High-yielding Varieties Research Articles

Breeding for Pest and Disease Tolerance High Yielding Variety (DHLM-36-3-1) in Little Millet (Panicum sumetrense. L)

Developed from 2008 to 2013 and evaluated between 2010 and 2014, the high-yielding medium-maturing little millet variety DHLM-36-3-1 was officially released and notified in 2018, showing its potential as an excellent variety. This cultivar, developed at the Agricultural Research Station in Hanumanamatti, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, is well-suited to the state of Karnataka. It matures in 85 to 90 days and features an erect growth habit, reaching heights of 112 to 130 cm, with bold, oval-shaped grains of light black color. DHLM-36-3-1 demonstrated a grain yield of 14.29 q/ha and a fodder yield of 5.6 t/ha, showing good tolerance to shoot fly infestation (15.50%) compared with the national check JK-8, which recorded a 20.34% infestation rate. Furthermore, DHLM-36-3-1 outperformed both national checks OLM-203 and JK-8 by 9.59% and 11.21%, respectively, in terms of grain yield. Similarly, the newly developed variety DHLM-14-1 has yielded promising results across various trials conducted throughout India, demonstrating its potential as a high-yielding and nutritionally rich option for farmers. Over three growing seasons, DHLM-14-1 achieved an impressive average seed yield of 35.12 q/ha, exceeding the local check TNAU-63 by 18.56% and the national check OLM-203 by 12.06%. It has consistently performed well in All India Coordinated Trials, showing adaptability across diverse agro-climatic conditions, with notable yield improvements in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Tamil Nadu. Nutritional assessments highlight DHLM-14-1's superior mineral profile, boasting higher levels of zinc (4.06 mg/100 g) and calcium (3.45 mg/100 g) compared to national checks, while its iron content (16.2 mg/100 g) significantly surpasses that of OLM-203. Additionally, disease resistance evaluations revealed that DHLM-14-1 maintained lower incidence rates for grain smut and brown spots, with competitive resistance to shoot fly. Collectively, these findings emphasize DHLM-14-1's vital role in promoting sustainable millet production, enhancing food security and farmer livelihoods, supporting integrated pest management strategies, and improving the nutritional quality of staple diets in areas with micronutrient deficiencies.

A Comparative Growth Trend Study of Tomato in Jaipur and Sirohi District of Rajasthan, India

Tomato (Licopersicon esculentum) is an important crop that contributes economically and significantly to horticulture production. T The study was conducted for the period of 12 year in Jaipur and Sirohi districts of Rajasthan to analyze the growth rate in area, production, and productivity from 2010-11 to 2021-22. (Department of Horticulture, Government of Rajasthan-2022-23). For analyzing the trend in area production and productivity of tomatoes in Jaipur and Sirohi district, and Rajasthan state the following linear, semi-log, and exponential functions were tested. The tested model were selected based on high R2 (Coefficient of determination) and the best-fit function was used for the result discussion. Semi-log function was best function for the area, production and productivity of Rajasthan. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for area of Rajasthan was found 1.76 percent, with 0.46 R2. The production and productivity show 9.91 and 8.15 percent growth rate. The semi-log function was also best fit the area and production of Tomato in Jaipur district with 4.58 and 15.94 percent annual growth respectively. The linear function was fitted for the productivity that shows 17.20 percent CAGR with 0.39 percent R2. The area of tomato in Sirohi district shows highest fluctuation due to this an exponential function was shows poor fits for calculate the growth rate this function shows 0.01 percent compound annual growth rate. The exponential function was best fit for the production and productivity with 0.41 and 0.31 R2 respectively. The exponential function show 11.24 percent growth rate, which was significant at 5 percent level. The productivity show 12.25 percent compound annual growth rate with 10 percent level of significance. Thus the productivity shows highest compound annual growth rate followed by Production and area in Jaipur and Sirohi district of Rajasthan, while in Rajasthan, production shows highest growth rate followed by productivity and area. According to the findings, the result suggest for the introduction of high yield varieties of tomato may increase the productivity in Rajasthan.

