Major Cereal Crops Research Articles

Performance of multivariate and multiscalar drought indices in identifying impacts on crop production

AbstractThe assessment of drought characteristics often depends on drought indices, geographic location, hydro‐climatic condition, and timescale. In this study, we examined the spatiotemporal characteristics of drought events using the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the Multivariate Standardized Drought Index (MSDI). We developed a novel framework using hydro‐climatic variables from a high‐resolution process‐based hydrologic model to understand factors that alter drought indices at various timescales, and their impact on crop yields in a large agricultural region of western Canada. These indices were used to quantify droughts for each month of the year by examining 1–12‐month drought timescales in 2255 sub‐basins, simulated in 17 main river basins across Alberta, for 1981–2017. Temporal variations of the Standardized Yield Residuals Series (SYRS) of three major cereal crops (spring wheat, barley, and canola) were analysed for 1981–2017. Drought characteristics resulting from two indices varied due to differences in the input variables and timescales. The MSDI‐based results showed more frequent droughts during the fall and winter for shorter timescales, while the SPEI‐based results showed more during spring and summer. Comparing drought frequencies at the decadal scale, we found more droughts during 1996–2005 than during 1986–1995 and 2006–2015. The spatial evolution of drought events based on the MSDI showed more sub‐basins with increasing dryness during the study period than did results from the SPEI. The relationship between detrended drought indices and the SYRS varied depending on timescale, geographic location, and growth stage of crops. Overall, both indices performed similarly for agricultural impact assessment; however, the MSDI performed better early in the growing season for wheat and barley, indicating high crop production sensitivity to soil moisture deficiency.

Characterization of Phytase Transgenic Wheat under Salt Stress

Wheat is the major cereal crop. It is grown to meet the demand of food in developing countries but salinity is the serious problem in some countries which are based on agriculture. In the present study fourteen transgenic lines expressing phytase gene were selected using PCR and BASTA leaf paint assay. Different morphological and biochemical analysis that include plant growth, number of spikes, length of spikes, chlorophyll, soluble protein, soluble sugar and proline content were carried out from the leaf of the plants under different stress level of salt. Results showed mostly significant reduction in all the morphological parameters and chlorophyll content with increase in salt concentration while on the other hand in all other parameters, most of them showed significant increment. The result showed that some lines have ability to resist salt stress.

Exploring natural variation of photosynthesis in a site-specific manner: evolution, progress, and prospects.

Site-specific changes of photosynthesis, a relatively new concept, can be used to improve the productivity of critical food crops to mitigate the foreseen food crisis. Global food security is threatened by an increasing population and the effects of climate change. Large yield improvements were achieved in major cereal crops between the 1950s and 1980s through the Green Revolution. However, we are currently experiencing a significant decline in yield progress. Of the many approaches to improved cereal yields, exploitation of the mode of photosynthesis has been intensely studied. Even though the C4 pathway is considered the most efficient, mainly because of the carbon concentrating mechanisms around the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, which minimize photorespiration, much is still unknown about the specific gene regulation of this mode of photosynthesis. Most of the critical cereal crops, including wheat and rice, are categorized as C3 plants based on the photosynthesis of major photosynthetic organs. However, recent findings raise the possibility of different modes of photosynthesis occurring at different sites in the same plant and/or in plants grown in different habitats. That is, it seems possible that efficient photosynthetic traits may be expressed in specific organs, even though the major photosynthetic pathway is C3. Knowledge of site-specific differences in photosynthesis, coupled with site-specific regulation of gene expression, may therefore hold a potential to enhance the yields of economically important C3 crops.

Socio-Ecological Vulnerabilities and Major Cereal Crops Production in Bangladesh

Socio-Ecological Vulnerabilities and Major Cereal Crops Production in Bangladesh

Variability Study of Biofortified Bread Wheat Genotypes for Grain Zinc and Iron Concentration, Yield and Yield Associated Traits at Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal

Bread wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) is third major cereal crop of Nepal where cereal based foods represent the largest proportion of the daily diet. Lack of diverse food habit in the country is resulting micronutrient deficiency. This could be addressed by introducing biofortified bread wheat genotypes. This field research was conducted at Agriculture Botany Division, Khumaltar, Lalitpur to study the variability of biofortified bread wheat genotypes for grain zinc, iron, yield, yield attributes and identify high yielding genotypes with high grain zinc and iron concentration. 50 wheat genotypes (47 biofortified, 3 checks) were tested in alpha lattice design with two replications. Data on grain zinc, iron, yield and yield attributes were recorded and analyzed (α=5%). Genotypes differed significantly for the studied traits which provide an opportunity to improve the existing germplasms for targeted traits and environment. Grain yield was correlated positively with effective tiller, plant height, days to maturity, grains per spike and negatively with thousand grain weight. Grain zinc and iron concentration were significantly positively correlated but had positive non-significant relation with grain yield suggesting simultaneous improvement of both micronutrients without compromising grain yield is possible. Effective tiller and peduncle length can be used as selection criteria for high grain yield and micronutrient concentration respectively. Superior genotypes containing higher grain iron, zinc and yield can be used as parent in breeding for developing zinc and iron enriched varieties. 

Role of Nitrogen on Potato Production: A Review

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae family and the world’s most important and widely grown tuber crop ranking fourth after rice, wheat and maize. In terms of human consumption, it ranks third after rice and wheat. It could be one of the most important crops to be introduced in the area where the population experiences recurrent malnutrition due to heavy dependence on cereal crops and poor crop productivity for the reason that its ability to provide a high yield of high-quality product per unit input with a shorter crop cycle as compared to the major cereal crops. To increase potato production Nitrogen (N) among others is the mineral nutrient most commonly deficient in agricultural soils. The optimal response to N fertilizer application differs by cultivar and soil type; hence it needs critical consideration for different cultivars at specific location. Fertilizer requirement varies across locations due to numerous reasons such as difference in soil types, nutrient availability of the soil, economic factors of the area, moisture supply and variety. Ensuring the optimum husbandry including nutrient management is very important because soil-plant system inefficiencies prevent complete utilization of the N, leaving residual N in the soil, which is a waste of natural resources and cause for environmental concern. This needs due attention since the crop demands high level of soil nutrients due to relative poorly developed and shallow root system in relation to yield. Generally, concerning nutrient, optimum yield can be obtained by improving nutrient management (provided that other issues e.g. improved variety are fulfilled) since tuber yield and tuber quality are directly impacted by quantity and timing of nutrient applications. Split application (each on a vital time) of N is important in order to avoid loses through leaching, volatilization, denitrification, utilization by weeds, erosion by running-off water and sedimentation.

Determinants of Wheat Market Outlet Choice of Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Dembecha District, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Wheat is one of the major cereal crops produced in Ethiopia and used as food and source of cash for farm households. This study aimed identifying factors affecting market outlet choice of wheat farmers in Dembecha district of Ethiopia. A total of 130 farm households were used to collect primary data. About 48.5%, 62.3%, 71.5% and 51.2% of respondents had chosen wholesalers, collectors, cooperatives, and consumers outlets, respectively. The multivariate probit model used revealed the choice of wholesale’s outlet positively affected by educational level and quantity supplied; and negatively by family size and cooperative membership. The choice of collectors’ outlet is negatively affected by educational level and positively by quantity supplied; while choice of cooperative outlet is positively affected by extension contact and membership in cooperatives. Similarly, the choice of consumer outlet is positively affected by educational level, farming experience and extension service. It is, therefore, important to strengthen extension service, efficiently using resources, promoting cooperatives membership and farmers experience to assist farmers producing more and choose a more rewarding market outlet. Keywords: Market outlet choices, Multivariate probit, Smallholder, Wheat DOI : 10.7176/JPID/50-02 Publication date :June 30 th 2019

An Improved Approach Considering Intraclass Variability for Mapping Winter Wheat Using Multitemporal MODIS EVI Images

Winter wheat is one of the major cereal crops in the world. Monitoring and mapping its spatial distribution has significant implications for agriculture management, water resources utilization, and food security. Generally, winter wheat has distinguished phenological stages during the growing season, which form a unique EVI (Enhanced Vegetation Index) time series curve and differ considerably from other crop types and natural vegetation. Since early 2000, the MODIS EVI product has become the primary dataset for satellite-based crop monitoring at large scales due to its high temporal resolution, huge observation scope, and timely availability. However, the intraclass variability of winter wheat caused by field conditions and agricultural practices might lower the mapping accuracy, which has received little attention in previous studies. Here, we present a winter wheat mapping approach that integrates the variables derived from the MODIS EVI time series taking into account intraclass variability. We applied this approach to two winter wheat concentration areas, the state of Kansas in the U.S. and the North China Plain region (NCP). The results were evaluated against crop-specific maps or statistical data at the state/regional level, county level, and site level. Compared with statistical data, the accuracies in Kansas and the NCP were 95.1% and 92.9% at the state/regional level with R2 (Coefficient of Determination) values of 0.96 and 0.71 at the county level, respectively. Overall accuracies in confusion matrix were evaluated by validation samples in both Kansas (90.3%) and the NCP (85.0%) at the site level. Comparisons with methods without considering intraclass variability demonstrated that winter wheat mapping accuracies were improved by 17% in Kansas and 15% in the NCP using the improved approach. Further analysis indicated that our approach performed better in areas with lower landscape fragmentation, which may partly explain the relatively higher accuracy of winter wheat mapping in Kansas. This study provides a new perspective for generating multiple subclasses as training inputs to decrease the intraclass differences for crop type detection based on the MODIS EVI time series. This approach provides a flexible framework with few variables and fewer training samples that could facilitate its application to multiple-crop-type mapping at large scales.

