Yield Stagnation Research Articles

Yield gap analysis for rainfed grain sorghum in Kansas

AbstractIn the United States, grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] production is concentrated in the US Great Plains region, with the state of Kansas accounting for ∼50% of the planted area. In Kansas, state‐level grain yields steadily increased at a rate of 0.07 Mg ha−1 year−1 from 1957 to 1990. However, since 1990, sorghum yield trends across the United States and Kansas have been exhibiting signs of yield stagnation. The objectives of this study were to (1) quantify the magnitude of the yield gap and (2) identify possible reasons for yield stagnation of rainfed sorghum in Kansas. Current yield (Yc) was estimated as the average yield of the most recently reported 10 years. Maximum attainable yield (Ya) and water‐limited potential yield (Yw) were estimated with a frontier yield function using an extensive dataset of crop performance trials, yield contest data, and county‐level survey yield data totaling 2997 site‐years. State‐level Yc was 4.7 Mg ha−1, which represents 77% of Ya and 49% of Yw. At a regional level, there is a trend of increasing yield gap in central and western Kansas sorghum‐producing regions. Sorghum yield in Kansas appears to be stagnant due to a small exploitable yield gap relative to Ya rather than Yw, a statewide shift in planting area to environments more vulnerable to water deficits, and cultivation in soils with moderate to severe limitations.

Climate change induced heat and drought stress hamper climate change mitigation in German cereal production

ContextAgricultural production and climate change strongly influence each other and there are significant efforts to minimize negative impacts in both directions. In particular, breeding progress has succeeded in reducing the carbon footprint (CFP) of cereals over time. However, there is widespread certainty that climate change-related weather extremes have led to stagnation of cereal yields in many global production regions. Research questionWe assume that climate change-related yield stagnation is also evident in variety trials in Germany, which has to date only been shown for on-farm yields. Furthermore, we expect that the stagnation in yields also leads to a stagnation in the downward trend of CFP, and that heat and drought stress in particular increase the CFP of cereals. In addition, we hypothesize that the site-specific soil quality largely determines stress induced increases in CFP. MethodsWe conduct a partial life cycle assessment (LCA) with German variety trial data from 1993 to 2021 and determine the greenhouse gas emissions per unit of land (GHGL), as well as the CFP of winter wheat, winter rye, and winter barley. Further, we evaluate the time trends of yield, GHGL, and CFP using linear and quadratic plateau models. In addition, we calculate spatio-dynamic weather indices (WIs) for moderate, severe and extreme heat and drought stress. Using mixed models, we estimate the explanatory power and effect size of heat and drought WIs on the CFP. Finally, we present the spatial differences of heat and drought on the CFP at different soil qualities. ResultsWe show yield plateaus in all crops and stagnating GHGL trends, resulting in a stagnation of the downward trend of CFP, especially for rye and barley. We highlight that heat and drought increase the CFP of all crops. However, the impact of heat and drought on the CFP varies greatly with soil quality across all crops. ConclusionsWe conclude that climate change-induced weather extremes are major challenges not only for cereal production and food security but also for climate change mitigation in the agricultural sector, highlighting the importance of high-yield locations, alongside variety selection and resource-efficient management, for climate change mitigation. SignificanceThis study is the first that proves significant yield stagnation in German variety trials. Moreover, this study is the first to analyze the impact of heat and drought stress on cereal CFP, with novel results that proof that climate adaptation will become a crucial aspect of climate change mitigation in field crops.

Impact of Crop Establishment and Nutrient Management on Wheat Growth under Rice-Wheat System