High-Yield-Related Genes Participate in Mushroom Production

In recent years, the increasing global demand for mushrooms has made the enhancement of mushroom yield a focal point of research. Currently, the primary methods for developing high-yield mushroom varieties include mutation- and hybridization-based breeding. However, due to the long breeding cycles and low predictability associated with these approaches, they no longer meet the demands for high-yield and high-quality varieties in the expansive mushroom market. Modern molecular biology technologies such as RNA interference (RNAi) and gene editing, including via CRISPR-Cas9, can be used to precisely modify target genes, providing a new solution for mushroom breeding. The high-yield genes of mushrooms can be divided into four categories based on existing research results: the genes controlling mycelial growth are very suitable for genetic modification; the genes controlling primordium formation are directly or indirectly regulated by the genes controlling mycelial growth; the genes controlling button germination are more difficult to modify; and the genes controlling fruiting body development can be regulated during the mycelial stage. This article reviews the current research status for the four major categories of high-yield-related genes across the different stages of mushroom growth stages, providing a foundation and scientific basis for using molecular biology to improve mushroom yield and promote the economic development of the global edible-mushroom industry.

Selenium Utilization, Distribution and Its Theoretical Biofortification Enhancement in Rice Granary of China

Selenium, as an essential trace element, is intricately linked to the onset and progression of numerous diseases due to deficiencies in selenium intake. Selenium compounds exhibit tumor specificity and can efficiently inhibit the growth of tumor cells, making them potential candidates for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, given its status as one of the most widely consumed crops globally, increasing the selenium content in rice could prove advantageous in alleviating the prevailing issue of selenium intake deficiency, particularly in China. This review explored the regulatory role of selenium in rice growth, the regional distribution characteristics of soil selenium content in various rice-growing regions in China, and the impact of cultivation practices on selenium fortification in rice, aiming to suggest improved rice cultivation management strategies to enhance the capacity for rice selenium biofortification. The findings revealed that: (1) In Northeast and North China, characterized by alkaline soils and severe selenium deficiency, it is advisable to moderately decrease the duration of flooding, elevate the soil redox potential, and apply organic and nitrogen fertilizers in a judicious manner. (2) In Southwest China, which is characterized by acidic soils, alternating wet and dry irrigation should be employed, and the biofortification of selenium can be facilitated by applying lime and foliar spraying of selenium fertilizer. (3) In the south-central region of China, distinguished by acidic soils and double-cropped rice, it is recommended that intermittent or alternating wet and dry irrigation be employed, and the reasonable application of organic, silica, and selenium fertilizers is advocated. (4) In the northwest region, characterized by slightly alkaline soil and mild selenium deficiency, it is recommended to implement various water management practices, including shallow water during the seedling stage, deep water during the booting stage, and wet grain filling. Additionally, a rational application of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, along with foliar application of selenium fertilizer, should be employed. (5) Cultivating selenium-enriched, high-yielding, and high-quality rice varieties proves to be an effective strategy in addressing selenium deficiency. In conclusion, the unique characteristics of diverse rice-growing regions in China indicate that suitable water management, fertilization techniques, and varietal selection practices can effectively enhance the selenium content in rice, thereby maximizing the nutritional requirements for selenium.

Women's dietary diversity is associated with homestead production and market access: A cross-sectional study in rural Rwanda.

