash and chemicals were used for seed storage. Challenges during seed storage were insects (91.4%) and fungi (42.9%). In the case of seeds attacked by pests (insects, fungi, etc.), farmers (84.4%) adopt a set of measures consisting of sorting, winnowing, drying, and repackaging the seeds. Besides the existence of traditional storage techniques, there is still a need to develop effective storage techniques and continue building farmers’ awareness on improved storage technologies to avoid post-harvest losses.

Possibility for Using Biochar for Sustainable Agriculture: a Case Study in Bulgaria

In both industrialized and developing countries, soil loss and degradation are observed at unprecedented rates and profound implications for soil ecosystem properties. In many regions, loss of soil productivity occurs despite the intensive use of agrochemicals, in parallel with the adverse environmental impact of soil and water resources. The soil types and the agro-ecological areas in Bulgaria are presented. Four samples of chernozem soil were collected and were investigated with and without biochar. The results obtained show the effect of adding biochar to the change of the pH of the soil

Characterization of Nutritional and Bioactive Compound in Three Genotypes of Mashua (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz and Pavón) from Different Agroecological Areas in Puno.

Bioactive compounds and nutritional characterization in three genotypes of mashua tubers (Tropaeolum tuberosum Ruiz and Pavón) from different agroecological areas of the Peruvian highlands (3747 at 3888 meters above sea level) were studied. The studied genotypes from different agroecological areas significantly differed for vitamins, amino acids, and bioactive compounds. However, the nutritional characteristics of yellow, purple, and yellow-purple mashua remained unaffected. Its tubers were shown to be important sources of protein and fiber. The nutritional analysis revealed high phosphorus and potassium values, as well as considerable amounts of vitamin C. The amounts of total free amino acids in the genotypes ranged from 2.73 ± 0.450 mg/g dry matter (DM) to 6.825 ± 0.450 mg/g DM. Important total anthocyanins, total flavonoids, total phenolics, tannin content, and antioxidant activity values were obtained from purple genotype. Unexploited colored mashua tubers are proposed as a valuable natural source of phenolics and anthocyanins with high antioxidant activity.

Identification of the Powdery Mildew Resistance in Chinese Wheat Cultivar Heng 4568 and its Evaluation in Marker-Assisted Selection.

Powdery mildew induced by Blumeria graminis f. sp. Tritici (Bgt) has a devastating impact on global wheat yield and quality. Host resistance is the most effective and economical means to control this disease. In this study, Heng 4568, an elite wheat cultivar, shows high resistance to 12 Bgt isolates from different regions in China at the seedling stage. Genetic analysis demonstrates that the powdery mildew resistance in Heng 4568 is conferred by a single dominant locus, temporarily designated PmH4568. Furthermore, PmH4568 is mapped to the reported Pm2 interval on chromosome 5DS with five Pm2 linked markers and flanked by the markers Bwm20 and Bwm21 with a genetic distance of 0.3 and 0.6 cM, respectively. To further investigate the relationship between PmH4568 and Pm2, the diagnostic marker Pm2b-map-3 of Pm2 is used to genotype the F2:3 population derived from the cross Heng 4568 × Daimai 2173. Notably, there is no recombination found, indicating that PmH4568 is also probably a Pm2 allele. In addition, five closely linked markers as well as one diagnostic marker are successfully developed and tested in 16 wheat cultivars from different agro-ecological areas in China, which have potential applications in molecular breeding by marker-assisted selection.