The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture's (IITA) experience in priority assessment of agricultural research.

2009 ◽  
pp. 44-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Manyong ◽  
D. Sanogo ◽  
A. D. Alene
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Priority Assessment

Relative susceptibility of 20 elite maize varieties to infestation and damage by the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (04) ◽  
pp. 185-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.C. Nwosu ◽  
C.O. Adedire ◽  
E.O. Ogunwolu ◽  
M.O. Ashamo
Keyword(s):  
Weight Loss ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sitophilus Zeamais ◽  
Prolonged Storage ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Maize Weevil ◽  
Storage Duration ◽  
Resistant Varieties ◽  
Grain Damage ◽  
Maize Varieties

Susceptibility studies keep farmers informed, and enhance breeding programmes' testing against infestation and damage by stored product pests. Therefore, the susceptibility of 20 elite maize varieties toSitophilus zeamaisinfestation was investigated in the laboratory at 32.7 °C ambient temperature and 70.4% relative humidity. The varieties tested were obtained from the Maize Breeding Units of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), both in Ibadan, Nigeria. Susceptibility was assessed, using as indices, weevil mortality and survival rates, percentage grain damage, percentage grain weight loss, weight of grain powder, weevil development time, and number of emerged adults. The susceptibility index was determined post-infestation at 56 days using Dobie's formula and at 90 days from a new formula derived from Dobie's formula. Susceptible varieties produced significantly (P≤ 0.05) high numbers of F1and F2progeny, and had significantly (P≤ 0.05) low weevil mortality and early first weevil emergence. Grain damage and loss increased with storage duration. There was no visible damage to varieties 2000SYNEE-WSTR and TZBRELD3C5 at 56 days post-infestation. At 90 days, the two varieties had the lowest percentage grain damage, percentage weight loss, and weight of grain powder. The index of susceptibility at F2progeny showed that the resistant varieties decreased in number from 17 (85%) to 13 (65%) and the moderately resistant varieties increased from 2 (10%) to 6 (30%). This suggests the effect of prolonged storage duration on the inherent ability of varieties to resist weevil attack. Variety PVASYN3F2 was susceptible. The factors conferring high resistance to 2000SYNEE-WSTR and TZBRELD3C5 should be investigated. They should be promoted to controlS. zeamaisinfestation and damage in stored maize.

Institutionalizing the Farming Systems Perspective in Multi-commodity Research Institutes: The Role of Systems-based Research Groups

1991 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dunstan S. C. Spencer
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Small Farmers ◽  
Systems Research ◽  
Research Institutes ◽  
Research Programmes ◽  
Farming Systems Research ◽  
Research Centres

SUMMARYResearch institutes in Africa have had limited success in producing new technologies appropriate to the needs of small farmers because of an inadequate understanding of small farmers' goals and resource limitations and over-reliance on the transfer of technologies from other regions. Farming systems research (FSR) is an effective way of improving the focus of scientists on the problems farmers face. Vertically segmented thematic research programmes make institutionalization of FSR difficult within multi-commodity research centres, particularly the International Agricultural Research Centres. The Farming Systems Research Group has proved effective at overcoming such difficulties at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture. Its organization, operation and effects on the performance of the research programmes are described.

Feeding site preference of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on maize grain

2015 ◽  
Vol 35 (02) ◽  
pp. 62-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.C. Nwosu ◽  
C.O. Adedire ◽  
E.O. Ogunwolu
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Sitophilus Zeamais ◽  
Site Preference ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Feeding Site ◽  
Breeding For Resistance ◽  
Flat Side ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Maize Grain ◽  
Ibadan Nigeria

The possibility thatSitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky prefers a particular grain side and a grain side area for feeding, and the implications and value in maize programmes' breeding for resistance were investigated in the laboratory at ambient temperature (32.7 °C) and relative humidity (70.4%) using standard techniques. A total of 20 elite maize varieties were used: TZBRCOMP.2C1F1, TZBRELD3C5, PVASYN-3F2, PVASYN-6F2, DTSYN-11-W, BR9943DMRSR, IWDC3SNY-W, WHITEDTSTRSYN, 2008DTMA-YSTR and 2000SYNEE-WSTR, obtained from the Maize Breeding Unit of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, and ILE-1-OB, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-1, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-2, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-5, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-6, ARTCOMPOSITE-A-Y, ARTCOMPOSITE-B-Y, ART/98/SW1-OB, ART/98/SW4-OB and ART/98/SW5-OB, obtained from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. The flat side of a maize grain at the point of penetration was significantly preferred (P≤ 0.05), possibly because it provided much needed space for anchorage and feeding. The South locus of the flattened side of a maize grain was also significantly preferred (P≤ 0.05), possibly because of its soft nature and proximity to the nutrient-rich embryo. The findings of the study have implications for seed viability and can be considered in breeding for resistance to infestation byS. zeamaisin stored maize.

