scholarly journals Role of honeybees in horticultural crop productivity enhancement

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (AAEBSSD) ◽  
pp. 348-355
Author(s):  
Udit Joshi ◽  
Kiran Kothiyal ◽  
Yogesh Kumar ◽  
Rajendra Bhatt
Keyword(s):  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Living Organism ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security ◽  
And Function

Pollination is vital to conserve the planet’s vast wealth of biodiversity.The pollinator is a living organism transporting pollen grains from the male part to the flower’s fertilizing stigma.Fruit and seed set mainly in cross-pollinated crops dependon honeybees since their bodily parts have been engineered to capture the most pollen grains possible andhavea rapid reproductive rate. Insects are responsible for about 80% of all pollination activity, with bees accounting for over 80% of all insect pollination.Every day, a given bee colony may pollinate about 300 million flowers.Honey bees are considered the finest pollinators among all that contribute to pollination and generate honey and other hive products that add to farm income. The benefits of growing crops yield much more than the income generated by selling honey and other products.Many studies also demonstrate that pesticide application became a significant issue in most crops and antagonistically influence the honey bee population. Hence, great care must be taken to safeguard insect pollinators, particularly honey bees, against pesticide poisoning.The importance of pollinator species richness in their natural environment and function in crop improvement must be recognized. This review provides a broad overview of pollination difficulties that farmers face and an explanation of the importance of pollination in boosting food and nutritional security by improving the productivity of horticultural crops.

Breeding for cuticle-associated traits in crop species: traits, targets, and strategies

2017 ◽  
Vol 68 (19) ◽  
pp. 5369-5387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johann Petit ◽  
Cécile Bres ◽  
Jean-Philippe Mauxion ◽  
Bénédicte Bakan ◽  
Christophe Rothan
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Water Loss ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Species Traits ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Crop Breeding ◽  
Crop Species ◽  
Horticultural Crops ◽  
Cuticle Formation

Abstract Improving crop productivity and quality while promoting sustainable agriculture have become major goals in plant breeding. The cuticle is a natural film covering the aerial organs of plants and consists of lipid polyesters covered and embedded with wax. The cuticle protects plants against water loss and pathogens and affects traits with strong impacts on crop quality such as, for horticultural crops, fruit brightness, cracking, russeting, netting, and shelf life. Here we provide an overview of the most important cuticle-associated traits that can be targeted for crop improvement. To date, most studies on cuticle-associated traits aimed at crop breeding have been done on fleshy fruits. Less information is available for staple crops such as rice, wheat or maize. Here we present new insights into cuticle formation and properties resulting from the study of genetic resources available for the various crop species. Our review also covers the current strategies and tools aimed at exploiting available natural and artificially induced genetic diversity and the technologies used to transfer the beneficial alleles affecting cuticle-associated traits to commercial varieties.

scholarly journals Zinc Status in the Soils of Karnataka and Response of Horticultural Crops to Zinc Application : A Meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-108
Author(s):  
Ganeshamurthy A N ◽  
Rajendiran S ◽  
Kalaivanan D ◽  
Rupa T R
Keyword(s):  
Zinc Deficiency ◽  
Soil Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Yield Response ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Zn Deficiency ◽  
Sustainable Solutions ◽  
Horticultural Crops

Zinc is considered as the fourth important yield limiting nutrient in India, after N, P, and K. From the regular soil analysis data, Indian soils (50%) are found to be deficient in Zn and the zinc deficiency is likely to increase in future. Areas with low soil available Zn are often regions with widespread zinc deficiency in humans. Zinc malnutrition and deficiency in human is alarming and is gaining attention in recent years. Application of zinc to soil and crops is one of the simple and easiest ways to mitigate or alleviate Zn deficiency in human. Moreover Zn uptake, its translocation and yield response of various crops to applied Zn are need to be focused for finding sustainable solutions to the problem of zinc deficiency in crops and humans. In this manuscript, importance of Zn to plants and human, Zn malnutrition problems in India and global level, soil Zn status of Karnataka, various factors that responsible for Zn deficiency in the soils of Karnataka and the response of various horticultural crops to Zn application in the region is discussed. Soil maps are believed to be an important tool to delineate and manage nutrient deficient areas. It also elaborates the effective Zn management strategies to improve crop productivity and farm income.