Dietary diversity has been widely used as a proxy indicator for micronutrient adequacy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Rwanda, women are at high risk of inadequate micronutrient intake resulting from poorly diversified diets. This study was conducted to examine the factors associated with women's dietary diversity, with emphasis on homestead production diversity and market access in the Northern Province of Rwanda. A cross-sectional design was used, involving 606 women aged 18-49 years. Linear regression analyses were performed to examine the association between various factors and women's dietary diversity. Results show that 84% of the sample households raised at least one livestock species. Seventy-one percent of the households had no agricultural land. Eighty percent of those without land had a homestead garden on which they grew food crops, mainly vegetables and fruit trees. The average crop species was 2.3. On average, women consumed 3 out of 9 food groups. The homestead production diversity score was positively associated with women's dietary diversity score (β = 0.16, p < 0.001). Women's dietary diversity score was negatively associated with distance from the household to the nearest market (β = -0.08, p = 0.027) and household food insecurity (β = -0.06, p < 0.001). Maternal education (p < 0.001), household wealth index (p < 0.05), and ownership of more than 2.5 acres compared to being without land (p < 0.05) were associated with women's dietary diversity score. The dietary diversity of women could be enhanced through interventions that promote the diversity of livestock and crop species produced through homestead production. Potential interventions to explore may include integrated farming systems that combine small livestock and crop production utilising improved livestock breeds and high-quality seeds and planting materials of high-yielding varieties of fruits and vegetables, along with rainwater harvesting to facilitate small-scale irrigation. The impact of such interventions on women's dietary diversity can be further reinforced by parallel programmes aimed at improving women's education and the socioeconomic status of households.

Detection of Viruses and Elimination of Sweet Potato Feathery Mottle Virus in High-Yielding Varieties of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) from Ethiopia

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L. Lam.) is a major source of food in many parts of Ethiopia. In recent years, viral diseases have become the main threat to sweet potato production in Ethiopia. Previous virus survey studies carried out from 1986 to 2020 reported eight viruses infecting sweet potato in Ethiopia. Consequently, obtaining and multiplying virus-free planting materials have been difficult for farmers and commercial multipliers. This study was conducted to detect viruses infecting the five sweet potato varieties used as source plants and compare the virus elimination efficiency between meristem cultures from untreated and heat-treated mother plants and production of virus-free sweet-potato-planting materials. Seven common viruses were tested for, using grafting to Ipomoea setosa, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT–PCR) before and after elimination procedures as screening and confirmatory methods. The sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) elimination efficiencies of meristem cultures from untreated (grown at 25 ± 1 °C) and heat-treated (grown at 39 ± 1 °C) potted plants of sweet potato varieties were evaluated and compared. Sweet potato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV) was detected in 12 of the 15 source plants tested. Triple infections of SPFMV, sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), and sweet potato virus C (SPVC) were detected in one of the fifteen plants. This study reports the detection of SPVC for the first time in sweet potato plants from Ethiopia. The cutting of meristems from heat-treated plants further increased the percentage of virus-free plantlets by ca 10% to ca 16%, depending on the plant variety. Elimination efficiency also seemed to vary among varieties: the greatest difference was observed for ‘Tola’, and the least difference was observed for ‘Guntute’. The present study provided protocols for detecting viruses and generating virus-free sweet-potato-planting materials in Ethiopia.

Unlocking Innovation in Crop Resilience and Productivity: Breakthroughs in Biotechnology and Sustainable Farming

Recent advancements in agricultural biotechnology and sustainable practices are revolutionizing crop production and resilience, addressing global food security challenges. This review highlights cutting-edge innovations in plant sciences, including genetic engineering, genome editing technologies, and biotechnological interventions that enhance crop resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. It discusses the integration of precision agriculture and digital farming tools that optimize resource use and boost productivity, providing data-driven insights for better crop management. Additionally, sustainable agricultural practices such as agroecology, organic farming, and integrated pest management are examined for their potential to reduce environmental impact while maintaining high yield. The review investigates the key practices like conservation tillage, crop rotation, and biological pest control, emphasizing their roles in enhancing soil health, biodiversity, and agricultural resilience. Significant contributions of biotechnological interventions, including genetic engineering and genome editing, are explored for developing stress-resistant and high-yield crop varieties. Moreover, the integration of precision agriculture and digital farming technologies is discussed for their potential to optimize resource utilization and improve crop management through advanced data analytics.

