This edition highlights the progress made under Chickpea in Ethiopia. Chickpea in Ethiopia is gaining commercial success with an aggressive promotion and marketing of high yielding Kabuli varieties like Shasho, Arerti and Habru through the Tropical Legumes (TL) project.
Seventh bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III...Tropical Legumes III
This bulletin focusses on the progress made under objective four: enhancing common bean productivity and production in focus geographies of sub-Saharan Africa, during year one of
phase III implementation.
Seventh bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III...Tropical Legumes III
This bulletin focusses on the progress made under objective four: enhancing common bean productivity and production in focus geographies of sub-Saharan Africa, during year one of
phase III implementation.
ICRISAT Research Program West and Central Africa 2016 Highlights-Development ...ICRISAT
Groundnut’s major contribution to rural cash earnings in Mali and Nigeria is being cemented by efficient science delivery and enhanced genetic gains. Its importance made it a priority crop for ICRISAT’s crop improvement program that works with partners to scale up the transfer of improved groundnut production technologies, including improved varieties. These efforts also span technology demonstrations, capacity building and strengthening groundnut seed systems.
Working towards release of drought tolerant and disease resistant groundnut v...Tropical Legumes III
Under the umbrella of @tropicallegumes III and USAID Groundnut upscaling project, a team of scientists from ICRISAT and partner organizations have been working towards the release of drought tolerant and disease resistance groundnut varieties in Nigeria.
Science and Technical Partnership in Africa: Technologies, Platforms and Partnerships in support of the African agricultural science agenda, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, April 4&5, 2017
Incremental transformation: systems agronomy in dryland farming systemsGlobal Plant Council
"Enhancing Global Collaborations in Crop Science" GPC Symposium on 4th Nov. 2018 , CSSA/ASA Annual meeting In Baltimore USA.
John Kirkegaard CSIRO Agriculture and Food Australia. Incremental transformation: systems agronomy in dryland farming systems
Identifying and closing global yield gaps in canola. A view from AustraliaGlobal Plant Council
"Enhancing Global Collaborations in Crop Science" GPC Symposium on 4th Nov. 2018 , CSSA/ASA Annual meeting In Baltimore USA.
Julianne Lilley CSIRO Agriculture and Food Australia. Identifying and closing global yield gaps in canola. A view from Australia
Beans - New bean varieties for income and nutrition in AfricaHillary Hanson
Science and Technical Partnership in Africa: Technologies, Platforms and Partnerships in support of the African agricultural science agenda, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, April 4&5, 2017
Presentation at the 95th Governing Board meeting (Program Committee) By Resea...ICRISAT
In support of SDG #2 and others, Research Program -Innovation Systems for the Drylands provide the knowledge, tools and capacity for enabling people in the drylands to transition towards sustainable and resilient farm and food systems. Some of the Priority research issues are listed in this presentation.
ICRISAT newsletter - Happenings, featured 2 stories from TL III workshops held in Nairobi, Kenya. 1. TL III Monitoring Learning and Evaluation workshop and TL III Genetic Gains - Program Improvement Plan. Read the happenings document for detailed deliberations and way forward from both the workshops.
Crop varieties research and implications on closing yield gaps and diversifyi...africa-rising
Presented by Kalpana Sharma, Frédéric Baudron, Yetsedaw Aynewa, Seid Ahmed Kemal, Asheber Kifle, Meresiet Hailu and Shawkat Begum at the Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 8-9 December 2016
Presentation at the 95th Governing Board meeting (Program Committee) By Rese...ICRISAT
In support of SDG #2 and others, Research Program- Asia, presented it's contributions through Crop Improvement, Integrated Crop Management and ICRISAT Development Centre; Varieties and hybrids released globally on Chickpea, Pigeonpea, Groundnut, Sorghum, Pearl millet crops, Biofortified varieties, Fodder varieties & Developmental activities from IDC.
Advances in chickpea crop improvement for improved productivity and resilient...ICRISAT
Chickpea national production in the recent decade increased drastically. This could largely be attributed to the significant improvement in the productivity of the crop. The national productivity of chickpea doubled (1.9 ton ha-1) compared to what it was a decade ago. Currently Ethiopia is the top chickpea producer in Africa and fifth in the world in 2014.
Advances in chickpea crop improvement for improved productivity and resilient...Tropical Legumes III
#DYK National production of Chickpea in Ethiopia have doubled (1.9 ton ha-1) compared to what it was a decade ago. However, the country’s share in the global chickpea export market is only about 4%, study conducted under TL III suggests some future directions to address this: crop improvement to meet quality requirements, drought and heat tolerant varieties, mechanized farming, strengthen seed system to satisfy the increasing demand, enhance technology dissemination and market linkage, strengthened small-pack approach and push chickpea to non-traditional potential areas.
Diversification of wheat based cropping system through the introduction of hi...africa-rising
Poster prepared by Yetsedaw Aynewa, Temesgen Alene, Addisu Asfaw, Mohammed Ibrahim, Workneh Dubale, Zewdie Bishaw and Seid Ahmed for the Africa RISING Ethiopian Highlands Project Review and Planning Meeting, Addis Ababa, 21–22 May 2019
Sixth bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III) ...Tropical Legumes III
This edition of the bulletin features: Key highlights, achievements, lessons learnt during year 1 of project implementation and success stories from the field.
Title: The System of Tef Intensification (STI): Modifying crop management for greater food security in Ethiopia
Poster by: Tareke Berhe, Ayele G. Ayetenfisu,
Zewdie Gebretsadik, and Norman Uphoff
Date: October 13, 2015
[Poster presented at the 2nd International Conference on Global Food Security at Cornell University.]
