Quantitative genetics, molecular techniques and agronomic performance of provitamin a maize in sub-Saharan Africa.

Author(s):  
Baffour Badu-Apraku ◽  
M.A.B. Fakorede ◽  
A.O. Talabi ◽  
E. Obeng-Bio ◽  
S.G.N. Tchala ◽  
...  

Abstract This chapter focuses on quantitative genetics, screening of germplasm collection at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, genetic diversity, genetic variation of provitamin A content in maize. Inheritance, heritability, genotype-by-environment for carotenoid content, population improvement, development of open-pollinated varieties were also discussed. Agronomic performance, stress tolerance, combining ability, heterosis were also conducted in sub-Saharan Africa. It may be concluded that maize in sub-Saharan Africa can be effectively subjected to genetic enhancement of provitamin A, along with other mineral components of the kernel and the plant traits for sustainable, high-quality food sufficiency to drastically reduce hunger and malnutrition.

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 1926 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shiferaw Feleke ◽  
Steven Michael Cole ◽  
Haruna Sekabira ◽  
Rousseau Djouaka ◽  
Victor Manyong

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) has applied the concept of ‘circular bioeconomy’ to design solutions to address the degradation of natural resources, nutrient-depleted farming systems, hunger, and poverty in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Over the past decade, IITA has implemented ten circular bioeconomy focused research for development (R4D) interventions in several countries in the region. This article aims to assess the contributions of IITA’s circular bioeconomy focused innovations towards economic, social, and environmental outcomes using the outcome tracking approach, and identify areas for strengthening existing circular bioeconomy R4D interventions using the gap analysis method. Data used for the study came from secondary sources available in the public domain. Results indicate that IITA’s circular bioeconomy interventions led to ten technological innovations (bio-products) that translated into five economic, social, and environmental outcomes, including crop productivity, food security, resource use efficiency, job creation, and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Our gap analysis identified eight gaps leading to a portfolio of five actions needed to enhance the role of circular bioeconomy in SSA. The results showcase the utility of integrating a circular bioeconomy approach in R4D work, especially how using such an approach can lead to significant economic, social, and environmental outcomes. The evidence presented can help inform the development of a framework to guide circular bioeconomy R4D at IITA and other research institutes working in SSA. Generating a body of evidence on what works, including the institutional factors that create enabling environments for circular bioeconomy approaches to thrive, is necessary for governments and donors to support circular bioeconomy research that will help solve some of the most pressing challenges in SSA as populations grow and generate more waste, thus exacerbating a changing climate using the linear economy model.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1792-1792
Author(s):  
Hawi Debelo ◽  
Marc Albertsen ◽  
Marissa Simon ◽  
Ping Che ◽  
Mario Ferruzzi

Abstract Objectives Sorghum is a critical staple crop in Sub-Saharan Africa and has been included in biofortification efforts to enhance shortfall micronutrient content including provitamin A carotenoids (pVA), zinc and iron. The purpose of this study was to evaluate progress in enhancement of pVA, tocochromanol (vitamin E), iron and zinc content as well as improvements in stability from a new generation of transgenic biofortified sorghum events in order to prioritize selection for translation to food systems. Methods Transgenic sorghum events (n = 16) from three different genotypic backgrounds developed to increase provitamin A biosynthesis (PSY1 + CRTI genes, +/− CRTB gene) and increase tocochromanol accumulation (HGGT gene) for vitamin A stability were characterized for carotenoid and tocochromanol profile using liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection. Events were compared against their respective null segregants and wild type (WT) sorghum. Mineral content of sorghum lines and those developed to increase iron and zinc accumulation (YSL2 + NAS2 genes) was assessed by inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectrometry. Storage stability of carotenoids and tocochromanols was assessed under controlled conditions (25°C; 57%RH) over 3 months. Results Total pVA content from transgenic sorghum (5.9 ± 0.1 – 28.6 ± 0.6 mg/gFW) was significantly different (P < 0.05) from null (0.4 ± 0 – 1.2 ± 0 mg/gFW) or WT (0.73 ± 0.2 mg/gFW). A general increase in total tocochromanol accumulation was observed in transgenic sorghum events (14.9 ± 0.8 – 36.2 ± 1.3 mg/gFW) compared to null/WT (14.2 ± 0.5 – 32.4 ± 4.4 mg/gFW) with significant differences observed among transgenic events across different sorghum genotypes (P < 0.05). Mineral accumulation varied among sorghum events with levels ranging from 28.44 ± 1.9 – 48.85 ± 4.9 mg/g and 27.65 ± 4.5 – 63.59 ± 13.4 mg/g FW for zinc and iron respectively. Highest level of zinc and iron was observed in Tx430 sorghum event. Conclusions Findings from this study highlight progress in pVA levels of transgenic biofortified sorghum and the potential for increased vitamin E levels to improve pVA stability over storage. Studies are underway to characterize the bioaccessibility of pVA carotenoids, Fe and Zn from these events. Funding Sources Pioneer Foundation.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Taofeek T. Adegboyega ◽  
Michael T. Abberton ◽  
AbdelAziz H. AbdelGadir ◽  
Mahamadi Dianda ◽  
Busie Maziya-Dixon ◽  
...  