Coordinated Rice Improvement Project in India: Its Significant Achievements and Future prospects

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (Special) ◽  
pp. 82-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
LV Subba Rao ◽  
RA Fiyaz ◽  
AK Jukanti ◽  
G Padmavathi ◽  
J Badri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management Practices ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
High Yield ◽  
Improvement Project ◽  
Nutritional Security ◽  
Food Grain ◽  
Rice Improvement ◽  
Food And Nutritional Security ◽  
Sincere Effort

India is the second largest producer of rice in the world and it is the most important staple food grain. All India Coordinated Rice Improvement Project (AICRIP) was initiated with objective of conducting multi-location trials to identify suitable genotypes of high yield potential along with appropriate crop management practices. Since its inception AICRIP contributed significantly in meeting the growing demand both within and outside India. Significant progress has been achieved through AICRIP in terms of varietal release thereby increasing the crop productivity and also meeting the food and nutritional security. This paper makes a sincere effort in bringing out the significant achievements/milestones achieved under the AICRIP program and also gives a few directions for widening the areas under AICRIP.

scholarly journals Tackling G × E × M interactions to close on-farm yield-gaps: creating novel pathways for crop improvement by predicting contributions of genetics and management to crop productivity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Cooper ◽  
Kai P. Voss-Fels ◽  
Carlos D. Messina ◽  
Tom Tang ◽  
Graeme L. Hammer
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Global Food Security ◽  
Genotype By Environment ◽  
Improvement Strategies ◽  
Yield Gaps ◽  
On Farm

Abstract Key message Climate change and Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management interactions together challenge our strategies for crop improvement. Research to advance prediction methods for breeding and agronomy is opening new opportunities to tackle these challenges and overcome on-farm crop productivity yield-gaps through design of responsive crop improvement strategies. Abstract Genotype-by-Environment-by-Management (G × E × M) interactions underpin many aspects of crop productivity. An important question for crop improvement is “How can breeders and agronomists effectively explore the diverse opportunities within the high dimensionality of the complex G × E × M factorial to achieve sustainable improvements in crop productivity?” Whenever G × E × M interactions make important contributions to attainment of crop productivity, we should consider how to design crop improvement strategies that can explore the potential space of G × E × M possibilities, reveal the interesting Genotype–Management (G–M) technology opportunities for the Target Population of Environments (TPE), and enable the practical exploitation of the associated improved levels of crop productivity under on-farm conditions. Climate change adds additional layers of complexity and uncertainty to this challenge, by introducing directional changes in the environmental dimension of the G × E × M factorial. These directional changes have the potential to create further conditional changes in the contributions of the genetic and management dimensions to future crop productivity. Therefore, in the presence of G × E × M interactions and climate change, the challenge for both breeders and agronomists is to co-design new G–M technologies for a non-stationary TPE. Understanding these conditional changes in crop productivity through the relevant sciences for each dimension, Genotype, Environment, and Management, creates opportunities to predict novel G–M technology combinations suitable to achieve sustainable crop productivity and global food security targets for the likely climate change scenarios. Here we consider critical foundations required for any prediction framework that aims to move us from the current unprepared state of describing G × E × M outcomes to a future responsive state equipped to predict the crop productivity consequences of G–M technology combinations for the range of environmental conditions expected for a complex, non-stationary TPE under the influences of climate change.

Crop Productivity Enhancement under Soybean Based Cropping System through Harvested Rain Water in Malwa Region

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
D.H. Ranade ◽  
M.L. Jadav ◽  
Indu Swarup ◽  
O.P. Girothia ◽  
D.V. Bhagat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Availability ◽  
Irrigation Water ◽  
Sweet Corn ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Cropping System ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Cropping Pattern ◽  
Water Harvesting ◽  
Net Return

Background: Rainwater harvesting is commonly practiced in areas, where the rainfall is insufficient for crop growing. Due to the intermittent nature of run-off events, it is necessary to store the maximum possible amount of rainwater during the rainy season so that it may be used as irrigation to enhance the crop productivity and farm income under soybean based cropping system.Methods: A study was carried out during 2018-2019 in Indore district of Malwa region. Rainwater harvesting tanks at on station (42´21´2.4m) and on farm (15´11´4m) were constructed for irrigation water availability. Provision of water harvesting tank increased the irrigation water availability (1781m3 and 630m3 respectively) and stored water was managed through various irrigation systems viz. rain gun, drip and flood.Result: It was resulted that the provision of water harvesting tanks enhanced the crop productivity and farm income under soybean based cropping system. Availability of irrigation encouraged the farmers to diversify the cropping pattern (soybean-chickpea, soybean -wheat). It is also clear from the study that even with smaller storage tank and through conjunctive use of ground (1164.2m3) and surface water (596m3), multiple crops (Soybean, potato, sweet corn, chickpea, onion, garlic etc.) can be grown. Soybean-Chickpea cropping system at station gave the net return of 70976 Rs/ha with B: C ratio of 3.15. Soybean-Wheat cropping system at farm gave the net return of 119000 Rs/ha with B:C ratio of 3.38. 