ICRISAT Research Program West and Central Africa 2016 Highlights-Development ...ICRISAT
Groundnut’s major contribution to rural cash earnings in Mali and Nigeria is being cemented by efficient science delivery and enhanced genetic gains. Its importance made it a priority crop for ICRISAT’s crop improvement program that works with partners to scale up the transfer of improved groundnut production technologies, including improved varieties. These efforts also span technology demonstrations, capacity building and strengthening groundnut seed systems.
Working towards release of drought tolerant and disease resistant groundnut v...Tropical Legumes III
Under the umbrella of @tropicallegumes III and USAID Groundnut upscaling project, a team of scientists from ICRISAT and partner organizations have been working towards the release of drought tolerant and disease resistance groundnut varieties in Nigeria.
Science and Technical Partnership in Africa: Technologies, Platforms and Partnerships in support of the African agricultural science agenda, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, April 4&5, 2017
Incremental transformation: systems agronomy in dryland farming systemsGlobal Plant Council
"Enhancing Global Collaborations in Crop Science" GPC Symposium on 4th Nov. 2018 , CSSA/ASA Annual meeting In Baltimore USA.
John Kirkegaard CSIRO Agriculture and Food Australia. Incremental transformation: systems agronomy in dryland farming systems
Identifying and closing global yield gaps in canola. A view from AustraliaGlobal Plant Council
"Enhancing Global Collaborations in Crop Science" GPC Symposium on 4th Nov. 2018 , CSSA/ASA Annual meeting In Baltimore USA.
Julianne Lilley CSIRO Agriculture and Food Australia. Identifying and closing global yield gaps in canola. A view from Australia
Beans - New bean varieties for income and nutrition in AfricaHillary Hanson
Science and Technical Partnership in Africa: Technologies, Platforms and Partnerships in support of the African agricultural science agenda, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, April 4&5, 2017
Presentation at the 95th Governing Board meeting (Program Committee) By Resea...ICRISAT
In support of SDG #2 and others, Research Program -Innovation Systems for the Drylands provide the knowledge, tools and capacity for enabling people in the drylands to transition towards sustainable and resilient farm and food systems. Some of the Priority research issues are listed in this presentation.
ICRISAT newsletter - Happenings, featured 2 stories from TL III workshops held in Nairobi, Kenya. 1. TL III Monitoring Learning and Evaluation workshop and TL III Genetic Gains - Program Improvement Plan. Read the happenings document for detailed deliberations and way forward from both the workshops.
Crop varieties research and implications on closing yield gaps and diversifyi...africa-rising
Presented by Kalpana Sharma, Frédéric Baudron, Yetsedaw Aynewa, Seid Ahmed Kemal, Asheber Kifle, Meresiet Hailu and Shawkat Begum at the Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 8-9 December 2016
Presentation at the 95th Governing Board meeting (Program Committee) By Rese...ICRISAT
In support of SDG #2 and others, Research Program- Asia, presented it's contributions through Crop Improvement, Integrated Crop Management and ICRISAT Development Centre; Varieties and hybrids released globally on Chickpea, Pigeonpea, Groundnut, Sorghum, Pearl millet crops, Biofortified varieties, Fodder varieties & Developmental activities from IDC.
Advances in chickpea crop improvement for improved productivity and resilient...ICRISAT
Chickpea national production in the recent decade increased drastically. This could largely be attributed to the significant improvement in the productivity of the crop. The national productivity of chickpea doubled (1.9 ton ha-1) compared to what it was a decade ago. Currently Ethiopia is the top chickpea producer in Africa and fifth in the world in 2014.
Advances in chickpea crop improvement for improved productivity and resilient...Tropical Legumes III
#DYK National production of Chickpea in Ethiopia have doubled (1.9 ton ha-1) compared to what it was a decade ago. However, the country’s share in the global chickpea export market is only about 4%, study conducted under TL III suggests some future directions to address this: crop improvement to meet quality requirements, drought and heat tolerant varieties, mechanized farming, strengthen seed system to satisfy the increasing demand, enhance technology dissemination and market linkage, strengthened small-pack approach and push chickpea to non-traditional potential areas.
Diversification of wheat based cropping system through the introduction of hi...africa-rising
Poster prepared by Yetsedaw Aynewa, Temesgen Alene, Addisu Asfaw, Mohammed Ibrahim, Workneh Dubale, Zewdie Bishaw and Seid Ahmed for the Africa RISING Ethiopian Highlands Project Review and Planning Meeting, Addis Ababa, 21–22 May 2019
Sixth bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III) ...Tropical Legumes III
This edition of the bulletin features: Key highlights, achievements, lessons learnt during year 1 of project implementation and success stories from the field.
Title: The System of Tef Intensification (STI): Modifying crop management for greater food security in Ethiopia
Poster by: Tareke Berhe, Ayele G. Ayetenfisu,
Zewdie Gebretsadik, and Norman Uphoff
Date: October 13, 2015
[Poster presented at the 2nd International Conference on Global Food Security at Cornell University.]
First bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III) ...Tropical Legumes III
The Bulletin of Tropical Legumes is a quarterly publication of the Tropical Legumes III (TL III) project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and jointly implemented by the
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Institute of Tropical
Agriculture (IITA) in close collaboration with partners in the national agricultural research systems (NARS) of target countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. TL III aims
to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in drought-prone areas of the two regions through enhanced productivity and production of grain legumes.
Presented By: Tareke Berhe, Ayele G. Ayetenfisu,
Zewdie Gebretsadik, and Norman Uphoff
Title: The System of Tef Intensification:
Opportunities for greater food security in Ethiopia, and elsewhere, through modifications in crop management
Date: October 13, 2015
Venue: 2nd International Conference on Global Food Security, Cornell University
Presentation by Aly Abousabaa from ICARDA at the Breeding Advantage event on the sidelines of COP23.