African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms) is an annual legume with the capacity to produce bean seeds in a pod and produce tubers with varying seed patterns and colors. It is suggested to have the potential to significantly boost food security in sub-Saharan Africa due to its considerable nutritional qualities but still yet underutilized. Many farmers show limited interest in its production owing to limited knowledge of its nutritional profile, income generation capacity for small-holder farmers’, processing, and other related utilization concerns. This study evaluated the proximate and antinutrient composition of processed and unprocessed seeds of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa (Hochst ex. A. Rich.) Harms.). Seeds were harvested from the experimental research field consisting of 50 accessions at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria. They were divided into two portions; the first was processed by oven drying at 60°C for 24 hours and the second was left raw. There were significant differences (P<0.05) in the levels of proximate and antinutrient in the forms in which the samples were analyzed. TSs104 had the highest protein content of 25.08%, while the lowest was TSs68 (20.50%). However, in the unprocessed seed, protein content ranged between 24.93% (TSs38) and 19.13% (TSs11). Both processed and unprocessed seeds had high carbohydrate contents. In processed seeds, TSs9 (62.93%) had the highest percentage and TSs1 (29.64%) recorded the lowest. In unprocessed seed, the percentage ranged between 67.36% (TSs4) and 54.23% (TSs38). The observed variation may suggest possible suitability of seed for various end-use products and targeted breeding programs for crop improvements. In sub-Saharan Africa, this lesser-known legume could be adapted as a promising food crop in combating protein-energy malnutrition.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 171-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian A. Fatokun ◽  
Ousmane Boukar ◽  
Satoru Muranaka

Cowpea is an important grain legume crop in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) where, on a worldwide basis, the bulk is produced and consumed. The dry savanna area of SSA is where cowpea is mostly grown under rain-fed conditions. The crop is therefore prone to drought which may occur early, mid and/or late in the cropping season. Compared with many other crops, cowpea is drought tolerant, even though drought is still a major constraint limiting its productivity in SSA. Increasing the level of drought tolerance in existing cowpea varieties grown by farmers would enable them to obtain more and stable yield from their cowpea fields. As a first step towards enhancing drought tolerance in existing cowpea varieties, 1288 lines were selected randomly from cowpea germplasm collections maintained at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture, and evaluated for their drought tolerance at Ibadan. Drought was imposed by withdrawal of irrigation from 5 weeks after sowing. On average, drought reduced the number of days to flower by 12 d, and the mean grain yield per plant was also reduced by 67.28%. A few of the cowpea lines stayed green for up to 6 weeks after irrigation was stopped, even though some of these produced no pods when the study was terminated. Further evaluation in the screenhouse of 142 selected drought-tolerant lines helped to identify six lines that could be potential parents for developing breeding lines with enhanced drought tolerance.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omololami Tolulope Akinsola ◽  
Emmanuel Oladeji Alamu ◽  
Bolanle Omolara Otegbayo ◽  
Abebe Menkir ◽  
Busie Maziya-Dixon

Provitamin-A maize (PVA) with increased carotenoid content obtained through conventional breeding techniques has been largely successful in sub-Saharan Africa. This resulted in a need to evaluate their susceptibility, retention, and nutritional content during processing into local foods. This study evaluated the chemical, carotenoid composition, and retention of PVA, the phytic acid content in ogi powder, and the sensory perception of ogi porridge produced traditionally from the three novel PVA maize genotypes (PVA SYN HGAC0 Maize 1; PVA SYN HGBC0 Maize 2; and PVA SYN HGBC1 Maize 3) and one yellow maize variety (control). Chemical composition analyses showed significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in all parameters. The PVA ranged from 5.96 to 8.43 μg/g in Maize 2 and 3 before processing while the true percentage retention after processing into ogi powder ranged from 20.25 to 37.54% in Maize 1 and 2, respectively. In addition, there was a reduction in the phytate content of ogi powder, and Maize 2 contained the lowest (2.78 mg/g from 4.09 mg/g). Maize 2 genotype had the highest vitamin A contribution; it can meet 18.3% of the vitamin A requirements in children while in adult males and females (&gt;19 years), 6.2 and 7.7%, respectively. Sensory evaluation showed that the ogi 3 porridge (Maize 3) was the most acceptable, followed by Maize 2. In conclusion, Maize 2 had the highest PVA, true retention of carotenoid, vitamin A contributions, and the second most acceptable ogi porridge with the lowest phytate content.