The rice-wheat system contributes significantly to India's food security. The system's significance is properly handled from time to time, but excessive resource consumption, yield stagnation, environmental deterioration including erosion, and nutrient mining pose the greatest challenges. To address the issue, a research was conducted with objective to see the impact of crop establishment and nutrient management on growth parameters of wheat at Banaras Hindu University's Agricultural Research Farm in Varanasi during the 2019-20 Kharif and 2020-21 Rabi seasons, respectively. The experiment plotted in a split plot statistical design with three replications and four crop establishment methods: CE1: CTPTR-CTW, CE2: CTDSR)-CT wheat, CE3: CTDSR-ZTwheat (rice residue retained), and CE4: ZTDSR-ZT wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) crop establishment method among the main plot treatments and nutrient management i.e. FP (N1), RFD (N2) and RWCM (N3) based nutrient recommendation among the sub plot treatments. Data recorded on growth parameters i.e. plant height, number of tillers and SPAD value at different stages are presented in this paper. CE4 treatment among main plot and N3 among nutrient management practices produced higher values of plant height, number of tillers at 30, 60, 90 days after sowing and at harvest as well as higher SPAD value at 30, 60 and 90 days after sowing than the other treatments. These results might be due to better nutrient availability, better organic carbon, which leads to improved microbial activity, and better moisture availability under these treatments. It may be concluded that conservation agriculture-based crop establishment i.e. CE4: Zero-till DSR-Zero-till wheat (residue retention in rice and wheat) and RWCM-based nutrient application, may be favourable for improved growth of the wheat crop under the region of eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Looking back at the causes of 25-year crop yield stagnation in Europe

Across the world, but especially in Europe, staple crop yields have been stagnating since the mid-1990s, when breakpoints appeared in wheat, maize, and barley yield evolution. We look back here at recent evidence about the most likely causes for crop yield stagnation. If crop yields had followed the 1950-1990 trend in Europe, they would now be 20% higher than in the 1990s, when they started stagnating. Climate change reasonably explains one third of the difference. Recent research shows that increased crop diversity sustains crop yields more effectively than monoculture, but there is to date no estimate in the literature by how much. Finally, the literature suggests that the provision of ecosystem services could help break up crop yield stagnation but to an extent that is not yet quantified.

Dynamics of investment in agriculture in Burkina Faso

ABSTRACT Because of rapid urbanisation and increasing food price volatility, Burkina Faso was compelled to prioritise boosting rice production, leading to a ten-year rice development project (NRDS), commencing in 2009. During the project, the country’s rice production was 3.2 times higher, on average, than the previous decade, while funding to agriculture increased by 210 per cent. This study concerns the dynamics of funding in influencing rice production according to their sources, by uniquely examining mediation effects through cropland extension, rice yield, worker productivity and land productivity. No significant difference between public and private funding are found. Official development assistance and remittance are fully mediated by cropland extension and worker productivity improvement, while other funds are partially mediated. The NRDS might do well to address the disclosed shortcomings in this study, for example, the stagnation of rice yields may deteriorate the food security of the poor.

The impact of Chinese rice support policies on rice acreages

Declining arable land and yield stagnation pose serious challenges to food security in China. Since 2004, the Chinese government has introduced rice support policies to stimulate rice production. A bundle of incentives, including a minimum procurement price, were introduced. Whether they were effective? Rice acreages have increased since the start of this policy, which could also result from rising rice price levels both nationally and globally. Using a natural experiment created by the minimum procurement price policy being introduced in a selected set of Chinese regions, we use a dynamic fixed effects model to perform a difference-in-differences analysis on the effectiveness of these rice support policies. We find that indica rice acreages do respond to changes in the rice prices, and, controlling for rice prices, that China’s rice support policies were effective in increasing rice acreages of both early and late indica after 2004. The paper concludes with policy implications.

Impact of Nano-fertilizers on Productivity and Profitability of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Yield stagnation, multi-nutrient deficiencies coupled with reduced fertilizer-use efficiency have emerged as major challenges to the food-systems of South Asia. Modern scientific tools to enhance nutrient use efficiencies along with augmented crop yields became utmost necessity to sustain food security of developing world. In this context, a field study was undertaken to understand the influence of numerous nano-fertilizers on wheat productivity, profitability and nutrient-use efficiency. Results revealed that application of 100% NPK coupled with foliar-spray of Nano- N + P + K + Zn increased grain and straw yield by 29.8 % and 13.7 %, respectively over 100% NPK. The crop fetched a net return of ₹ 72141.50 with B:C ratio of 5.51 with 75% NPK + nano-N. As a result, the wheat crop produced when Nano-N + 75% NPK was applied produced a greater yield (grain, straw, and biological), as well as financial gains.

Global spatially explicit yield gap time trends reveal regions at risk of future crop yield stagnation.