More information about the event series: https://bit.ly/AgAdvantage
Diversification of wheat based cropping system through the introduction of hi...africa-rising
Poster prepared by Yetsedaw Aynewa, Temesgen Alene, Addisu Asfaw, Mohammed Ibrahim, Workneh Dubale, Zewdie Bishaw and Seid Ahmed for the Africa RISING Ethiopian Highlands Project Review and Planning Meeting, Addis Ababa, 21–22 May 2019
Research on conservation agriculture and associated practices africa-rising
Poster prepared by Christian Thierfelder and Mulundu Mwila for the Africa RISING ESA Project Review and Planning Meeting, Lilongwe, Malawi, 3–5 October 2018.
Fertilizer microdosing technology in sorghum, millet and maize production at ...IJASRD Journal
World population is alarmingly increasing, to feed the growing population, farmers must increase food production. Mineral fertilizer application takes the lion-share on crop productivity. However, due to the high cost of fertilizer, majority of African farmers add smaller than the recommended rate. Therefore, the farmers must adopt a technology that is environmentally friendly and minimizes dose of fertilizer keeping productivity higher than conventional fertilization. Microdosing (small and affordable quantities) fertilizer application produces higher grain yield as compared to control and banding application. Application of 0.3g NPK to 6g of NPK per pocket could increase yield of millet in range of 31.3% to 90.3 %. Similarly, application of 0.3 g NPK to 4 g NPK per pocket could increase yield of sorghum 40.9 % to 83 %. Microdosing fertilizer application is feasible and profitable than conventional fertilizer application. However, fertilizers in Africa are found in 50 kg package, which are not affordable by the poor resource farmers. The availability of fertilizer in affordable package is very crucial in expanding the technology. Moreover, the farmers must have the opportunity to inventory credit like warrantage system so that they borrow money to use it for input cost and store the crops after harvest when the price of the crops are low and resell them when the prices are higher. The use of the microdosing method brings entire changes to the existing fertilizer application methods; hence, there is a need for a strong linkage among researchers, farmers, and policy makers.
Evaluating Plantmate organic manure and prime EC foliar on plant performance ...Innspub Net
Trials for the effectiveness of Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food for increased yields for selected crops were done in five different Agro-ecological zones and soil types, in Kenya. The approach was executed through controlled greenhouse experiment and in the field. The trials data obtained indicated Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food in combination with half the rate of recommended inorganic fertilizer performed significantly (p<0.05) better than all other treatments. Thus, plots treated with Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food gave higher yields in common beans, French beans, maize, onions, cabbages, capsicum with percentages exceeding 100 compared to the control in most cases. In many soils fertilizers are fixed and rendered insoluble under certain soil conditions such as soil pH. The Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food ameliorated the soil conditions as it interacted with inorganic fertilizer thus increasing its use efficiency by crops. Plantmate organic manure and Prime EC Foliar Plant Food not only increased soil chemical fertility but also improves water use efficiency at low matric potential and generally improves plant vigor and soil health.
Farmers perception on production constraints, trait preference and variety se...Innspub Net
Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) production in Kenya is mainly practiced on a small scale and productivity per hectare is lower compared with the world average, despite its promotion in different regions. The chickpea adoption rate is also relatively slow, despite its benefits. This study investigated farmers’ production constraints, preferred traits, and selection criteria for specific varieties to generate information that can assist in the development of new varieties, which can be more readily adopted by farmers. A participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) through Focus Group Discussions (FGD) was conducted in Bomet and Embu counties of Kenya. The direct ranking was used to identify farmers’ constraints to chickpea production, preferred traits, and specific chickpea varieties based on preference. The collected data was analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Farmers’ responses indicated that the major production constraints were pests and disease infestations, drought, lack of early-maturing varieties, lack of market, and lack of information on chickpea production and utilization. The farmers reported that they preferred ICCV 97105, ICCV 92944, and ICCV 00108 due to high yielding, drought tolerant, early maturing, and pest and disease resistance. Farmers in both counties also had a higher preference for Desi than Kabuli chickpea types because of tolerance to drought and disease resistance and that its testa does not peel off when cooked. This study revealed farmer-preferred traits in varieties they would want to grow. Breeders should aim at developing varieties with multiple traits for increased chickpea adoption and production in Kenya.
YIELD PERFORMANCE and ADAPTATION of KABULI CHICKPEA (CICER ARIETINUM L.) VARI...Premier Publishers
A field experiment was conducted under rain fed condition at Chiro agricultural research center and Arberekete research station during the year of 2019 main cropping season to evaluate the yield performance and adaptability among released Kabuli chickpea varieties for the target area. The varieties were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The environment by variety interaction analysis showed highly significant difference for the varieties, implying that there is best fit cultivar independently for each location. Accordingly, the highest grain yield at Arberekete was revealed by shasho, Habru, Chefe and Kasech consecutively; while at Chiro; Yelibe, Habru, Ejere and Kasech demonstrated top four yield scores. Therefore, Shasho, Habru, Chefe and Kasech varieties were adapted for Arberekete and similar agro-ecological zones of the western Hararge; Yelibe, Habru, Ejere and Kasech varieties were adapted and promoted for Chiro and similar agro-ecological zones of the western Hararghe zone.