scholarly journals Transition From Targeted Breeding to Mainstreaming of Biofortification Traits in Crop Improvement Programs

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parminder S. Virk ◽  
Meike S. Andersson ◽  
Jairo Arcos ◽  
Mahalingam Govindaraj ◽  
Wolfgang H. Pfeiffer
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Research Impact ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Tropical Agriculture ◽  
Breeding Lines ◽  
Nutrition Research ◽  
Private And Public ◽  
Improvement Programs ◽  
Research Institute

Biofortification breeding for three important micronutrients for human health, namely, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and provitamin A (PVA), has gained momentum in recent years. HarvestPlus, along with its global consortium partners, enhances Fe, Zn, and PVA in staple crops. The strategic and applied research by HarvestPlus is driven by product-based impact pathway that integrates crop breeding, nutrition research, impact assessment, advocacy, and communication to implement country-specific crop delivery plans. Targeted breeding has resulted in 393 biofortified crop varieties by the end of 2020, which have been released or are in testing in 63 countries, potentially benefitting more than 48 million people. Nevertheless, to reach more than a billion people by 2030, future breeding lines that are being distributed by Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) centers and submitted by National Agricultural Research System (NARS) to varietal release committees should be biofortified. It is envisaged that the mainstreaming of biofortification traits will be driven by high-throughput micronutrient phenotyping, genomic selection coupled with speed breeding for accelerating genetic gains. It is noteworthy that targeted breeding gradually leads to mainstreaming, as the latter capitalizes on the progress made in the former. Efficacy studies have revealed the nutritional significance of Fe, Zn, and PVA biofortified varieties over non-biofortified ones. Mainstreaming will ensure the integration of biofortified traits into competitive varieties and hybrids developed by private and public sectors. The mainstreaming strategy has just been initiated in select CGIAR centers, namely, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). This review will present the key successes of targeted breeding and its relevance to the mainstreaming approaches to achieve scaling of biofortification to billions sustainably.

scholarly journals Using a Participatory Approach and Legume Integration to Increase the Productivity of Early Maturing Maize in the Nigerian Sudan Savannas

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Alpha Y. Kamara ◽  
Hakeem A. Ajeigbe ◽  
Nathalie Ndaghu ◽  
Lucy Kamsang ◽  
Temitope Ademulegun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Striga Hermonthica ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Northern Nigeria ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Maize Varieties ◽  
Early Maturing ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Sudan Savanna

Drought, infestation of cereal crops by the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, and poor soil fertility are the major constraints to maize production by smallholder farmers in the Sudan savannas of northern Nigeria. Four innovation platforms (IPs) were therefore established in 2008 in the Sudan savanna (SS) agroecological zone of northern Nigeria to create a stakeholder forum to address these identified food production challenges in the target areas. The IPs comprised researchers from Bayero University, Kano; Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; state and local government extension programs in Kano and Katsina states; input and output dealers; community-based organisations; and media organisations in the two states. The current study reports on the effects of legume integration on maize performance in farmer fields and the adoption of Striga management technologies introduced in the IPs over a four-year period. The deployment of drought- Striga-tolerant and early-maturing maize varieties along with legume rotation reduced Striga infestation by 46–100% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 80–97% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 59–94% when soybean was rotated with maize. Grain yield of maize increased by 63–88% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 69–128% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 9–133% when soybean was rotated with maize. Participatory and detailed questionnaire-based adoption surveys showed high adoption of improved maize varieties, five years after program interventions. The maize variety 99EVDT-W-STR C0 was the most popular among all the IPs because it is early maturing, Striga-resistant, and drought-tolerant. The high maize yields and high adoption rates suggest that the IP approach was effective in disseminating maize technologies.

scholarly journals Genetic Variability in Physiological Seed Quality of Maize Genotypes of Different Maturity Groups

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
J. O. Olasoji ◽  
D. J. Ogunniyan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Seed Weight ◽  
Seed Quality ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Quality Parameters ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Maize Genotypes ◽  
Maize Varieties

A study was conducted to investigate genetic variability in physiological seed quality using viability and vigour tests which were conducted at the seed testing laboratory of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan.  The investigational materials consisted of twelve genotypes of maize of different maturity-early, intermediate and late collected from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and IAR&T, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, respectively.  The experimental design used was completely randomize design (CRD) and data was collected for some viability and vigour traits and the data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant differences were found among all the maize genotypes for the characters under observation. Hundred seed weight ranged from 24.6-29.3 g, 18.5-26.6 g, 22.9-29.1 g, standard germination ranged from 54.0-100.0%, 16.0-92.0%, 50.0-100% and accelerate ageing germination also ranged from 6.0-96.0%, 7.0-84.0%, 0-90.0% in the early, intermediate and late- maturing genotypes, respectively. Conductivity ranged from 5.34-17.10 µS/cm/g, 13.7-91.7 µS/cm/g and7.06-33.6 µS/cm/g with mean values of 11.14, 39.23 and 14.05 µS/cm/g in the early, intermediate and late-maturing genotypes, respectively. Variability was smaller in the late-maturing genotypes for Root Number (RN) and Shoot Length (SLT) but higher for both early and late- maturing genotypes. It was concluded from this study that seeds of early-maturing genotypes had significantly higher physical and physiological quality parameters.  All the early materials used for the study tend to be homogenous for all the traits measured and selection should be practiced for hundred seed weight to increase yield potential in maize varieties.