&lt;b&gt;Performance of Candidate Varieties of Basmati Rice in Uniform Yield Trials&lt;/b&gt;

The primary focus of rice breeding research is now on developing high-yielding rice varieties with early maturing and physio-chemical features, such as improved cooking quality, aroma, and extra-long grain. This shift in focus is driven by the growing global demand for high-quality rice. Using traditional breeding methods to trait pyramid these extremely important traits while maintaining yield and quality is a challenging task. Good grain quality(aromatic), fertilizer responsiveness, and high-yielding varieties can help the farmers in Pakistan to increase their revenue despite global population growth and changing international market patterns. At the Rice Research Institute, Kala Shah Kaku (RRI KSK), new, improved, high-yielding, extra-long grain lines with the qualities of early maturity, small stature, and good cooking with aroma are being developed through traditional breeding methods. The present study aimed to assess the genetic variability of these lines in terms of paddy yield and to discover superior high-yielding cultivars suitable for widespread cultivation. There were notable variations in paddy yield among the different entries in the pooled analysis. The highest average paddy yield (5010 Kg/ha) was seen in entry 10640-10-1-1-1, followed by entry 10684-3-1-2 (4990 Kg/ha) and PK 10434-6-2-1 (4550 Kg/ha) and suggested for general cultivation based on their mean paddy yield. A strong positive correlation was seen between the grain thickness grading of over 2.2 mm and the number of panicles per plant. The overall quality of the Uniform Yield Trials of Fine rice samples can be reported as excellent for PK 10306-15-5, PK PB-8 and PK 10678-2-1-1 over check Basmati-515. There will be a simultaneous increase in grain yield with improvements in these qualities.

Georgia’s potentials for sustainable intensification, increasing food security and rural incomes.

Abstract Increasing global demand for agricultural commodities spurs conversions of natural ecosystems. Sustainable intensification in areas of high yield gaps has been proposed a pathway to achieve food security, support rural livelihoods, while also reducing the impact of commodity production by narrowing yield gaps on existing agricultural lands, while improving resource efficiency. Following the dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), Georgia experienced one of the highest losses of agricultural productivity among all former USSR countries and is now highly dependent on food imports. Closing yield gaps in Georgia through sustainable intensification has the potential to increase food self-sufficiency, support rural livelihoods, and strengthen food security and sovereignty. We estimated its potential for sustainable intensification in current agricultural areas to achieve self-sufficiency for wheat, maize, and barley. We found that crop yields can be doubled to tripled under high-input production systems, using high-yielding varieties, optimized inputs, fertilizers, and pest control. Yet, self-sufficiency in wheat can only be reached if at least 80% of the potentially attainable yields are achieved and if land is strategically allocated between crops. To achieve such increases, farmers need access to and training for using different crop varieties, fertilizers, and pest and disease control practices and products. Intensification increases the risks to ecosystem services’ health and livelihoods, particularly raising equity concerns. Yet, intensifying very low input systems is often found to be more sustainable, with high yield increases compared to limited impacts on the environment. The high employment rate in the agricultural sector in Georgia particularly provides opportunities to reduce poverty and increase livelihoods through increasing incomes and food security.

Identification of Genetic Loci for Grain Traits and Disease Resistance Reveals a Potential Trade-Off in Rice

Understanding how plants utilize limited resources for reproductivity and disease resistance can improve the efficiency of plant breeding. In the present study, we mapped genes for grain traits, including grain length and width and thousand grain weight (TGW). A previously constructed linkage map of a recombinant inbred line population (MHM) was used, which was derived from a cross between an indica restorer rice variety (Minghui 63) and a temperate japonica rice variety (M-202). The MHM population was grown in replicated field plots, and grain trait data were collected. Upon a 3-year field evaluation, a total of 16 loci were mapped on 9 of 12 chromosomes, including 7 for grain length, 4 for grain weight, and 5 for TGW. A TGW locus ( qTGW2) and a grain width locus ( qWIG2.2) were mapped at the known blast resistance locus qBLAST2 on chromosome 2 that harbors a major blast resistance allele Pi-b. Another TGW locus ( qTGW3.3) and a grain length locus ( qLNG3.3) were mapped at qBLAST3 on chromosome 3. These results reveal potential trade-offs between disease resistance and productivity, which are important for breeders to develop high-yielding and disease-resistant rice varieties. [Formula: see text] The author(s) have dedicated the work to the public domain under the Creative Commons CC0 “No Rights Reserved” license by waiving all of his or her rights to the work worldwide under copyright law, including all related and neighboring rights, to the extent allowed by law, 2024.