LIVES feed value chain development: Approaches and scalable interventions ILRI
Presented by Yayneshet Tesfay, Abule Ebro, Yoseph Mekasha, Zeleke Mekuriaw, Yigzaw Dessalegn, Solomon Gizaw, Amenti Chala, Mesfin Tefera, Teshome Derso, Worku Teka, Dawit Woldemariam, Haile Tilahun, Berhanu Gebremedhin, Dirk Hoekstra and Azage Tegegne at the Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, ILRI, Addis Ababa, 8-9 December 2016
Similar to Eleventh bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III) project (20)
Tenth bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III) ...Tropical Legumes III
This edition highlights the progress made under Objective 3 of the project: To enhance cowpea productivity and production in drought-prone areas of sub-Saharan Africa and Objective
6: Sustainable and impact-oriented legume seed delivery systems for smallholders – Cowpea seed system
during 2 years of the project.
ICRISAT’s Seed Systems Models and Lessons Learned booklet explains the rationale of ICRISAT’s work on seed systems in the drylands, the different approaches and their impact on the ground. Improving farmers’ access to improved seeds in the drylands is seen as a cost-effective strategy to improve farm productivity and food security. Different models of seed systems are tested and developed by ICRISAT and its development partners in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia depending on the local context. It includes small seed packets, groundnut seed revolving fund in Malawi, support to community-based systems, farmer seed organizations or local seed ventures, and public private seed partnerships like the Hybrid Parents Research Consortium for pearl millet and sorghum in India. ICRISAT’s vision on seed systems is demand-driven, holistic and working in partnership, along the crop value chain.
Phenotypic variability of drought avoidance shoot and root phenesTropical Legumes III
Research results suggests it is important to design an integrated strategy combining plant phenomics, genomics, agronomy and modeling to maximize crop productivity in a given environment or stress scenario and to develop guidelines for farming options in the face of climate variability in sub-Saharan Africa.
Innovative approach on common bean based technology generation and promotion ...Tropical Legumes III
Higher production of Common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L), is constrained with several biotic and abiotic factors and the common bean research program in Ethiopia aims at contributing to the improvement of the livelihoods of smallholder farmers through generation and promotion of improved varieties which are demand driven, climate-smart, and tolerant to biotic and abiotic constraint.
Development of high yielding medium duration groundnut tolerant to early leaf...Tropical Legumes III
Early Leaf Spots (ELS) is one of the major fungal foliar diseases in Mali negatively affecting agronomic performance of groundnut where yield reduction can exceed 30%. It is important to develop new varieties that combine yield potential and tolerance to ELS, scientist under the umbrella of TL III aimed to develop highly yielding medium duration groundnut tolerant to ELS which is discussed in the poster presentation.
In Uganda, groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L) the second most important legume after beans and is cultivated on nearly 260,000 ha, representing 24.6% of the total arable land. A combined approach including Marker Assisted Selection, agro-ecological testing using Breeding Management Systems (BMS) software shows some promising perspectives and efficacy to resolve the current constraints challenging the crop performance, read more in the poster.
Assessment of common bean genotypes for farmers’ preferencesTropical Legumes III
Commonbean (Phaseolus vulgaris) plays a principal role in the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Tanzania. It is estimated that over 75% of rural households in Tanzania depend on beans for daily subsistence. In order to ensure preferences and acceptance of developed bean varieties, farmers are involved in variety selection procedures through participatory research approach. Involvement of farmers confirms awareness, acceptance, adoption and spatial diffusion of the developed bean varieties.
Advances in legume breeding for better livelihoods of smallholder farmers in ssaTropical Legumes III
#DYK the benefits of legumes: It intensify cropping systems as double, catch, relay and intercrops; Provide ‘free’ nitrogen to soils through atmospheric nitrogen fixation; Act as break crops for disease and pest cycles; Increase and diversify smallholder farmers’ incomes and Increase household diet quality with plant proteins and micronutrients.
Advances in groundnut breeding for drought prone west and central africaTropical Legumes III
ICRISAT has been working with national breeding programs to develop climate resilient improved groundnut varieties. The Tropical Legumes project been instrumental in strengthening the breeding program in the regions and have distributed >1,000 advanced breeding lines to national programs. Farmer preferred variety selection (FPVS) was found very useful for fast track release and adoption of improved varieties. Twenty two high yielding (yield advantage of >20%) varieties resistance/tolerance to drought and major diseases have been released/registered across the region as a result of project efforts (4 in Ghana, 5 in Mali, 4 in Niger, 3 in Nigeria and 6 in Senegal).
Advances in groundnut (arachis hypogaea l.) breeding for resilient cropping s...Tropical Legumes III
Smallholder farmers’ who follow recommended practices including optimal crop density and planting time benefit with yield improvement. The study held under TL III on “Advances in groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) breeding for resilient cropping systems in Burkina Faso” substantiates the above statement.
Eighth bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III)...Tropical Legumes III
This edition of the bulletin focusses on the progress made under Objective 6: “Developing Sustainable and Impact- Oriented Legume Seed Systems for smallholders in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia”, during year 1 of the project implementation.