Yield gaps, here defined as the difference between actual and attainable yields, provide a framework for assessing opportunities to increase agricultural productivity. Previous global assessments, centred on a single year, were unable to identify temporal variation. Here we provide a spatially and temporally comprehensive analysis of yield gaps for ten major crops from 1975 to 2010. Yield gaps have widened steadily over most areas for the eight annual crops and remained static for sugar cane and oil palm. We developed a three-category typology to differentiate regions of 'steady growth' in actual and attainable yields, 'stalled floor' where yield is stagnated and 'ceiling pressure' where yield gaps are closing. Over 60% of maize area is experiencing 'steady growth', in contrast to ∼12% for rice. Rice and wheat have 84% and 56% of area, respectively, experiencing 'ceiling pressure'. We show that 'ceiling pressure' correlates with subsequent yield stagnation, signalling risks for multiple countries currently realizing gains from yield growth.

Interactive effects of long-term management of crop residue and phosphorus fertilization on wheat productivity and soil health in the rice–wheat

In the context of degradation of soil health, environmental pollution, and yield stagnation in the rice–wheat system in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of South Asia, an experiment was established in split plot design to assess the long-term effect of crop residue management on productivity and phosphorus requirement of wheat in rice–wheat system. The experiment comprised of six crop residue management practices as the main treatment factor with three levels (0, 30 and 60 kg P2O5 ha–1) of phosphorus fertilizer as sub-treatments. Significant improvement in soil aggregation, bulk density, and infiltration rate was observed under residue management (retention/incorporation) treatments compared to residue removal or residue burning. Soil organic carbon (SOC), available nutrient content (N, P, and K), microbial count, and enzyme activities were also significantly higher in conservation tillage and residue-treated plots than without residue/burning treatments. The residue derived from both crops when was either retained/incorporated improved the soil organic carbon (0.80%) and resulted in a significant increase in SOC (73.9%) in the topsoil layer as compared to the conventional practice. The mean effect studies revealed that crop residue management practices and phosphorus levels significantly influenced wheat yield attributes and productivity. The higher grain yield of wheat was recorded in two treatments, i.e. the basal application of 60 kg P2O5 ha–1 without residue incorporation and the other with half the P-fertilizer (30 kg P2O5 ha–1) with rice residue only. The grain yield of wheat where the rice and wheat residue were either retained/incorporated without phosphorus application was at par with 30 and 60 kg P2O5ha–1. Phosphorus levels also significantly affected wheat productivity and available P content in the soil. Therefore, results suggested that crop residue retention following the conservation tillage approach improved the yield of wheat cultivated in the rice–wheat cropping system.

Effect of irrigation on farm efficiency in tribal villages of Eastern India

Irrigation is an important adaptation strategy to cope with climate change which reduces vulnerability to water stress and improves crop productivity to feed millions. There is evidence of crop yield stagnation in many developing countries, and irrigation efficiency is claimed to increase crop productivity. Therefore, this paper uses data envelopment analysis to evaluate the farmer’s productivity through technical efficiency (TE), i.e., the relationship between resource inputs and outputs of 513 paddy farmers in Eastern India. The results show that the farms are, on average operating at 14% TE, leaving a considerable scope to improve up to 86% to reach the optimal level. A significant difference is observed between irrigated and rain-fed paddy farmers, such that10% of the irrigated farms achieved efficiency scores over 40% and only 2% of rain-fed farms achieved the same. The tobit and beta fit regression models are estimated to find out the factors that influence the TE. Both surface water and groundwater sources of irrigation are used as predictors, along with other socio-demographic factors. Access to surface water irrigation is identified to be a significant determinant of farm efficiency, however, surface water irrigation, such as canal irrigation, is accessible only to farmers living on plain land. Farmers living on highlands need to explore other sources of irrigation practices, such as drip and sprinkler, that can increase TE and farm productivity. Therefore, this paper calls for government intervention to provide extensive training and facilities for these micro-irrigation practices.

Impact of rising temperatures on historical wheat yield, phenology, and grain size in Catalonia.