Cytological identification of some trisomics of Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea)

Genome ◽  
1995 ◽  
Vol 38 (6) ◽  
pp. 1271-1278 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun-Zhi Wei ◽  
W. F. Campbell ◽  
G. J. Scoles ◽  
A. E. Slinkard ◽  
R. Ruey-Chyi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Diploid Species ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Cereal Crop ◽  
Banding Patterns ◽  
C Banding ◽  
Psathyrostachys Juncea ◽  
Double Deletion ◽  
Russian Wildrye

Russian wildrye, Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski (2n = 2x = 14; NsNs), is an important forage grass and a potential source of germplasm for cereal crop improvement. Because of genetic heterogeneity as a result of its self-incompatibility, it is difficult to identify trisomics of this diploid species based on morphological characters alone. Putative trisomies (2n = 2x + 1 = 15), derived from open pollination of a triploid plant by pollen grains of diploid plants, were characterized by Giemsa C-banding. Based on both karyotypic criteria and C-banding patterns, four of the seven possible primary trisomics, a double-deletion trisomic, and two tertiary trisomics were identified.Key words: Russian wildrye, Psathyrostachys juncea, trisomic, C-banding, karyotype.

scholarly journals Legume biology: the basis for crop improvement

2013 ◽  
Vol 40 (12) ◽  
pp. v ◽  
Author(s):  
Rajeev K. Varshney ◽  
Himabindu Kudapa
Keyword(s):  
Target Genes ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Systematic Research ◽  
Breeding Programs ◽  
Biotic Stresses ◽  
Legume Crop ◽  
Precise Understanding

Legumes represent the most valued food sources in agriculture after cereals. Despite the advances made in breeding food legumes, there is a need to develop and further improve legume productivity to meet increasing food demand worldwide. Several biotic and abiotic stresses affect legume crop productivity throughout the world. The study of legume genetics, genomics and biology are all important in order to understand the limitations of yield of legume crops and to support our legume breeding programs. With the advent of huge genomic resources and modern technologies, legume research can be directed towards precise understanding of the target genes responsible for controlling important traits for yield potential, and for resistance to abiotic and biotic stresses. Programmed and systematic research will lead to developing high yielding, stress tolerant and early maturing varieties. This issue of Functional Plant Biology is dedicated to ‘Legume Biology’ research covering part of the work presented at VI International Conference on Legume Genetics and Genomics held at Hyderabad, India, in 2012. The 13 contributions cover recent advances in legume research in the context of plant architecture and trait mapping, functional genomics, biotic stress and abiotic stress.

scholarly journals Genetic contributions to agricultural sustainability

2007 ◽  
Vol 363 (1491) ◽  
pp. 591-609 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth S Dennis ◽  
Jeffrey Ellis ◽  
Allan Green ◽  
Danny Llewellyn ◽  
Matthew Morell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Technologies ◽  
Crop Improvement ◽  
Breeding Population ◽  
Plant Genome ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Phases Of Development ◽  
New Varieties ◽  
And Function ◽  
Genetic Contributions

The current tools of enquiry into the structure and operation of the plant genome have provided us with an understanding of plant development and function far beyond the state of knowledge that we had previously. We know about key genetic controls repressing or stimulating the cascades of gene expression that move a plant through stages in its life cycle, facilitating the morphogenesis of vegetative and reproductive tissues and organs. The new technologies are enabling the identification of key gene activity responses to the range of biotic and abiotic challenges experienced by plants. In the past, plant breeders produced new varieties with changes in the phases of development, modifications of plant architecture and improved levels of tolerance and resistance to environmental and biotic challenges by identifying the required phenotypes in a few plants among the large numbers of plants in a breeding population. Now our increased knowledge and powerful gene sequence-based diagnostics provide plant breeders with more precise selection objectives and assays to operate in rationally planned crop improvement programmes. We can expect yield potential to increase and harvested product quality portfolios to better fit an increasing diversity of market requirements. The new genetics will connect agriculture to sectors beyond the food, feed and fibre industries; agri-business will contribute to public health and will provide high-value products to the pharmaceutical industry as well as to industries previously based on petroleum feedstocks and chemical modification processes.