Impact of Different Technology Interventions on Agronomical Traits of Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The study conducted over three consecutive Rabi seasons (2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23) in the Lalburra block of Balaghat sought to promote advanced chickpea production techniques among farmers. A total of 15 demonstrations spanning 6.0 hectares showcased the benefits of adopting improved agricultural practices. This included the use of the high-yielding chickpea variety JG-16, soil test-based nutrient management, and targeted pest and disease control measures. Over the past three years, the demonstration plots achieved an average yield of 11.98 q ha⁻¹, while traditional farming methods produced only 8.01 q ha⁻¹. This leads to a remarkable yield enhancement of 47.48%. Additionally, the study recorded an average technology gap of 6.07 q ha-1, an extension gap of 3.86 q ha-1, and a technology index of 33.36%. The study underscores the effectiveness of advanced chickpea production techniques, increased yield while highlighting the need to bridge technology and extension gaps for enhanced productivity in the Lalburra block.

Assessment of Yield and Economics under High Density Planting System in Cotton in Kachchh District of Gujarat, India

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) possesses a position of major fiber and cash crop, which plays vital role to sustain national economy. It provides the basic raw material (cotton fiber) to cotton textile industry. Gujarat contributes substantially to the national cotton area (24%) and productions (37%). A field experiment was carried out during the kharif seasons from 2017-18 to 2019-20 at farmers' fields through ICAR-CAZRI Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kachchh-II to evaluate the impact of frontline demonstrations (FLDs) on cotton productivity and profitability. During the experiment period, a total of 30 FLDs on high density planting system (HDPS) in cotton with the high-yielding variety GTHH-49 were demonstrated in a 12-hectare area across 6 villages in the Bhuj, and Nakhatrana talukas of Kachchh district. The improved variety GTHH-49 with a full package of practices was demonstrated in the plots, while existing technology was treated as the local check. Based on three years of data, the improved practice (IP) resulted in an average seed yield of 2868 kg ha-1, which was an increase of 13.35% compared to the local check yield of 2530 kg ha-1. The demonstrated technology showed an average extension gap, technology gap, and technology index of 338.33 kg ha-1, 631.67 kg ha-1, and 18.05%, respectively. The economic analysis of the demonstrations revealed the viability of the improved technology, with a net return of 101670.3 Rs. ha-1 and a benefit-cost ratio (BCR) of 3.24, compared to 84964.67 Rs. ha-1 and a BCR of 3.02 for local check. A wide range of extension and technology gaps had a detrimental influence on crop output and net returns in general. The results revealed that the adoption of the high-yielding variety with a full package of practices significantly increased cotton productivity and reduced both extension and technology gaps.

Characterization of high-yielding aman rice genotypes through genetic and agronomic analysis

ABSTRACT Rice (Oryza sativa L.) holds immense global significance, serving as a staple food crop that sustains billions of people and supports livelihoods across diverse cultures and economies, including Bangladesh. For food security in Bangladesh, there is a significant demand for high-yielding Aman rice varieties. We assessed genetic variability of 16 Aman rice genotypes, including 11 promising Aman lines and 5 established Aman cultivars in Bangladesh, with the aim of identifying high-yielding genotypes through a three-year field experiment. The examined genotypes displayed notable variations in both yield and agronomic traits contributing to yield, as evidenced by their greater range of coefficients of variance and genetic variability components. Traits such as effective tillers per hill (ET), filled grains per panicle (FG), plant height (PH) at 80 days after transplanting, and panicle length (PL) demonstrated notable correlations with grain yield (GY) throughout the three-year evaluation. Moreover, the higher broad-sense heritability (H 2) observed in ET, FG, PH, and PL traits suggested a substantial influence of genetic factors on the variability of the Aman rice genotypes. Principal component analysis based biplot and heatmap analyses revealed that the advanced lines BU acc4 and BU acc5 had higher harvest index and relatively greater GY compared to the other Aman rice varieties. These promising Aman lines could prove to be valuable materials for future multi-location yield trials or ongoing and forthcoming breeding programs aimed at enhancing high-yielding Aman rice cultivars.