Climate change poses significant challenges to agriculture, impacting crop yields and necessitating adaptive strategies in breeding programs. This study investigates the genetic yield progress of wheat varieties in Catalonia, Spain, from 2007 to 2021, and examines the relationship between genetic yield and climate-related factors, such as temperature. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for ensuring the resilience of wheat crops in the face of changing environmental conditions. Genetic yield progress was assessed using a linear regression function, comparing the average yield changes of newly released wheat varieties to benchmark varieties. Additionally, a quadratic function was employed to model genetic yield progress in winter wheat (WW). The study also analyzed correlations between genetic yield (GY) and normalized values of hectoliter weight (HLW) and the number of grains (NG) for both spring wheat (SW) and WW. Weather data were used to confirm climate change impacts on temperature and its effects on wheat growth and development. The study found that genetic yield was stagnant for SW but increased linearly by 1.31% per year for WW. However, the quadratic function indicated a possible plateau in WW genetic yield progress in recent years. Positive correlations were observed between GY and normalized values of HLW and NG for both SW and WW. Climate change was evident in Catalonia, with temperatures increasing at a rate of 0.050 °C per year. This rise in temperature had detrimental effects on days to heading (DH) and HLW, with reductions observed in both SW and WW for each °C increase in annual minimum and average temperature. The findings highlighted the urgent need to address the impact of climate change on wheat cultivation. The stagnation of genetic yield in SW and the potential plateau in WW genetic yield progress call for adaptive measures. Breeding programs should prioritize phenological adjustments, particularly sowing date optimization, to align with the most favorable months of the year. Moreover, efforts should be made to enhance HLW and the number of grains per unit area in new wheat varieties to counteract the negative effects of rising temperatures. This research underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptation in agricultural practices to ensure yield resilience in the context of a changing climate.

Crop production on the Chinese Loess Plateau under 1.5 and 2.0 °C global warming scenarios

Global warming is a crucial factor affecting crop production in ecologically vulnerable areas. Warming-induced changes in the yields of different crops could pose significant challenges to food security and sustainability assessment. In this study, the World Food Studies model and a remote sensing product assimilation algorithm were used to develop a spatially explicit crop assimilation model applicable to the Loess Plateau of China. The model was used to simulate potential changes in actual yields and yield gaps for winter wheat and maize under three typical climate scenarios (Representative Concentration Pathways (RCPs): RCP 2.6, RCP 4.5, and RCP 8.5) from 2016 to 2060. Average yields increased in both winter wheat (2.38 %–4.96 %) and maize (5.41 %–6.85 %), with maize (RCP 4.5 > RCP 8.5 > RCP 2.6) more adapted to climate warming than winter wheat (RCP 2.6 > RCP 8.5 > RCP 4.5) in terms of yield increase rate. The yield increase and yield gap for winter wheat decreased most significantly in RCP2.6 (−2.28 %). Maize yield did not exceed 80 % of the potential yield in any scenario. The average phenological periods for winter wheat and maize are predicted be 2–4 and 9–16 days earlier, respectively. Crop yields were negatively correlated with radiation and yield gaps were positively correlated with precipitation. Future climate change will likely cause dramatic interannual crop yield fluctuations. Winter wheat is predicted to experience yield stagnation after 2050, whereas maize production potential will increase briefly before experiencing a long-term decline in growth. The results of this multi-scenario simulation assessment of crop production provide scientific support for implementing climate-adapted crop management strategies and integrated dry-crop-irrigated agriculture to meet food security objectives in this ecologically fragile area. We recommend integrated management measures to ensure regional food security through crop variety improvement, irrigation regulation, and planting structure optimization.

Identifying the critical phosphorus balance for optimizing phosphorus input and regulating soil phosphorus effectiveness in a typical winter wheat–summer maize rotation system in North China

Phosphorus (P) is a nonrenewable resource and a critical element for plant growth that plays an important role in improving crop yield. Excessive P fertilizer application is widespread in agricultural production, which not only wastes phosphate resources but also causes P accumulation and groundwater pollution. Here, we hypothesized that the apparent P balance of a crop system could be used as an indicator for identifying the critical P input in order to obtain a high yield with high phosphorus use efficiency (PUE). A 12-year field experiment with P fertilization rates of 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, and 225 kg P2O5 ha−1 was conducted to determine the crop yield, PUE, and soil Olsen-P value response to P balance, and to optimize the P input. Annual yield stagnation occurred when the P fertilizer application exceeded a certain level, and high yield and PUE levels were achieved with annual P fertilizer application rates of 90–135 kg P2O5 ha−1. A critical P balance range of 2.15–4.45 kg P ha−1 was recommended to achieve optimum yield with minimal environmental risk. The critical P input range estimated from the P balance was 95.7–101 kg P2O5 ha−1, which improved relative yield (>90%) and PUE (90.0–94.9%). In addition, the P input–output balance helps in assessing future changes in Olsen-P values, which increased by 4.07 mg kg−1 of P for every 100 kg of P surplus. Overall, the P balance can be used as a critical indicator for P management in agriculture, providing a robust reference for limiting P excess and developing a more productive, efficient and environmentally friendly P fertilizer management strategy.