Influence of seed priming on the development of pearl millet downy mildew (Sclerospora graminicola)

Pearl millet is a major cereal and fodder crop and prone to attack by Sclerospora graminicola causing downy mildew. The effect of priming for the control of downy mildew using biocontrol agents viz. Trichoderma viride, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis and two aqueous plant extracts Melia azedarach and Azadirachta indica was evaluated in two consecutive Kharif seasons in 2016 and 2017. Treatments consisted of seeds bio-primed with P. fluorescens, B. subtilis and T. viride; hydro-primed with plant extracts; chemo-primed with fungicide (mancozeb 64% + metalaxyl 4%) and control as hydro-primed and non-primed seeds. Priming of seeds with biocontrol agents resulted in improved seed germination and vigorous root and shoot growth of pearl millet in vitro. Maximum seed germination and seedling vigour index was provided by seeds primed with M. azedarach extract (93.14% and 1659.48). Bio-priming of seeds with B. subtilis and its foliar application was found most effectual treatment for controlling downy mildew.

Contribution of recent technological advances to future resistance breeding

The development of durable host resistance strategies to control crop diseases is a primary need for sustainable agricultural production in the future. This article highlights the potential of recent progress in the understanding of host resistance for future cereal breeding. Much of the novel work is based on advancements in large-scale sequencing and genomics, rapid gene isolation techniques and high-throughput molecular marker technologies. Moreover, emerging applications on the pathogen side like effector identification or field pathogenomics are discussed. The combination of knowledge from both sides of cereal pathosystems will result in new approaches for resistance breeding. We describe future applications and innovative strategies to implement effective and durable strategies to combat diseases of major cereal crops while reducing pesticide dependency.

Component Interaction of ESCRT Complexes Is Essential for Endocytosis-Dependent Growth, Reproduction, DON Production and Full Virulence in Fusarium graminearum.

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are critical intermediates in the trafficking of ubiquitinated endocytosed surface proteins to the lysosome/vacuole for destruction. Recognizing and packaging ubiquitin modified cargoes to the MVB pathway require ESCRT (Endosomal sorting complexes required for transport) machinery, which consists of four core subcomplexes, ESCRT-0, ESCRT-I, ESCRT-II, and ESCRT-III. Fusarium graminearum is an important plant pathogen that causes head blight of major cereal crops. Our previous results showed that ESCRT-0 is essential for fungal development and pathogenicity in Fusarium graminearum. We then, in this study, systemically studied the protein-protein interactions within F. graminearum ESCRT-I, -II or -III complex, as well as between ESCRT-0 and ESCRT-I, ESCRT-I and ESCRT-II, and ESCRT-II and ESCRT-III complexes and found that loss of any ESCRT component resulted in abnormal function in endocytosis. In addition, ESCRT deletion mutants displayed severe defects in growth, deoxynivalenol (DON) production, virulence, sexual, and asexual reproduction. Importantly genetic complementation with corresponding ESCRT genes fully rescued all these defective phenotypes, indicating the essential role of ESCRT machinery in fungal development and plant infection in F. graminearum. Taken together, the protein-protein interactome and biological functions of the ESCRT machinery is first profoundly characterized in F. graminearum, providing a foundation for further exploration of ESCRT machinery in filamentous fungi.