Author(s):  
M. S. Alidu

Background: Cowpea plays a critical role in the lives of millions of people in Africa and other parts of the developing world, where it is a major source of dietary protein that nutritionally complements staple low-protein cereal and tuber crops. It is a valuable and dependable commodity that produces income for farmers and traders. Objective: To review related research work on the genetic variability for time to flowering, maturity and drought tolerance in cowpea. Data Source: Searches were made from the following databases and archives; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), The Essential Electronic Agricultural Library (TEAL), Access to Global Online Research in Agriculture (AGORA) (FAO), AGRICOLA (National Agricultural Library), AGRIS - Agricultural Sciences and Technology (FAO), CAS - Chemical Abstracts (ACS), DOAJ - Directory of Open Access Journals, CABI, Euphytica, Elsevier, Research Alert, Scopus and CGIAR, Plant Genetics and Breeding Database, Crop Science Database, Plant Genetics and Breeding Database, data base repositories, using the terms “genetic variability”, “drought”, “tolerance”, “ time to flowering and maturity”, and “cowpea” individually or in combination to identify literature published in English language between January 1990 to January 2018. Methods: The review was carried out using the above search terms. Research papers were critically reviewed, relevant data extracted, and a narrative synthesis was conducted to determine the relevant papers. Results: In all 150 papers met the inclusion criteria. Collections were from varied background; Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin Americas. Conclusion: Despite research studies on cowpea and drought, there appears to be limited such research findings on the time to flowering, and maturity in relations to drought tolerance in cowpea in Ghana, suggesting more research in this part of the world.


Agronomy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleck Kondwakwenda ◽  
Julia Sibiya ◽  
Rebecca Zengeni ◽  
Cousin Musvosvi ◽  
Samson Tesfay

Provitamin A maize (Zea mays L.) biofortification is an ideal complementary means of combating vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in sub-Saharan Africa where maize consumption is high coupled by high VAD incidences. However, drought remains a major abiotic constraint to maize productivity in this region. Comprehensive drought screening of initial breeding materials before advancing them is important to achieve genetic gain. In this study, 46 provitamin-A inbred lines were screened for drought tolerance in the greenhouse and field under drought and optimum conditions using β-carotene content (BCC), grain yield (GY), and selected morphophysiological and biochemical traits. The results revealed that BCC, morphophysiological and biochemical traits were effective in discriminating among genotypes. Number of ears per plant (EPP), stomatal conductance (Gs), delayed leaf senescence (SEN), leaf rolling (RL), chlorophyll content (CC) and free proline content (PC) proved to be ideal traits to use when indirectly selecting for GY by virtue of having relative efficiency of indirect selection values that are greater than unity and considerable genetic variances under either or both conditions. The findings of this study form the basis of initial germplasm selection when improving provitamin A maize for drought tolerance.


Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1909
Author(s):  
Daniso Beswa ◽  
Muthulisi Siwela ◽  
Eric O. Amonsou ◽  
Unathi Kolanisi

Provitamin A-biofortified maize could contribute to the alleviation of vitamin A deficiency (VAD), which is prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa due to a high consumption of starchy, maize-based diets. Four varieties of provitamin A biofortified maize were studied for grain colour, grain texture, thousand kernel weight, and hectolitre mass. Provitamin A biofortified maize stiff porridges were prepared and their retained provitamin A was determined using lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin, and β-carotene (all-trans and cis isomers) as standards. Provitamin A concentration in the biofortified porridges ranged from 2.24 to 3.18 µg/g and retention from 91–105%. Descriptive sensory analysis and the 5-point facial hedonic test were used to evaluate the sensory quality of the porridges. The biofortified maize porridges were described as sticky, fine, with high intensity residual grain, and having a slightly bitter aftertaste with a cooked maize flavour and aroma, whereas the intensities of these attributes were insignificant in white maize porridge. About 33% of the consumer sample (N = 60) liked the porridges and 28% disliked the porridges, whilst approximately 38% of the consumers were neutral. The findings suggest that biofortified maize stiff porridge can deliver a significant amount of provitamin A to targeted consumers, but the acceptance of biofortified maize still needs to be improved on.


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