Punjab Tar-1: A New Short Duration, High Yielding and Disease Resistance Long Melon Variety (Cucumis melo) Released in Pakistan.

The development of new crop varieties with favorable features is a continuing effort. With the passage of time, a cultivated variety becomes subjected to various biotic and abiotic plant stresses. This article describes development of an innovative and imaginative long melon cultivar called "Punjab Tar-1."This article discusses creation of a novel and inventive long melon variety known as "Punjab Tar-1." Current long melon varieties in Pakistan are sensitive to climatic conditions and susceptible to pest and disease attack. A New Short Duration, High Yielding and Disease Resistance Long Melon Variety (Cucumis melo) is released in Pakistan to address these current issues of long melon varieties A high yielding and early maturing variety of long melon “Punjab Tar-1” has been developed by Vegetable Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan through mass selection. Plants were selected from an open pollinated indigenous source population with main emphasis on earliness, fruit shape, color and taste and yield. Selection intensity was 15% in 1st three selection cycles and 30% in subsequent four selection cycles whereas yield trials were started from 8th selection cycle. The fruit of this variety has a strong longitudinal rib that makes it difficult for eating by caterpillars. This variety has wide adaptability and exhibits stable yield across multiple environments. Notably, "Punjab Tar-1" contains 10.59 % crude protein and 1.08% crude fat content. Genetic uniformity and distinctiveness of this variety was confirmed through SSR polymorphism. Punjab Tar-1 variety has been approved by Punjab Seed Council in its meeting held on 2021 and was recommended for general cultivation in Punjab, Pakistan. Its certified seed is available for farmers at Vegetable Research Institute, Faisalabad. This newly approved variety will aid to save the precious foreign reserves by reducing vegetable seed import bill. In Pakistan, seed market of long melon is occupied by improved varieties. In multi-location evaluation, one said variety has exhibited high yield and stability than exotic germplasm. This is the first variety developed in Pakistan having good taste, early maturity, long shape, and high yield potential. DNA fingerprinting has further confirmed that it is distinct from local material, having novelty and diversity.

Unlocking Potential: The Role of Zinc Fortification Combating Hidden Hunger and Enhancing Nutritional Security

Micronutrient shortage is rapidly becoming apparent have drawn more attention in the cultivation of crops. The main causes of this deficit are the introduction of high-yielding varieties, an intensified cropping strategy, and advanced irrigation systems etc. A further aspect contributing to this issue is the increased use of high analysis chemical fertilizers instead of organic plant nutrition (composts, farmyard manure, etc.). Most countries have acute shortages of micronutrients due to the significant depletion of soil reserves caused by current agricultural production technologies. In order to increase both the quantity and quality of crops, micronutrients are crucial. Through the integration of agronomic, breeding and transgenic techniques, researchers seek to strengthen the zinc concentration in field crops, so improving their nutritional value and mitigating the risk of zinc deficiency in human diets. The availability and absorption of micronutrients in crops are improved by agronomic techniques such as foliar spraying, and soil fertilizer treatment including organic amendments. Meanwhile, biofortification of vegetable and fruit crops has also been achieved by transgenic and breeding strategies. In other hand, Rhizobacteria-based biofortification, Chelated Zn biofortification, nutri-priming are also important techniques in Zinc fortification programs to ensure food security and nutritional quality, bio-fortification of micronutrients in crops is vital. In addition, bio-fortification improved quality and crop output, reducing hidden hunger and demonstrating that it was a viable and economical approach. The present review addresses several aspects of zinc insufficiency in human populations, including public health and socioeconomic issues, bio-fortification and ferti-fortification studies, and future efforts to mitigate zinc deficiency in soil and the population at large.