Welfare impacts of improved chickpea adoption a pathway for rural development...Tropical Legumes III
Study on impact of improved chickpea adoption on welfare in Ethiopia using three rounds of panel data. The study found that increasing access to improved chickpea appears a promising pathway for rural development in Ethiopia’s chickpea growing regions. Published by Elsevier
Ltd. Open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Setting and facilitation of functional innovation platform: Training of TL III project support teams in groundnut and common bean seed systems in Tanzania and Uganda
Richard's aventures in two entangled wonderlandsRichard Gill
Since the loophole-free Bell experiments of 2020 and the Nobel prizes in physics of 2022, critics of Bell's work have retreated to the fortress of super-determinism. Now, super-determinism is a derogatory word - it just means "determinism". Palmer, Hance and Hossenfelder argue that quantum mechanics and determinism are not incompatible, using a sophisticated mathematical construction based on a subtle thinning of allowed states and measurements in quantum mechanics, such that what is left appears to make Bell's argument fail, without altering the empirical predictions of quantum mechanics. I think however that it is a smoke screen, and the slogan "lost in math" comes to my mind. I will discuss some other recent disproofs of Bell's theorem using the language of causality based on causal graphs. Causal thinking is also central to law and justice. I will mention surprising connections to my work on serial killer nurse cases, in particular the Dutch case of Lucia de Berk and the current UK case of Lucy Letby.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MARTIAN ATMOSPHERE SAMPLE RETURN.Sérgio Sacani
The return of a sample of near-surface atmosphere from Mars would facilitate answers to several first-order science questions surrounding the formation and evolution of the planet. One of the important aspects of terrestrial planet formation in general is the role that primary atmospheres played in influencing the chemistry and structure of the planets and their antecedents. Studies of the martian atmosphere can be used to investigate the role of a primary atmosphere in its history. Atmosphere samples would also inform our understanding of the near-surface chemistry of the planet, and ultimately the prospects for life. High-precision isotopic analyses of constituent gases are needed to address these questions, requiring that the analyses are made on returned samples rather than in situ.
Deep Behavioral Phenotyping in Systems Neuroscience for Functional Atlasing a...Ana Luísa Pinho
Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) provides means to characterize brain activations in response to behavior. However, cognitive neuroscience has been limited to group-level effects referring to the performance of specific tasks. To obtain the functional profile of elementary cognitive mechanisms, the combination of brain responses to many tasks is required. Yet, to date, both structural atlases and parcellation-based activations do not fully account for cognitive function and still present several limitations. Further, they do not adapt overall to individual characteristics. In this talk, I will give an account of deep-behavioral phenotyping strategies, namely data-driven methods in large task-fMRI datasets, to optimize functional brain-data collection and improve inference of effects-of-interest related to mental processes. Key to this approach is the employment of fast multi-functional paradigms rich on features that can be well parametrized and, consequently, facilitate the creation of psycho-physiological constructs to be modelled with imaging data. Particular emphasis will be given to music stimuli when studying high-order cognitive mechanisms, due to their ecological nature and quality to enable complex behavior compounded by discrete entities. I will also discuss how deep-behavioral phenotyping and individualized models applied to neuroimaging data can better account for the subject-specific organization of domain-general cognitive systems in the human brain. Finally, the accumulation of functional brain signatures brings the possibility to clarify relationships among tasks and create a univocal link between brain systems and mental functions through: (1) the development of ontologies proposing an organization of cognitive processes; and (2) brain-network taxonomies describing functional specialization. To this end, tools to improve commensurability in cognitive science are necessary, such as public repositories, ontology-based platforms and automated meta-analysis tools. I will thus discuss some brain-atlasing resources currently under development, and their applicability in cognitive as well as clinical neuroscience.
This pdf is about the Schizophrenia.
For more details visit on YouTube; @SELF-EXPLANATORY;
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiarMZDNhe1A3Rnpr_WkzA/videos
Thanks...!
Observation of Io’s Resurfacing via Plume Deposition Using Ground-based Adapt...Sérgio Sacani
Since volcanic activity was first discovered on Io from Voyager images in 1979, changes
on Io’s surface have been monitored from both spacecraft and ground-based telescopes.
Here, we present the highest spatial resolution images of Io ever obtained from a groundbased telescope. These images, acquired by the SHARK-VIS instrument on the Large
Binocular Telescope, show evidence of a major resurfacing event on Io’s trailing hemisphere. When compared to the most recent spacecraft images, the SHARK-VIS images
show that a plume deposit from a powerful eruption at Pillan Patera has covered part
of the long-lived Pele plume deposit. Although this type of resurfacing event may be common on Io, few have been detected due to the rarity of spacecraft visits and the previously low spatial resolution available from Earth-based telescopes. The SHARK-VIS instrument ushers in a new era of high resolution imaging of Io’s surface using adaptive
optics at visible wavelengths.
This presentation explores a brief idea about the structural and functional attributes of nucleotides, the structure and function of genetic materials along with the impact of UV rays and pH upon them.
Cancer cell metabolism: special Reference to Lactate PathwayAADYARAJPANDEY1
Normal Cell Metabolism:
Cellular respiration describes the series of steps that cells use to break down sugar and other chemicals to get the energy we need to function.
Energy is stored in the bonds of glucose and when glucose is broken down, much of that energy is released.
Cell utilize energy in the form of ATP.
The first step of respiration is called glycolysis. In a series of steps, glycolysis breaks glucose into two smaller molecules - a chemical called pyruvate. A small amount of ATP is formed during this process.
Most healthy cells continue the breakdown in a second process, called the Kreb's cycle. The Kreb's cycle allows cells to “burn” the pyruvates made in glycolysis to get more ATP.
The last step in the breakdown of glucose is called oxidative phosphorylation (Ox-Phos).
It takes place in specialized cell structures called mitochondria. This process produces a large amount of ATP. Importantly, cells need oxygen to complete oxidative phosphorylation.
If a cell completes only glycolysis, only 2 molecules of ATP are made per glucose. However, if the cell completes the entire respiration process (glycolysis - Kreb's - oxidative phosphorylation), about 36 molecules of ATP are created, giving it much more energy to use.
IN CANCER CELL:
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
Unlike healthy cells that "burn" the entire molecule of sugar to capture a large amount of energy as ATP, cancer cells are wasteful.
Cancer cells only partially break down sugar molecules. They overuse the first step of respiration, glycolysis. They frequently do not complete the second step, oxidative phosphorylation.
