PAPER ADAPTED FROM PRESENTATION AT INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INCREASING WHEAT YIELD POTENTIAL, CIMMYT, OBREGON, MEXICO, 20–24 MARCH 2006 U-impact pathway for diagnosis and impact assessment of crop improvement

2007 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
pp. 195-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. DIXON ◽  
J. HELLIN ◽  
O. ERENSTEIN ◽  
P. KOSINA
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Value Chains ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Impact Pathway ◽  
Household System

Agricultural research has contributed enormously to poverty reduction and increased food security worldwide. Wheat crop improvement is a good example of this contribution. Public investments in wheat research from the Green Revolution onwards led to significant productivity increases: following the widespread adoption of semi-dwarf varieties, annual yield growth rates peaked at 2·75% p.a. in the 1980s. Since then, public and private investments in crop (including wheat) research have been modest despite the potential of such research to contribute substantially to the first Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of halving hunger and poverty by 2015. Drawing on a wide spectrum of recent literature, the present paper broadens the usual frame of reference for diagnosing the adoption of improved technology and measuring impact. The adoption of improved varieties and management practices is influenced on the supply side by the nature and performance of the input delivery pathway from research to the farm (input value chains), and on the demand side by the characteristics of the farm household system and the marketing or value-adding chains from the farm to the consumer (output value chains). These three elements (input value chains, farm household system characteristics, and output value chains) can be viewed as a U-impact pathway. This pathway determines the rate and extent of adoption of improved varieties and practices, the magnitude of direct and indirect impacts, and the potential for feedback loops leading to improved functioning of the input and output value chains. The U-impact pathway provides a framework to identify an expanded set of beneficiaries from crop improvement which extend beyond the common focus on producers and final consumers; conventional surplus analysis can then be used to estimate the wider benefits to crop improvement. Additional metrics may be needed to estimate impact related to non-economic benefits, such as poverty, health and social capital. The implication of this fuller accounting of impacts is that the benefits accruing to agricultural research may be greater, and more widely distributed across the economy, than previously recognized by research managers and policy-makers. This strengthens the case for maintained or increased public and private sector investment in crop improvement.

The Social-Scientist's Role in Generating Innovations for Small Farmers: Maize in Nigeria

1981 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 373-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. D. S. Bartlett ◽  
J. M. Fajemisin
Keyword(s):  
System Identification ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Research Priorities ◽  
Farm Household ◽  
Small Farmers ◽  
Pilot Studies ◽  
The Social ◽  
Trained Manpower ◽  
Resource Shortage ◽  
Household System

SUMMARYIn recent years many economists have been posted to agricultural research stations in Africa but their roles and methodologies have not been clearly defined. Maize research in Nigeria has an exceptionally good structure, good facilities and highly trained manpower, yet the innovations recommended to farmers are not entirely satisfactory. Deficiencies are the result of inadequate attention to the way innovations fit into the farm-household system, identification of farmer's objectives, the uses made of maize and problems of resource shortage. Pilot studies demonstrated how these deficiencies may be rectified by an economist, and suggest changed production recommendations and research priorities.

scholarly journals Breeding Progress for Grain Yield and Yield Related Characters of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia Using Regression Analysis

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 195
Author(s):  
Megersa Tadesse ◽  
Assefa Funga ◽  
Asnake Fikre ◽  
Tulu Degefu ◽  
Million Eshete ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Grain Yield ◽  
Seed Yield ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Genetic Progress ◽  
Improvement Program ◽  
Rate Of Increase