English

Barley is one of the major cereal crops grown in Ethiopia. The diversity of barley landraces kept for generations in Ethiopia is nowadays subject to genetic erosion. This is true in North Gondar highlands of the country as well. This research was therefore initiated with the aim of studying the farm diversity status of barley landraces in Debark, Dabat and Wogera districts. A total of 180 randomly selected farmers from six villages were surveyed with a proportion of 30 farmers/village. Ecological models were employed to analyze the level of diversity. Genetic erosion models were employed to estimate the level of genetic erosion over a ten-year period of time. A total of 24 landraces were described by farmers of the studied sites. Of these, 18 of them are still under cultivation although their area coverage is declining from time to time. The landraces Abat gebs, Nech gebs and Tikur gebs were found to be the most common and widely grown. Debark district was found to have the highest richness (Margalef=2.45; Menhinick=1.43) followed by Wogera and Dabat districts. With regard to evenness as a measure of Shannon diversity index, Wogera district (E=0.85) showed the highest diversity followed by dabat (E=0.83) and debark (E=0.79). Simpson’s diversity index (D) also revealed the abundance of Nech gebs (0.66), Abat gebs (0.6) and Tikur gebs (0.52). The landraces Demo kises, Goreneje, Chankirme, Gabieaswelik, Amedo and Gero tal were found to be out of production in the last ten years and probably eroded. Genetic erosion and genetic integrity over ten years (2006-2016) was found to be 25 and 75%, respectively. The name given to landraces studied was found to be associated with certain characteristics or situations. Thus, policy makers and researchers should give attention to conservation of landraces of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) for better use of genetic resources. Key words: On-farm diversity, genetic erosion, barley, landrace.

A LEA Gene from a Vietnamese Maize Landrace Can Enhance the Drought Tolerance of Transgenic Maize and Tobacco

Maize (Zea mays) is a major cereal crop worldwide, and there is increasing demand for maize cultivars with enhanced tolerance to desiccation. Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins group 5C is involved in plants’ responses to various osmotic stresses such as drought and salt. A putative group 5C LEA gene from Z. mays cv. Tevang 1 was isolated, named ZmLEA14tv, and cloned into a T-DNA for expression in plants. The deduced amino acid of ZmLEA14tv showed a conserved Pfam LEA_2 domain and a high proportion of hydrophobic residues, characteristic of group 5C LEA proteins. Transgenic tobacco and maize plants expressing ZmLEA14tv were generated. During drought simulation conditions, the ZmLEA14tv-expressing plants of tobacco showed improved recovery ability, while those of maize enhanced the seed germination in comparison with the non-transgenic control plants. In addition, the survival rate of ZmLEA14tv transgenic maize seedlings was twice as high as the control. These results indicated that ZmLEA14tv might be involved in the drought tolerance of plants and could be a candidate gene for developing enhanced drought-tolerant crops.

Genetic Mapping and Evolutionary Analyses of the Black Grain Trait in Barley.

Barley occupies the widest ecological area among the major cereal crops, thereby generating a high potential for adaptive genetic diversity against various environmental factors. Colored barley such as black grain barley has been suggested to result from environmental adaptation to biotic and abiotic stresses. Using one double haploid population (433 lines), plus three F5 recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations (1,009 lines), the black lemma and pericarp (Blp) gene was mapped between two Insertion/deletion (Indel) markers MC_1570156 and MC_162350 with a physical distance of 0.807 Mb, containing 21 annotated genes in the mapped interval. Whole-genome re-sequencing was performed on two Tibetan wild barley lines (X1 and W1) with black grain phenotype. The probable candidate genes for Blp were discussed based on gene functional annotation and gene sequence variation analyses. Thirteen polymorphic Indel markers covering the target genetic region were used to analyze 178 barley accessions including 49 black husk entries. Genotype-based clustering analyses showed that the black landraces of different geographical background may have evolved from a single origin. Our study represents a significant improvement on the genetic mapping of Blp and would facilitate future study on the characterization of the genetic basis underlying this interesting agronomic trait.

Dry Matter Partitioning and Phenological Traits of Maize as Influenced by Diverse Levels of Humic Acid

Despite the fact that maize productivity is relatively better than other major cereal crops, its current productivity is still far below its potential productivity. An experiment was conducted to asses the influence the effect of humic acid levels on phenology and dry matter partitioning of maize (Zea mays L) at New Developmental Research Farm of The University Agricultural Peshawar, during summer 2016. The experiment was condected in randamized complete block design RCBD having three replications. The experiment was consisted of five humic acid levels ( 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 kg ha-1). The response of humic acid levels was significant to different phenological traits like days to tasseling, silking and days to maturity. Maximum and minimum days were taken by days to tasseling ( Control = 65 and 15 kg ha-1 = 54), silking (Control = 70 and 15 kg ha-1, 58), maturity (25 kg ha-1 107 and 15 kg ha-1, 98). Humic acid significantly effect dry matter partitioning of maize like number of grains cob-1 (574) were taken from the plots which treated with 15 kg ha-1. Higher thousand grain weight (348.5 gm) was taken from the plot which treated with 15 kg ha-1, while minimum (207.5 gm) was taken from the control treatment. Higher biological yield (17338 kg ha-1)was taken from the plot which receive 15 kg ha-1 of humic acid, while minimum yield (11375 kg ha-1) was taken from control treatment. The highest net return of grain yield (5054 kg ha-1) was taken from the plot which treated with 15 kg ha-1, while minimum grain yield ( 3050 kg ha-1) was taken from the plot which treated with 5 kg ha-1 of humic acid. It is concluded that overall 15 kg ha-1 of humic acid showed best performance.