This results in only 2 molecules of ATP per each glucose molecule instead of the 36 or so ATPs healthy cells gain. As a result, cancer cells need to use a lot more sugar molecules to get enough energy to survive.
introduction to WARBERG PHENOMENA:
WARBURG EFFECT Usually, cancer cells are highly glycolytic (glucose addiction) and take up more glucose than do normal cells from outside.
Otto Heinrich Warburg (; 8 October 1883 – 1 August 1970) In 1931 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology for his "discovery of the nature and mode of action of the respiratory enzyme.
WARNBURG EFFECT : cancer cells under aerobic (well-oxygenated) conditions to metabolize glucose to lactate (aerobic glycolysis) is known as the Warburg effect. Warburg made the observation that tumor slices consume glucose and secrete lactate at a higher rate than normal tissues.
Earliest Galaxies in the JADES Origins Field: Luminosity Function and Cosmic ...Sérgio Sacani
We characterize the earliest galaxy population in the JADES Origins Field (JOF), the deepest
imaging field observed with JWST. We make use of the ancillary Hubble optical images (5 filters
spanning 0.4−0.9µm) and novel JWST images with 14 filters spanning 0.8−5µm, including 7 mediumband filters, and reaching total exposure times of up to 46 hours per filter. We combine all our data
at > 2.3µm to construct an ultradeep image, reaching as deep as ≈ 31.4 AB mag in the stack and
30.3-31.0 AB mag (5σ, r = 0.1” circular aperture) in individual filters. We measure photometric
redshifts and use robust selection criteria to identify a sample of eight galaxy candidates at redshifts
z = 11.5 − 15. These objects show compact half-light radii of R1/2 ∼ 50 − 200pc, stellar masses of
M⋆ ∼ 107−108M⊙, and star-formation rates of SFR ∼ 0.1−1 M⊙ yr−1
. Our search finds no candidates
at 15 < z < 20, placing upper limits at these redshifts. We develop a forward modeling approach to
infer the properties of the evolving luminosity function without binning in redshift or luminosity that
marginalizes over the photometric redshift uncertainty of our candidate galaxies and incorporates the
impact of non-detections. We find a z = 12 luminosity function in good agreement with prior results,
and that the luminosity function normalization and UV luminosity density decline by a factor of ∼ 2.5
from z = 12 to z = 14. We discuss the possible implications of our results in the context of theoretical
models for evolution of the dark matter halo mass function.
A brief information about the SCOP protein database used in bioinformatics.
The Structural Classification of Proteins (SCOP) database is a comprehensive and authoritative resource for the structural and evolutionary relationships of proteins. It provides a detailed and curated classification of protein structures, grouping them into families, superfamilies, and folds based on their structural and sequence similarities.
Seminar of U.V. Spectroscopy by SAMIR PANDASAMIR PANDA
Spectroscopy is a branch of science dealing the study of interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy refers to absorption spectroscopy or reflect spectroscopy in the UV-VIS spectral region.
Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy is an analytical method that can measure the amount of light received by the analyte.
Eleventh bulletin of the quarterly publication of Tropical Legumes III (TL III) project
1. 11
2018
Bulletin of Tropical Legumes
Project:
Tropical Legumes III
(TL III)
Investor:
Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation
Partners:This work has
been undertaken
as part of the
Summary
Ethiopian chickpea is gaining commercial
success with an aggressive promotion and
marketing of high yielding Kabuli varieties like
Shasho, Arerti and Habru through the Tropical
Legumes (TL) project.
Introduction
Commercialization of chickpea in Ethiopia
through technology adaptation, supported
by effective seed system has emerged as an
effective strategy for addressing rural poverty
and food insecurity. The TL III project supported
by BMGF and implemented by ICRISAT and its
strategic partners in ESA and WCA has been
at the forefront of adapting and scaling up of
improved chickpea varieties that benefit of
farmers and value chain actors in the country. Some of
the chickpea varieties, like Shasho, Arerti and Habru,
have high potential in terms of productivity but they
do not have a high adoption rate among the farmers
are being promoted by TL III project in Ethiopia. These
efforts have resulted in a significant increase in adoption
and productivity gains at the farm level. The gains have
also been facilitated by an enabling policy framework,
supportive for commercialization of legume. In this brief,
we have highlighted some of the achievements of the
project.
A targeted approach to address
bio-challenges
Despite the enormous potential of chickpea in reducing
poverty and food insecurity among smallholder
farmers in Ethiopia, the productivity of this legume
Figure 1: Performance trials of breeding lines ICCV 96836 and ICCV 10515 in the advanced stage of crop growth
at Alem Tena station.
Photo: Asnake Fikre
Resistance candidate lines
AB susceptible lines
Improving chickpea production to create wider welfare impact by leveraging
technology and seed system development
About the bulletin
The Bulletin of Tropical Legumes is a quarterly publication of the Tropical Legumes III (TL III) project.
The project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and jointly implemented by the
International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the International Center
for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in close
collaboration with the national agricultural research systems (NARS) of target countries in sub-Saharan
Africa and South Asia.
2. Bulletin of Tropical Legumes2
crop is highly constrained by both biotic and abiotic
factors. Commercialization of chickpea in the country
is also hampered by low productivity and inadequate
grain quality. Through TL III project, several chickpea
lines and varieties have been tested and evaluated for
against different production and market challenges. For
example, Ascochyta Blight (AB), pod borer and fusarium
wilt are particularly devastating biotic stresses for desi
chickpea resulting in 100% crop loss in extreme cases.
Under the TL III project, two desi type chickpea breeding
lines (ICCV 96836 and ICCV 10515) were evaluated in
Ethiopia have proved to be resistant to AB and have
been presented for release.