The genetic progress in seed yield and yield related characters of 10 kabuli chickpea varieties released by the Ethiopian Chickpea Crop Improvement Program from 1974 to 2017 was assessed during the main cropping season. The varieties were evaluated in the Randomized Complete Block design at Debrezeit Agricultural Research Center experimental research farm. The overall increase in seed yield over the local check, DZ-10-4, was estimated to be 739 kg/ha (38.9%). On station grain yield increased from 1900 to 3250 kg/ha during the last 43 years and the overall increase in seed yield of the Arerti variety over the oldest variety DZ-10-4 was estimated to be 1350 kg/ha or 71.1%. Based on the regression analysis, the estimated average annual rate of increase in grain yield potential was 10.87kg/ha/year with an annual relative genetic change of 0.57%/year. Genotypic change was an important source for increased grain yield potential during the studied period. Positive genetic gains were observed for the yield traits (grain yield and yield components). The average cumulative gains over 43 years of breeding was, therefore, 445.67 kg (23.37%) for seed yield, and 30.26 g for hundred seeds weight (297.7%). Hundred seed weight revealed the most dramatic response to breeding for the last 43 years. It is, therefore, strategically advisable that breeding efforts in the future should give due attention to yield related traits of kabuli chickpea varieties.

scholarly journals Utility of basic research in plant/crop physiology in relation to crop improvement: a review and a personal account

2006 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mabrouk A. El-Sharkawy
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Basic Research ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Crop Physiology ◽  
Physiological Research

Agricultural research and development plays an essential role in a nation's economic development, providing for food security for an ever-increasing population. In developed countries, the gap between potential and actual yield is largely closed because of a combination of advanced technologies, high-yielding new varieties and the application of agrochemicals in highly mechanized production systems. In most of these countries, agricultural production exceeds national demand, resulting in excess products for export. In many of the developing countries, however, agricultural productivity is still far below what it should be because of multiple technical and socio-economic constraints. Food deficits are the norm in poor and middle-income countries, requiring expensive food imports. To partially alleviate this situation, agricultural research must be strengthened. As branches of basic sciences, plant and crop physiology have often been criticized for being non-effective in translating their findings into improving crop productivity, which would enhance agricultural progress. This paper addresses this issue by presenting an assessment of past achievements of physiological research and their impacts on crop improvement and food production. Shortcomings and limitations of isolated, non-relevant research are discussed, along with scientist views on how effective physiological research should be conducted and integrated within breeding-based multidisciplinary research teams. Examples of successful research in crop physiology and their contributions towards increasing crop productivity are given. All this points to the need for steadfast funding of basic research by public and private sectors of developed countries.

scholarly journals Investment on wheat research and its effect: A case of Nepal

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.P. Timsina ◽  
S. Gairhe ◽  
P. Koirala ◽  
J. Shrestha
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Spillover Effect ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Fiscal Year ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Wheat Production ◽  
Agriculture Sector ◽  
Agricultural Research Council ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
National Productivity

Abstract. Although the agriculture sector markedly contributes to the Nepalese economy, very little is known about the government’s investments in agricultural research activities and how these investments have impacted the sector. In this study, we picked a case of wheat crop as it is the third largest crop of Nepal in terms of total annual production. We took government’s annual wheat research investments of Nepal from Fiscal year 2005 to 2016 to analyze the effects of investment on wheat research based on the availability of data. We used compound growth rate, averages, trend line, and bar diagram to present the data and interpret the results. Results revealed that the share of operational budget was lower than supposed to be allocated for the development of wheat research. The pace of increment of wheat production and productivity were observed due to improved wheat investment and technologies. Result shows the negligible spillover effect from neighboring countries in wheat production. Even though the Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) has fulfilled source seed target by producing a surplus, private sectors should involve proactively in coordination with NARC to meet the projected demand of wheat seed in national seed vision. The huge gap was observed between yield potential and average national productivity. To achieve greater impact of wheat research in Nepal, it is necessary to bridge the gap by awareness program, making the availability of improved seed with an improved package of practices.

Economics of Fertilizer Application to Wheat Crop: The Results of a Survey in Lyallpur District (Notes and Comments)

1970 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-99
Author(s):  
Barkat Ali Quraishi ◽  
Muhammad Jameel Khan
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Fertilizer Application ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Fertilizer Response ◽  
Fertilizer Use ◽  
Reliable Knowledge

Reliable knowledge about the contribution of various factors responsible for increasing agricultural production is indispensable for planning. This holds particularly for the fertilizer use, which has been recognized as one of the quickest and, perhaps, the cheapest means for increasing agricultural produc¬tion. In Pakistan the emphasis on planned development is gaining momentum and for this purpose more data and fuller information on fertilizer response are becoming increasingly essential. The Agricultural Research Stations in the country have been conducting experiments with a view to determining the extent to which the cropped yield may increase due to the application of fertilizer. But such experiments, because of their somewhat controlled nature in respect of certain factors, obviously can¬not tell us with a desired measure of accuracy as to what is actually happening at millions of private farms throughout the country. And, as such, the planning in this regard is apt to be wrong.