China can be self-sufficient in maize production by 2030 with optimal crop management

Population growth and economic development in China has increased the demand for food and animal feed, raising questions regarding China’s future maize production self-sufficiency. Here, we address this challenge by combining data-driven projections with a machine learning method on data from 402 stations, with data from 87 field experiments across China. Current maize yield would be roughly doubled with the implementation of optimal planting density and management. In the 2030 s, we estimate a 52% yield improvement through dense planting and soil improvement under a high-end climate forcing Shared Socio-Economic Pathway (SSP585), compared with a historical climate trend. Based on our results, yield gains from soil improvement outweigh the adverse effects of climate change. This implies that China can be self-sufficient in maize by using current cropping areas. Our results challenge the view of yield stagnation in most global areas and provide an example of how food security can be achieved with optimal crop-soil management under future climate change scenarios.

Policy and action plan to increase national sugar production

As a national strategic commodity, sugar sufficiency has become one of the government’s priorities. However, until recently, Indonesia is still experiencing a deficit in sugar due to production and consumption gaps. This paper aims to assess the performance of national sugar production and consumption and the government’s efforts to overcome the shortage. This study used primary and secondary data. Descriptive qualitative and Grid analysis was employed, supported by a literature review from various relevant sources. The study results show that during the 2015–2020 period, national sugar consumption was higher than its production. The low national sugar production was due to (1) a decrease in sugarcane area, (2) stagnation of sugarcane yield and sugar content, (3) not optimal process of modernization and revitalization of sugar mills, and (4) policies related to trade and prices of sugarcane and sugar. Out of nine policy options to increase sugarcane yield, the use of sugarcane seedlings of high-yielding varieties has become a priority policy. An action plan is required to support such policy, i.e., structuring of variety; coordination, technical guidance, socialization, and extension; and government assistance programs, especially capital aid.

Performance of improved versions of Swarna introgressed with yield enhancing genes in multi-location trials

Swarna (MTU7029), an Indian mega-variety of rice, is cultivated on an estimated 8Mha of land. There is a pressing need to address yield stagnation and wider adaptability to irrigated lowland and rainfed ecologies as a result of the negative consequences of climate change and population growth. The present study was aimed at improving Swarna for two yield-related traits through marker-assisted backcross breeding strategy by introgression of OsSPL14 (panicle branching) and SCM2 (stronger culm). Foreground and background selection was carried out at each generation. Homozygous BC2F2 plants harbouring both yield-enhancing genes were identified and advanced through pedigree selection till BC2F5 and evaluated in station trials. Three promising lines possessing higher yield over recurrent parent were identified, and a single line, IET 27661 exhibited superior yield in multi-location trials of the All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Programme (AICRIP) and was found to be promising.

Variation in soil organic carbon content and its dynamics under different cropping sequences and nutrient management practices in middle indo-gangetic plains

In the era when the population is escalating at a rapid rate while on other hand the land for cultivation is declining, there is tremendous pressure in high fertile lands like the Indo-Gangetic plains to produce food grains with intensified cropping. This intensification of agriculture has lead to stagnation of yield in cropping systems due to decline in soil organic matter and nutrient cycling. Soil organic carbon along with the microbial biomass are important indicators of physical, chemical as well as biological properties. This two parameters can be determined by various methods like dehydrogenase activity, soil respiration rate and microbial biomass calculation by chloroform and irradiation method. The current paper comprises of the study of different cropping systems in the Indo Gangetic plains in order to analyze its different organic carbon pool, relationship between them and different land use system that influences them. It was noticed that the system receiving both organic and inorganic fertilizers had higher total organic carbon, higher respiration rate, labile carbon along with higher microbial population. Under the nutrient management consisting of FYM + NPK fertilizer treatment there was increasing microbial biomass carbon and total organic carbon over other treatments because of more or higher root biomass. Therefore for a healthy soil and sustainable production system in high fertile and demand area of Indo Gangetic plain it is necessary to assess the soil organic carbon pools and maintain them by using integrated nutrient management.