Agronomic Performance and Resistance to Maize Lethal Necrosis in Maize Hybrids Derived from Doubled Haploid Lines

Maize (Zea mays L.) is one of the most widely cultivated grain crops globally. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), it plays an important role in ensuring both food and income security for smallholder farmers. This study was conducted to (i) assess the performances of testcross hybrids constituted from maize lethal necrosis (MLN) tolerant doubled haploid (DH) lines under various management conditions; (ii) estimate the combining ability effects and determine the nature of gene action in the DH lines; and (iii) identify DH lines and testcross hybrids for resistance to MLN, high grain yield, and other important traits. Eleven DH lines were crossed with 11 single-cross testers using the line-by-tester mating design, and 115 successful testcross hybrids were generated. These hybrids, along with five commercial check hybrids, were evaluated across four optimum management conditions, two MLN artificial inoculations, and one managed drought environment in Kenya. Under each management condition, the effects of genotypes, environments, and genotype-by-environment interactions were significant for grain yield (GY) and most other traits. Hybrids T1/L3, T10/L3, and T11/L3 exhibited higher grain yields under at least two management conditions. A combining ability analysis revealed that additive gene effects were more important than non-additive effects for GY and most other traits, except for leaf senescence (SEN) and MLN disease severity score. DH line L3 exhibited a desirable general combining ability (GCA) effect for GY, while L5 was the best general combiner for anthesis date (AD) and plant height (PH) across all management conditions. DH lines L2, L6, and L7 showed negative GCA effects for MLN disease severity. Single-cross testers T11 and T10 were good general combiners for GY under all management conditions. Hybrids T2/L11, T9/L10, and T2/L10 demonstrated high specific combining ability (SCA) effects for GY under all conditions. This study identified DH lines and testers with favorable GCA effects for grain yield, MLN resistance, and other agronomic traits that can be used in breeding programs to develop high-yielding and MLN-resistant maize varieties. Better-performing testcross hybrids identified in the current study could be verified through on-farm testing and released for commercial production to replace MLN-susceptible, low-yield hybrids grown in the target ecologies.

Mean Performance and Heterotic Pattern of Maize (Zea mays L.) Inbred Lines Adapted to Sub-humid Central Highland of Ethiopia

In spite of abiotic and biotic stresses and low availability of high-yielding cultivars restrict potential production of maize, it is a major food crop in Africa. To overcome this production barrier, promising germplasm must be chosen, combining ability must be understood, and heterotic groups must be formed in order to generate high-yielding maize varieties. The study set out to evaluate plant height, ear height, ear diameter, thousand seed weight, kernel per row, kernel row per ear, and number of ear per plant in order to assess the performance evaluation and heterotic pattern of inbred lines. In 2019, twenty-six inbred lines and two single cross testers were crossed using a line by tester mating design to create fifty-two three way cross F1 hybrids. The experiment, which used an alpha lattice design with two replications, was conducted at the Ambo and Kulumsa Agricultural Research Centers during the 2020 cropping season. Analyses of variance revealed that among the parameters with significant mean squares arising from crosses and lines both within and across locations were grain yield, anthesis date, silking date, plant height, ear height, kernel row per ear, and number of ears per plant. Because of the lines, testers, and crossings for grain yield, anthesis date, silking date, plant height, ear height, kernel row per ear, and number of ear per plant, the line x tester ANOVA results revealed significant mean squares. Due to line x site, line x tester, tester x site, and line x tester x site, there was a noticeable difference in plant height, ear height, and the number of ears per plant. This proved that different environment have different selection criteria for materials and different performance levels. This genetic study Categorized, L1, L22, and L24 under heterotic group A (CEL08008/CEL08047), while L8, L10, L14, L17, L20, and L26 were placed under heterotic group-B (CEL08024/CML561).