Comparative Effect of Groundnut (Arachis hypogea l.) Genotypes on Yield and N Fixation in Sudan and Northern Guinea Savannahs of Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 61-67
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Block Design ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Maize Crop ◽  
Significant Interaction Effect ◽  
Pod Yield

Recognition of high yielding and nitrogen (N) fixing groundnut genotypes and desegregating them in the cereal-based cropping systems common in savannah regions will enhance food security and reduce the need for high N fertilizers hence, minimize the high cost and associated environmental consequences. Field trials were conducted during the 2015 growing season at the Research Farms of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru-Zaria to assess the yield potential and Biolog- ical N fixation in 15 groundnut genotypes (ICG 4729, ICGV-IS 07823, ICGV-IS 07893, ICGV-IS 07908, ICGV- SM 07539, ICGV- SM 07599, ICGV-IS 09926, ICGV-IS 09932, ICGV-IS 09992, ICGV-IS 09994, SAMNUT-21, SAMNUT-22, SAMNUT-25, KAMPALA and KWANKWAS). The groundnut genotypes and reference Maize crop (SAMMAZ 29) were planted in a randomized complete block design in three replications. N difference method was used to estimate the amount of N fixed. The parameters determined were the number of nodules, nod- ule dry weight, shoot and root dry weights, pod, and haulm yield as well as N fixation. The nodule dry weight, BNF, haulm, and pod yield were statistically significant (P<0.01) concerning genotype and location. Similarly, their interac- tion effect was also highly significant. ICGV-IS 09926 recorded the highest nod- ule dry weight of 2.07mg /plant across the locations while ICGV-IS 09932 had the highest BNF value of 140.27Kg/ha. Additionally, KAMPALA had the high- est haulm yield, while ICGV-IS 07893 had the highest pod yield across the loca- tions with a significant interaction effect. The result shows that ICGV-IS 07893 and ICGV-IS 09932, as well as ICGV-IS 09994 and SAMNUT – 22, were the best genotypes concerning BNF, haulm and pod yield in the Northern Guinea and Sudan Savannahs of Nigeria respectively with the potential for a corresponding beneficial effect.

scholarly journals Achieving Sustainability in Food Systems: Addressing Changing Climate through Real Time Nitrogen and Weed Management in a Conservation Agriculture-Based Maize–Wheat System

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5010
Author(s):  
Kapila Shekhawat ◽  
Vinod K. Singh ◽  
Sanjay Singh Rathore ◽  
Rishi Raj ◽  
T. K. Das
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Weed Management ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Indian Agricultural Research Institute ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Maximum Yield ◽  
Conservation Agriculture ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
N Application ◽  
N Management

The proven significance of conservation agriculture (CA) in enhancing agronomic productivity and resource use efficiency across diverse agro-ecologies is often challenged by weed interference and nitrogen (N) immobilization. The collective effect of real-time N and weed management has been scarcely studied. To evaluate the appropriateness of sensor-based N management in conjunction with a broad-spectrum weed control strategy for the maize–wheat system, an experiment was conducted at ICAR—Indian Agricultural Research Institute—in New Delhi, India, during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017. Weed management in maize through Sesbania brown manure followed by post-emergence application of 2,4-D (BM + 2,4-D) in maize and tank-mix clodinafop-propargyl (60 g ha−1) and carfentrazone (20 g ha−1) (Clodi+carfentra) in wheat resulted in minimum weed infestation in both crops. It also resulted in highest maize (5.92 and 6.08 t ha−1) and wheat grain yields (4.91 and 5.4 t ha−1) during 2015–2016 and 2016–2017, respectively. Half of the N requirement, when applied as basal and the rest as guided by Optical crop sensor, resulted in saving 56 and 59 kg N ha−1 in the maize–wheat system, respectively, over 100% N application as farmers’ fertilizer practice during the two consecutive years. Interactive effect of N and weed management on economic yield of maize and wheat was also significant and maximum yield was obtained with 50% N application as basal + rest as per Optical crop sensor and weed management through BM+2,4-D in maize and Clodi+carfentra in wheat crop. The study concludes that real-time N management, complemented with appropriate weed management, improved growth, enhanced agronomic productivity and endorsed N saving under a CA-based maize–wheat system in Trans Indo-Gangetic Plains.