Genetic-base broadening of Robusta coffee: Assessment of genetic variability for vigor and yield of introduced germplasm

The genepool of Robusta coffee in Ghana has been shown to be narrow and this necessitates the introduction of germplasm from foreign sources which may be repositories of important alleles for key traits. This represents a key facet of Robusta coffee development approach of broadening the genepool to overcome possible yield stagnation of the crop. The present study was set out to determine the agronomic potential of some introduced Robusta coffee genotypes and estimate genetic parameters for important growth and yield traits to direct future improvement strategies of the crop. Following a randomized complete block design with four replications, sixty-seven genotypes including one standard clone were planted in the field in June 2013 and evaluated for three traits: stem diameter, span and yield. There was significant variation ( p < 0.001) among the genotypes for all the traits assessed. Cumulative yield ranged from 8.6 t ha −1 to 14.5 t ha −1 among the top 22 genotypes. Thirty-one percent of the genotypes assessed had a cumulative yield that was equal to or higher than that of the standard. Our results showed that selection based on average first three years’ yield could be as effective as selection based on cumulative yield. Our findings document the extent of genetic variation for highly valued growth and yield traits in the Robusta coffee germplasm collection and provide evidence of the potential to increase productivity through the use of introduced germplasm beyond local collections in future breeding efforts.

IS MICRO-ENVIRONMENT A HURDLE IN GENETIC ENHANCEMENT OF YIELD IN PIGEONPEA?

Yield stagnation in pigeonpea remains a serious concern. Since most cultivars in the past were bread using pedigree method, it seems that this method was ineffective in increasing the crop productivity. To get insight into this failure, 10 highly inbred parents and their F2 bulks were examined by comparing their single plant yield variances. Surprisingly, the inbred parents exhibited high inter-plant variability; and their F2s were less variable than their one or both the parents. These unusual observations were attributed to the interaction of individual plants with unspecied micro-environmental factors prevailing in their vicinity, both below and above the ground. Under such circumstances, the selections had low heritability and unpredictable performance in the subsequent generation. Since these factors cannot be targeted through breeding, it is suggested that the breeders should try other breeding approaches such as bulk, composites, and single pod descent. The pedigree method of breeding, however, will continue to have its utility in the genetic enhancement of qualitative traits like yield.Yield stagnation in pigeonpea remains a serious concern. Since most cultivars in the past were bread using pedigree method, it seems that this method was ineffective in increasing the crop productivity. To get insight into this failure, 10 highly inbred parents and their F2 bulks were examined by comparing their single plant yield variances. Surprisingly, the inbred parents exhibited high inter-plant variability; and their F2s were less variable than their one or both the parents. These unusual observations were attributed to the interaction of individual plants with unspecied micro-environmental factors prevailing in their vicinity, both below and above the ground. Under such circumstances, the selections had low heritability and unpredictable performance in the subsequent generation. Since these factors cannot be targeted through breeding, it is suggested that the breeders should try other breeding approaches such as bulk, composites, and single pod descent. The pedigree method of breeding, however, will continue to have its utility in the genetic enhancement of qualitative traits like yield.

Approaches to long-read sequencing in a clinical setting to improve diagnostic rate

Over the past decade, advances in genetic testing, particularly the advent of next-generation sequencing, have led to a paradigm shift in the diagnosis of molecular diseases and disorders. Despite our present collective ability to interrogate more than 90% of the human genome, portions of the genome have eluded us, resulting in stagnation of diagnostic yield with existing methodologies. Here we show how application of a new technology, long-read sequencing, has the potential to improve molecular diagnostic rates. Whole genome sequencing by long reads was able to cover 98% of next-generation sequencing dead zones, which are areas of the genome that are not interpretable by conventional industry-standard short-read sequencing. Through the ability of long-read sequencing to unambiguously call variants in these regions, we discovered an immunodeficiency due to a variant in IKBKG in a subject who had previously received a negative genome sequencing result. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability of long-read sequencing to detect small variants on par with short-read sequencing, its superior performance in identifying structural variants, and thirdly, its capacity to determine genomic methylation defects in native DNA. Though the latter technical abilities have been demonstrated, we demonstrate the clinical application of this technology to successfully identify multiple types of variants using a single test.