During the implementation period of TL II and TL III
(2007–2017) that 11 improved high yielding chickpea
varieties were released in the country (Table 1).
Dhera , a Kabuli variety released in the year 2016
yields 17-39 on research and 13-14 q/ha on farmer
fields. This gives an advantage of about 11% over the
standard check (Ejere variety) and 54% over the local
check. Another factor for releasing Dhera variety was
its suitability for mechanization and thus a potential
for largescale cultivation. Dhera is currently undergoing
tests for its incorporation in wheat mono-cropping agro-
ecologies of the country. The tests are being conducted
in partnership with GIZ Kulumsa Center and Ethiopian
Seed Enterprises.
DIMTU variety is high yielding and suitable for
production on high altitudes, with a yield advantage of
15% and 30% over standard check (Minjar) and local
check, respectively. HORA has a yield advantage of
about 23% over standard check (Ejere) and 70% over the
local check (DZ 10-4) in high potential environments.
Figure 2: Field with recently released mechanized suitable chickpea variety “Dhera” at Debere Zeit Station.
Photo: Asnake Fikre
Table 1: New varieties released nationally and regionally during the project period and promoted to replace old ones.
Breeding Lines Local Name
Type
Desi/Kabuli Release year Description
ICCX-910112-6 Natoli Desi 2007 High yielding, seed quality and root rot tolerance.
Acos Dubie Acos dubie Kabuli 2010 Large seed size and high export market value.
ICCV 03107 Minjar Desi 2010 Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta tolerance
ICCX-940002-F5-
242p-1-1-1
Dalota desi 2013 High yield, fusarium wilt and Ascochyta tolerance.
ICCV-00104 Teketaye Desi 2013 High yield, fusarium wilt and Ascochyta tolerance.
ICCV-03402 Akuri Kabuli 2011 Ascochyta blight tolerant and Seed size
FLIP-95-31C Kassech Kabuli 2011 Ascochyta blight tolerant, Seed size, Yield.
ICCV-01308 Kobo Kabuli 2012 Ascochyta blight tolerant and Seed size
ICCV-10107 DIMTU desi 2016 High yielding, suitable for production in high altitude
(1800 to 2800 ab.s.l.) areas, large seed size.
FLIP 04-9C HORA Kabuli 2016 High yield in high potential environments.
FLIP 0163 DHERA Kabuli 2016 High yield, tall erect growth habit suitable for
mechanical harvesting.
3. 3Bulletin of Tropical Legumes
July 15,2017
DZARC
Oct 20, 2017
WARC
Jan 15, 2018
WARC
April 10, 2018
DZARC
Chickpea Shuttle breeding cycle verification:
*Planting scheme for multiple generation for
medium to early maturity groups, between
Werer and Debere Zeit stations using both
rainfed and irrigation.
*Harvesting on matured/yellow/ stage pods
*Target= breeding time, GG, and var
replacement rate improves by 3 fold
Breeding Program Assessment Tool
The TL II and TL III projects were designed to improve
breeding efficiency and scaling up of the technologies
contributing to enhanced genetic gains. The national
chickpea-breeding program in Ethiopia has been
assessed by the project using the BMGF’s Breeding
Program Assessment Tool (BPAT) to identify the weak
links that need to be addressed by the project. Skills for
experimental/trial design, data collection and analysis
plus capacity to fast-track the breeding processes were
areas identified for immediate attention. Under the TL
III project, Breeding Management System (BMS) training
were conducted to enhance the skills of technicians and
scientists in the national chickpea program. The BMS is
now routinely used for crossing designs, field planning,
digital data collection. Through the project the program
has acquired a barcode printer and scanner for field
labelling and tracing. The national program is also now
able to carry out multiple generation advancements in a
year. For example, about 3-4 generation advancements
per year have been achieved under TL III in Debre Zeit
and Werer research stations.
Besides, there is an ongoing effort under the project to
modernize the NARS and CGIAR breeding programs to
significantly improve trial data quality and quantity, fully
adopt the breeding management system (BMS), and
integrate genomics-assisted breeding with clear product
profiles. If these achievements can be replicated
in other stations, then this will save time, increase
the number of crosses in a year, increase variety
replacement rate for greater genetic gains and improved
total breeding efficiency.
Technology awareness and promotion
Awareness and availability of agricultural technology
are critical for adoption and better welfare impacts
(Shiferaw and Kebede 2008). Therefore, the best
performing varieties from the evaluation exercises
together with best-bet varieties that were not widely
cultivated by farmers have been promoted for wider
adoption by the two phases of TL projects (TL II and TL
III) through awareness creation and revamping the seed
systems. Technology awareness has been promoted
through Farmer Participatory Variety Selection (FPVS).
The FPVS technique evaluates and promotes the best-
bet varieties in their micro-ecologies and thus mediating
and catalyzing variety development, promotion and
adoption. To this end, a total of 140 FPVs have been
conducted successfully in 32 districts (Figure 4) using a
total of 14 potential varieties1
.
A total of 537 farmers (407 male and 130 female) have
participated in these FPVS. Alongside, FPVS more than
Figure 3: Pictorial representation of improving breeding efficiency by adopting multiple generations per year.
1
A total of 6 desi (Mastewal, Natoli, Minjar, Dalota, Teji, Teketay) and 8 Kabuli (Habru, Fetenech, Arerti, Ejere, Acos Dube, Akuri, Kassech, Kutaye) types.
4. Bulletin of Tropical Legumes4
900 demonstrations and 10 field-days (Figure 5) have
been conducted under the project. Some 1800 farmers
participated in the 10 field-days with about 18% of them
being women farmers. These field days were televised
and appeared on the prime news.
