Breeding wheat for drought tolerance： Progress and technologies

Recurrent drought associated with climate change is among the principal constraints to global productivity of wheat（Triticum aestivum（L.） and T. turgidum（L.））. Numerous efforts to mitigate drought through breeding resilient varieties are underway across the world. Progress is, however, hampered because drought tolerance is a complex trait that is controlled by many genes and its full expression is affected by the environment. Furthermore, wheat has a structurally intricate and large genome. Consequently, breeding for drought tolerance requires the integration of various knowledge systems and methodologies from multiple disciplines in plant sciences. This review summarizes the progress made in dry land wheat improvement, advances in knowledge, complementary methodologies, and perspectives towards breeding for drought tolerance in the crop to create a coherent overview. Phenotypic, biochemical and genomics-assisted selection methodologies are discussed as leading research components used to exploit genetic variation. Advances in phenomic and genomic technologies are highlighted as options to circumvent existing bottlenecks in phenotypic and genomic selection, and gene transfer. The prospects of further integration of these technologies with other omics technologies are also provided.

Genotype-by-environment interaction for grain yield among novel cowpea(Vigna unguiculata L.) selections derived by gamma irradiation

This study determined the effects of genotype-by-environment(G × E) interaction and stability of yield among elite cowpea(Vigna unguiculata L.) selections derived by gamma irradiation. The study was conducted in Namibia at three selected sites: Bagani, Mannheim,and Omahenene, during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016. Thirty-four newly developed mutant genotypes and three local checks were evaluated using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Grain yield data were analyzed using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction(AMMI) and the genotype main effect plus genotype-by-environment interaction(GGE) biplot methods. The AMMI and GGE biplot models explained 77.49% and 75.57% of total observed genotypic variation, respectively.Bagani and Omahenene were the environments best discriminating the test genotypes during 2014/2015 and 2015/2016, respectively. Four promising mutant genotypes: G9(Sh L3 P74), G10(Sh R3 P4), G12(Sh R9 P5), and G4(Sh L2 P4), showed wide adaptation and grain yields of 2.83, 2.06, 1.99, and 1.95 t ha^(-1), respectively. The novel mutant lines are useful genetic resources for production or future cowpea breeding programs in Namibia or similar environments.

Genotype × environment interaction effects on early fresh storage root yield and related traits in cassava

Cassava(Manihot esculenta Crantz) is an important root crop worldwide. It exhibits substantial differential genotypic responses to varying environmental conditions, a phenomenon termed genotype × environment interaction(GEI). A significant GEI presents challenges in the selection of superior genotypes. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of genotype,environment and GEI on early fresh storage root yield(FSRY) and related traits in cassava.Accordingly, 12 cassava genotypes were evaluated in a randomised complete block design at three contrasting locations(Jinja, Nakasongola and Namulonge) in Uganda. Trials were harvested nine months after planting and the data collected were analysed using the additive main effects and multiplicative interaction(AMMI) model. The AMMI analysis of variance showed significant variation among genotypes for early FSRY and all other traits assessed.Locations were significantly different for all traits except for cassava brown streak disease root necrosis. The GEI effect was non-significant for early FSRY, but significant for other traits. For early FSRY, 48.5% of the treatment sum of squares was attributable to genotypes, 27.3% to environments, and 24.1% to GEI, indicating a predominance of genotypic variation for this trait.Predominance of genotypic variation was also observed for all the other traits. A majority of the genotypes(67%) had low interaction effects with locations for early FSRY, with Akena, CT2, CT4 and NASE14 being the most stable genotypes for the trait. Significant negative correlation was observed between cassava mosaic disease severity and early FSRY and storage root number,indicating significant negative effects of cassava mosaic disease on early FSRY and stability in cassava. The information generated will inform future selection initiatives for superior early-yielding cassava genotypes combining resistance to cassava mosaic and brown streak diseases in Uganda.

Genetic analysis of the maximum germination distance of Striga under Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.strigae biocontrol in sorghum

Maximum germination distance（MGD） is an important component of Striga resistance in sorghum. The objective of this study was to determine gene action influencing MGD of Striga hermonthica and Striga asiatica among selected sorghum lines treated with a biocontrol agent, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae（FOS） for effective breeding with Striga resistance, and FOS compatibility. Twelve sorghum genotypes were selected based on their Striga resistance, FOS compatibility, and superior agronomic performance. Selected genotypes were crossed using a bi-parental mating design to generate six families for genetic analysis. Agar-gel assays were used to determine low haustorium initiation factor（LHF） using the 12 parental lines, their F_1 progenies, backcross derivatives, and F_2 segregants in two sets. One set had S. hermonthica seed and the other one had S. asiatica seed. Both were treated with and without FOS. Genotypes were evaluated using a split-plot design with three replications and MGD data were recorded followed by generation mean analysis. FOS reduced MGD by 1cm under both S. hermonthica and S. asiatica infestations. Additive, dominance, and epistatic gene actions were involved in the control of MGD of the two Striga species in the evaluated populations. On average, the relative contribution of additive, additive×additive and dominance×dominance genetic effects on the MGD of S. hermonthica and S. asiatica, with FOS, were 20, 33, and 36%; and 21, 32, and 35%, respectively. Breeding methods exploiting these genetic effects may provide enhanced response to selection for Striga resistance and FOS compatibility in integrated Striga management（ISM） programmes.

Farmers’ Perception and Impact of Rice Yellow Mottle Disease on Rice Yields in Burkina Faso

Rice improvement for disease resistance has scarcely involved farmers’ knowledge in Sub-Saharan Africa. A participatory rural appraisal was conducted in two main rice cultivation areas in Burkina Faso to assess farmers’ awareness of rice production constraints with emphasis on rice yellow mottle disease (RYMD) and its management. Farmers’ preference for rice varieties to be used in the breeding program was also assessed. Major concerns for rice cultivation as perceived by farmers were water shortage and RYMD. However, relative importance of each constraint depended on the survey areas, RYMD being prominent at Banzon while water shortage predominated at Mogtedo. Mogtedo farmers preferred rice variety FKR19 because of its tolerance to drought. At Banzon, farmers’ first criterion was taste which was reflected in the choice of variety FKR18. Yield was also a major criterion in both areas, positioning NERICA varieties FKR56N, FKR62N, and FKR60N among the top preferred varieties. Farmers mentioned RYMD as the most important rice disease. Most farmers used varietal shifts or pesticide treatments for RYMD management. RYMD incidence reached 28% in average at Banzon over the 2012-2013 main growing seasons. In rice varieties FKR56N, FKR62N and TS2, diseased plants yielded 79.3% less than the healthy ones. Accordingly, based on disease incidence, overall yield loss in the study area was estimated at 22.3%. Altogether, rice production can be significantly increased by taking RYMD into account in a participatory rice breeding strategy.