The function and ecological significance of the pharyngeal ridges occurring in the larvae of some cyclorrhaphous Diptera

Parasitology ◽  
1967 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 371-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valerie M. Dowding
Keyword(s):  
Nutritive Value ◽  
Agricultural Research ◽  
Pollen Grains ◽  
Particulate Material ◽  
Calliphora Vicina ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Spores And Pollen ◽  
Agricultural Research Council ◽  
Living Material ◽  
And Function

The anatomy and function of the pharyngeal ridges, which occur in the larvae of saprophagous Cyclorrhapha but are generally absent in biontophagous forms, were investigated.The ridges extend throughout the length of the ventral aspect of the pharynx and lie in an evagination of its floor. They enclose channels which narrow and disappear posteriorly but are open anteriorly. Each ridge consists of a longitudinal plate projecting dorsally from the floor of the pharynx, the bifurcated upper edge of the plate bears, one on each side, a row of lateral lamellae, each about 0·3 μm thick. They are set vertically at regular intervals of just less than 1 μm. The lateral lamellae of adjacent ridges are closely apposed and completely roof over the channels between the ridges. Anteriorly the upper arms of the ridges are fused together.The lamellae form a sieve which retains particles of 0·6 μm and above in size as the relaxation of the pharyngeal dilator muscles allows the roof to descend so forcing liquid downward between the lamellae. In Calliphora vicina (Syn. C. erythrocephala) the sieve concentrates a suspension of 2700 particles of 4–7 μm per mm3 between five and six times. The natural food consists largely of bacteria.Fungus spores and pollen grains of selected sizes were used to demonstrate the movements of particulate material in the pharynx and to define the upper size limit of the particles ingested.Swallowing is effected by simultaneous relaxation of the anterior dilator and transverse muscles of the pharynx, with contraction of the posterior dilator muscles; the transverse muscles are otherwise maintained in a state of contraction closing the posterior exit from the pharynx.Starved third-instar larvae of C. vicina can ingest 50% of their body weight in 6 min.The larvae of the Cyclorrhapha which possess pharyngeal ridges are essentially particle feeders. The ridges form a sieve by means of which food is concentrated and the amount of non-nutritious liquid ingested is reduced. The lack of pharyngeal ridges in larvae feeding on living material is correlated with the constant and high nutritive value of both the solid and the liquid fractions of the food.I should like to thank Dr P. Tate for his help and encouragement during the course of this work which was carried out during the tenure of a Postgraduate Studentship awarded by the Agricultural Research Council. Thanks are also due to the staff of the Plant Pathology subdepartment of the Botany School, Cambridge, for their help in obtaining fungus spores of suitable sizes.

Integrated animal and cropping systems in single and multi-objective frameworks for enhancing the livelihood security of farmers and agricultural sustainability in Northern India

2015 ◽  
Vol 55 (10) ◽  
pp. 1338 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. K. Behera ◽  
H. Kaechele ◽  
J. France
Keyword(s):  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Crop Productivity ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Livelihood Security ◽  
Multi Objective ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Integrated Farming Systems ◽  
Insight Into

Fast degrading and declining land, water availability, biodiversity, environment and other natural resources, together with shrinking farm returns and reduced crop productivity caused by continuous and intensive cultivation of rice-wheat systems, necessitate diversification of farming in Northern India. Integrated farming systems (IFS) involving animals (livestock, fish, etc.) and cropping (cereals, trees, etc.) are recognised as an alternative for preserving ecosystems and enhancing livelihood security. A study was therefore undertaken under Northern Indian conditions to develop IFS models for various sizes of farm and to compare these models with the existing rice-wheat system for sustainability and profitability. The IFS models were developed in single objective (using linear programming) and multi-objective (using compromise programming) frameworks. Multi-objective analysis provides deeper insight into the problem as it caters directly for the multi-faceted needs of the farmers. These parallel methodologies offer a novel approach to modelling IFS to draw different farming scenarios for comparison. The IFS strategies developed show the potential to generate a greater farm income than with existing rice-wheat cropping for all sizes of farm. The study revealed that IFS offer more perspectives for an economically viable and sustainable agriculture for typical farms in Northern India.

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