Harnessing Genomic Resources and Molecular Breeding Techniques for Advancing Crop Resilience and Productivity

Crop improvement and adaptation are critical to ensure global food security in the face of climate change, population growth, and resource limitations. Exploiting genomic resources and molecular breeding techniques offers immense potential to accelerate the development of resilient, high-yielding crop varieties. This review provides an overview of the current state and future prospects of leveraging genomics and molecular breeding for crop improvement, with a focus on major food crops. We discuss key genomic resources such as reference genomes, transcriptomes, and pan-genomes, as well as powerful molecular breeding approaches like marker-assisted selection, genomic selection, and genome editing. Integrating these tools into crop breeding pipelines can greatly enhance the precision and efficiency of developing improved varieties with desirable traits such as abiotic stress tolerance, disease resistance, and enhanced nutritional quality. We also highlight successful examples of applying these techniques in crops like rice, wheat, maize, and legumes. Furthermore, we explore the role of big data, machine learning, and systems biology in extracting actionable insights from the vast genomic data being generated. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in translating genomic discoveries into improved crop varieties, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary collaborations, capacity building, and public-private partnerships. Harnessing the power of genomics and molecular breeding will be pivotal in developing climate-resilient crops to feed the growing global population sustainably.

GW3, encoding a member of the P450 subfamily, controls grain width by regulating the GA4 content in spikelets of rice (Oryza sativa L.).

A stable QTL, GW3, controlling grain width was identified in two populations. Its causal gene LOC_Os03g04680 was verified by gene-based haplotype analysis, expression analysis, gene knockout and complementation transgenic tests. Grain width (GW) is one of the key traits affecting grain size and determines grain yield and appearance quality in rice. Mining gene loci and elite alleles controlling GW is necessary. The GW phenotypes of the two populations were investigated in three environments, which showed abundant phenotypic variation. GW3, encoding a P450 subfamily protein, was identified and validated as a causal gene by gene-based haplotype analysis, expression analysis, gene knockout and complementation transgenic tests. The accessions with large GW values had high gene expression levels. In addition, the GW of the accessions with the GG allele was significantly greater than that of the accessions with the AA allele. The Hap 1 and Hap 3 were identified as elite haplotypes, which can increase GW. The expression levels of OsKO1, OsGA3ox1, OsGA20ox1 and OsGA20ox2 in the young panicle of A7444 were significantly greater than those in the young panicle of the mutants, indicating that GW3 may be involved in the gibberellins (GA) biosynthesis pathway to regulate GW. GA4 content detection and electron scanning analysis revealed that GA4 regulates GW by affecting glume cell size. These results provide new insights for studying the genetic mechanism of rice GW and provide a material basis for breeding high-yield rice varieties.

Assessing the Opportunities and Risks of DUS and VCU Variety Testing for Sustainable Production through SWOT Analysis Results

Within the European Union (EU), new plant varieties to be included in the Common catalog of a member state have to be registered on the national list after plant variety testing processes to establish whether the candidate variety is distinguishable, uniform, and stable (DUS) and meets the cultivation or use value requirement (VCU). Technical development, climate change, and changing consumer needs, including the detection of GMOs, necessitate the innovation of plant variety testing methods. In our study, we assessed new characters, testing methods, and inclusion of additional data for the potential to benefit the DUS and VCU protocols. To achieve our goal, we asked experts to fill in questionnaires for the DUS and VCU methods currently used for a selection of common crops, including potato, maize, lentil, oilseed rape, and perennial grass. Within the EU-funded “InnoVar” project, partners sent out questionnaires to 19 European Countries and to 3 countries outside Europe. Surveys were aimed at analyzing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) of the current methods. With their help, it is possible to look for a new direction, opportunity, and strategy to incorporate, together with the innovative new techniques, into the development of the new methods. Our study demonstrated that the SWOT analysis could be used to achieve the set goals. Results obtained after evaluation of surveys confirmed that introduction of new characters such as cold tolerance, nitrogen and water efficiency, etc. has become necessary, as has the inclusion of new test methods (molecular markers, precision techniques, organic farming). The development of high-yielding, disease and/or pest-resistant plant varieties with good adaptability and the accurate evaluation of genotypes play a crucial role in ensuring that farmers can access high-performing plant varieties and contribute to sustainable food production.