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity of Landraces and Improved Varieties of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) in Taiwan

Rice ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai-ling Hour ◽  
Wei-hsun Hsieh ◽  
Su-huang Chang ◽  
Yong-pei Wu ◽  
Han-shiuan Chin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Indigenous Peoples ◽  
Oryza Sativa L ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Genetic Erosion ◽  
Germplasm Conservation ◽  
Gene Pools ◽  
Improved Varieties ◽  
Breeding Goals

Abstract Background Rice, the most important crop in Asia, has been cultivated in Taiwan for more than 5000 years. The landraces preserved by indigenous peoples and brought by immigrants from China hundreds of years ago exhibit large variation in morphology, implying that they comprise rich genetic resources. Breeding goals according to the preferences of farmers, consumers and government policies also alter gene pools and genetic diversity of improved varieties. To unveil how genetic diversity is affected by natural, farmers’, and breeders’ selections is crucial for germplasm conservation and crop improvement. Results A diversity panel of 148 rice accessions, including 47 cultivars and 59 landraces from Taiwan and 42 accessions from other countries, were genotyped by using 75 molecular markers that revealed an average of 12.7 alleles per locus with mean polymorphism information content of 0.72. These accessions could be grouped into five subpopulations corresponding to wild rice, japonica landraces, indica landraces, indica cultivars, and japonica cultivars. The genetic diversity within subpopulations was: wild rices > landraces > cultivars; and indica rice > japonica rice. Despite having less variation among cultivars, japonica landraces had greater genetic variation than indica landraces because the majority of Taiwanese japonica landraces preserved by indigenous peoples were classified as tropical japonica. Two major clusters of indica landraces were formed by phylogenetic analysis, in accordance with immigration from two origins. Genetic erosion had occurred in later japonica varieties due to a narrow selection of germplasm being incorporated into breeding programs for premium grain quality. Genetic differentiation between early and late cultivars was significant in japonica (FST = 0.3751) but not in indica (FST = 0.0045), indicating effects of different breeding goals on modern germplasm. Indigenous landraces with unique intermediate and admixed genetic backgrounds were untapped, representing valuable resources for rice breeding. Conclusions The genetic diversity of improved rice varieties has been substantially shaped by breeding goals, leading to differentiation between indica and japonica cultivars. Taiwanese landraces with different origins possess various and unique genetic backgrounds. Taiwanese rice germplasm provides diverse genetic variation for association mapping to unveil useful genes and is a precious genetic reservoir for rice improvement.

scholarly journals Effects of Elevated CO2 and Heat on Wheat Grain Quality

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1027
Author(s):  
Xizi Wang ◽  
Fulai Liu
Keyword(s):  
Grain Quality ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Wheat Crop ◽  
Wheat Grain ◽  
Wheat Growth ◽  
Elevated Atmospheric Co2 ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
Increasing Demand

Wheat is one of the most important staple foods in temperate regions and is in increasing demand in urbanizing and industrializing countries such as China. Enhancing yield potential to meet the population explosion around the world and maintaining grain quality in wheat plants under climate change are crucial for food security and human nutrition. Global warming resulting from greenhouse effect has led to more frequent occurrence of extreme climatic events. Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration (eCO2) along with rising temperature has a huge impact on ecosystems, agriculture and human health. There are numerous studies investigating the eCO2 and heatwaves effects on wheat growth and productivity, and the mechanisms behind. This review outlines the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding the effects of eCO2 and heat stress, individually and combined, on grain yield and grain quality in wheat crop. Strategies to enhance the resilience of wheat to future warmer and CO2-enriched environment are discussed.

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