Weed Science Research at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Research Needs in Africa

Weed Science ◽  
1980 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 439-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. Okezie Akobundu
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Development Program ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Continuous Cultivation ◽  
Grain Legume ◽  
Soil Productivity ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Tropical Agriculture ◽  
United Nations Development Program ◽  
Improvement Programs

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is one of the agricultural institutes financed through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) sponsored by FAO, UNDP (United Nations Development Program), and the World Bank. One of IITA's mandates is to conduct research on farming systems in the humid and subhumid tropical zones to identify viable alternatives to shifting cultivation capable of maintaining productivity of food crops under continuous cultivation (14). The research efforts of the institute are organized into four programs. The three commodity-oriented research programs—the Cereals Improvement, the Grain Legume Improvement, and the Root and Tuber Improvement programs – provide improved planting materials that the scientists in the fourth program – the Farming Systems Program – use to develop land use systems capable of sustaining soil productivity as land and economic pressures accelerate the transition from shifting to continuous cultivation (13).

Identifying and developing maize germplasm with resistance to accumulation of aflatoxins

2015 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
W.P. Williams ◽  
M.D. Krakowsky ◽  
B.T. Scully ◽  
R.L. Brown ◽  
A. Menkir ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Science Research ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Research Unit ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Sources Of Resistance ◽  
Screening Assay ◽  
Maize Germplasm ◽  
Safety Research

Efforts to identify maize germplasm with resistance to Aspergillus flavus infection and subsequent accumulation of aflatoxins were initiated by the US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service at several locations in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Research units at four locations in the south-eastern USA are currently engaged in identification and development of maize germplasm with resistance to A. flavus infection and accumulation of aflatoxins. The Corn Host Plant Resistance Research Unit, Mississippi State, MS, developed procedures for screening germplasm for resistance to A. flavus infection and accumulation of aflatoxins. Mp313E, released in 1990, was the first line released as a source of resistance to A. flavus infection. Subsequently, germplasm lines Mp420, Mp715, Mp717, Mp718, and Mp719 were released as additional sources of resistance. Quantitative trait loci associated with resistance have also been identified in four bi-parental populations. The Crop Protection and Management Research Unit and Crop Genetics and Breeding Research Unit, Tifton, GA, created a breeding population GT-MAS:gk. GT601, GT602, and GT603 were developed from GT-MAS:gk. The Food and Feed Safety Research Unit, New Orleans, LA, in collaboration with the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture used a kernel screening assay to screen germplasm and develop six germplasm lines with resistance to aflatoxins. The Plant Science Research Unit, Raleigh, NC, through the Germplasm Enhancement of Maize (GEM) Project provides to co-operators diverse germplasm that is a valuable source of resistance to A. flavus infection and accumulation of aflatoxins in maize.

Genetic diversity of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) landraces and cultivars from southern, eastern and central Africa

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-181 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Kawuki ◽  
L. Herselman ◽  
M. T. Labuschagne ◽  
I. Nzuki ◽  
I. Ralimanana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Germplasm Conservation ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
International Institute ◽  
Manihot Esculenta Crantz ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Complex Relationships

Studies to quantify genetic variation in cassava germplasm, available within the national breeding programmes in Africa, have been limited. Here, we report on the nature and extent of genetic variation that exists within 1401 cassava varieties from seven countries: Tanzania (270 genotypes); Uganda (268); Kenya (234); Rwanda (184); Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC; 177); Madagascar (186); Mozambique (82). The vast majority of these genotypes do not exist within a formal germplasm conservation initiative and were derived from farmers' fields and National Agricultural Research Systems breeding programmes. Genotypes were assayed using 26 simple sequence repeat markers. Moderate genetic variation was observed with evidence of a genetic bottleneck in the region. Some differentiation was observed among countries in both cultivars and landraces. Euclidean distance revealed the pivotal position of Tanzanian landraces in the region, and STRUCTURE analysis revealed subtle and fairly complex relationships among cultivars and among landraces and cultivars analysed together. This is likely to reflect original germplasm introductions, gene flow including farmer exchanges, disease pandemics, past breeding programmes and the introduction of cultivars from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture – Nigeria. Information generated from this study will be useful to justify and guide a regional cassava genetic resource conservation strategy, to identify gaps in cassava diversity in the region and to guide breeding strategies.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document