Adoption of these varieties and accompanying
integrated crop management practices in Ethiopia
contributed to increased chickpea productivity from
550 kg/ha in 1993 to 1,913 kg/ha in 2014 and total
production from 168,000 ton about 109,000 ha to
458,682 t on about 240,000 ha in 2014 (CSA, 2015). The
change in production is about 173% over 2003 base
figure, and both gains in area (120%) and productivity
(248%) have contributed to these remarkable increases.
The estimated level of chickpea variety adoption now
is between 25 and 30% with significant impact on
increased household income and reduced poverty.
Seed systems
The chickpea seed system in Ethiopia is driven by three
main categories of value chain actors. Research sector is
responsible for early generation nucleus seed, breeder
and pre-basic seeds. The seed associations, private
sector and parastatals deal with basic and certified/
QDS seed classes. The cooperative unions, NGOs and
other actors in the value chain handle seed promotion
and distribution of certified/QDS of 1 -3 generations
normally called C1; C2 and C3 (Figure 6).
Apart from this, an innovative scheme of demos/FPVS
based seed and technology promotion has been found
instrumental in TL III project. This later innovative
approach has enabled this crop to be grown in non-
traditional chickpea areas Northern Gonder Zone,
Hararge, Bale, Gojam and southern areas. Under the
Figure 4: Chickpea intervention domains in the course of TL project phases.
Figure 5: Chickpea seed producers field day at Gitche Gara babao seed producer association plot.
Photo: Asnake Fikre
5. project, producer organization and demos produced
a total of 6,498 tons of seed. Some 25 seed producer
organizations and 4 parastatals were participants in this
seed production. And on capacity building, more than
2400 farmers have been trained under the project on
chickpea seed production, management and processing.
The main challenge in chickpea seed system is the
unmet demand due to limited seed supply/production.
Currently, if one calculates the ideal seed demand on
and area with 75% of cultivated land under chickpea
production, then about 20,800 tons of seed is needed.
However, the annual average estimate of chickpea
seed production does not exceed 3,000 – 4,000 tons
(less than 20% of the demand). This could highly be
attributed to low interest of the formal seed system in
the country’s chickpea seed production because of low
profitability arising from low chickpea seed production
(yield). The chickpea seed production in Ethiopia is only
composed of a few public and private seed enterprises.
Examples of impact
Mrs Temegnush is a single woman as she lost her
husband. She has been able to secure a steady source of
livelihood through the income generated from chickpea
seed production. She has been able to generate ETB
10,000 – 15,000 per year during the four years of TL II.
She used the income to pay education of her children
and construct a house in a town, 20 km away from
her village. Similarly, Mr Amha, chair of Amuari PLC,
has been able to produce seed of improved chickpea
varieties (Arerti, Habru, Natoli, Tekeay) in the range of
200 to 250 tons of certified/QDS seed and made about
ETB 4-5 million gross sale per annum. Mr Alemu, the
founder of Burka Agr PLC, is a newly recruited Amuari
PLC member and is now able to provide about 100 tons
of foundation and QDS seed. Nationally, there are about
18 farmer-based seed producing organizations involved
in chickpea seed production and making profits out of
it. Therefore, are newly emerging entities working on
chickpea with agri-business model.
1
2
3
5
2 2
3 3 3
5 5 5 5
4
5
4 4 4
Timeandchickpeaseedsystemsprogress
4
= = = =EGS; CERTIFIED; QDs; Farmers to Farmers seed
1= National Improvement Program; 2= Research Centers; 3= Public Seed Enterprises; 4= CBOs (Union Farmers,
Seed Producer associations); 5= Private Seed Producers; 6= Farmers
6
Figure 6: Chickpea Seed System operation scheme (Source: Mekasha et al; in press).
5Bulletin of Tropical Legumes
6. Contacts: To contribute or participate in Tropical Legumes III:
Dr Rajeev K Varshney, TL III - PI, Email: r.k.varshney@cgiar.org and/or
Dr Chris Ojiewo, TL III - Coordinator, Email: c.ojiewo@cgiar.org or
Address: ICRISAT-Nairobi, UN Avenue, Gigiri, Po.Box 39063 – 00623,
Nairobi, Kenya, Phone: +254-20 722 4566, Cell: +254 720 351 323
Webpage: http://tropicallegumes.icrisat.org/
For TL III updates follow:
/tropicallegumesIII
/tropicallegumes
/tropicallegumes
/TLIII
ICRISAT is a member of the CGIAR System Organization
About ICRISAT: www.icrisat.org
ICRISAT’s scientific information: EXPLOREit.icrisat.org
May 2018
Challenges
▪▪ Availability of mechanized harvester and thresher
▪▪ Climate variability (erratic rainfall) and biothreats like
AB, FW,
▪▪ PVT system weakness in seed development
Conclusion
Through enhanced chickpea production spurred by new
varieties and technology deployment, the lives of famers
have been transformed. Agribusiness model of chickpea
is the main driver for fast adoption and increased
productivity. Effective engagement of stakeholder and
value chain partners is another critical contributor for
reaching impact and scale. There is a huge untapped
potential for chickpea in Ethiopia and rest of ESA
for expansion and intensification based on existing
agroecological potential.
Acknowledgement to all in partners, leaders,
professionals and the funders, who together made
chickpea success a possibility.
Contributed by Dr Asnake Fikre, Regional Breeder –
Chickpea, Ethiopia.
Figure 7: IMPACT ASSESSMENT: Productivity Growth with Adoption of Chickpea Varieties Promoted in Ethiopia under TLII & TLIII
(2007-2017). Source: CSA (2007-2017).