Bioinformatics resources and approaches for the interaction of Oryza sativa and Magnaporthe oryzae pathosystem

Rice is a major cereal crop and serves as staple food for a large part of the human population of world. Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a very important disease that attacks rice, affecting its production and is of common occurrence wherever rice is grown. It is also considered as a model disease for the study of genetics and molecular pathology of host pathogen interactions. Numerous comprehensive studies on both the host and pathogen have been carried out using genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics approaches. Consequently, an enormous amount of information has been made available for researchers to carry out further work on this pathosystem. Bioinformatics has played a significant role in storage and interpretation of the data made available by various wet laboratory experiments, into useful biological information. This review presents an overview of the bioinformatics resources and approaches for the study of rice-Magnaporthe interaction.

Status and control measures of fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) infestations in maize fields in Ethiopia: A review

Despite maize’s current high productivity, higher than other major cereal crops, it is still below its potential, mainly due to many biotic and abiotic factors causing yield losses. The fall armywo...

Bioinformatics resources and approaches for the interaction of Oryza sativa and Magnaporthe oryzae pathosystem

Rice is a major cereal crop and serves as staple food for a large part of the human population of world. Rice blast, caused by Magnaporthe oryzae, is a very important disease that attacks rice, affecting its production and is of common occurrence wherever rice is grown. It is also considered as a model disease for the study of genetics and molecular pathology of host pathogen interactions. Numerous comprehensive studies on both the host and pathogen have been carried out using genomics, proteomics and bioinformatics approaches. Consequently, an enormous amount of information has been made available for researchers to carry out further work on this pathosystem. Bioinformatics has played a significant role in storage and interpretation of the data made available by various wet laboratory experiments, into useful biological information. This review presents an overview of the bioinformatics resources and approaches for the study of rice-Magnaporthe interaction.

Enhancing Maize Productivity through Nitrogen Application Methods and Timing in Pakistan

Agriculture sector plays an important role in the economy of Pakistan and is one of the major determinants of the economic growth and well-being. It contributes about 21% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 45% of labor force. Majority of the population i.e-62% belongs to rural areas, and their livelihood directly or indirectly depends on agriculture. Poor nutrient management is one of the key factors contributing to decline in the productivity of maize in Pakistan. This review article is mainly focus on role of nitrogen and its application methods in growth, development, and production of the maize. Despite the fact that maize productivity is relatively better than other major cereal crops, its current maize productivity is still far below its potential productivity. The rate, time and method of nitrogen (N) fertilizer application are among the major abiotic factors limiting the productivity of the crop and are strongly related to growth, development, and yield of the crop. Nitrogen affects various physiological and biochemical processes in plant cells that ultimately affect the growth and development of the plant. Crop yield increases up to certain limit and declines if applied in an excess amount of nitrogen. Proper nitrogen application at proper growth stages and sufficient amount are need to be necessary for higher grain yield of maize. This review will serves for maize researchers to enhance maize productivity through nitrogen application timing and methods.

Pojava moniliformina u žitaricama

In many parts of the world, the major cereal crops (maize, wheat, barley, rye and oats) are particularly susceptible to infection by Fusarium species. Moniliformin (MON) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species, most often F. proliferatum, F. avenaceum and F. subglutinans. The occurrence of MON has been recorded worldwide, with the highest detected value of 530 mg/kg in maize intended for human consumption. Limited information on toxicity in experimental and farm animals indicates haematotoxicity and cardiotoxicity as the main damaging effects of MON on human health. Its stability and fate during processing has also been poorly studied, so the degree of consumer's exposure to MON is still uncertain. This review summarizes available information on the MON chemistry, toxicity, its worldwide occurrence in cereals, methods of analysis and the potential methods for its decontamination in food and feed.