scholarly journals Characterization of the Endophyte Mycobiome in Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculata) Using Illumina Sequencing

Author(s):  
Tonjock R. Kinge ◽  
S. Ghosh ◽  
Errol Cason ◽  
Marieka Gryzenhout

Abstract Cowpea is an important crop for small-scale farmers in poor areas, but is also being developed for commercial agriculture as a possible substitute for commercial legumes. Endophytic fungi are omnipresent and play crucial but diverse roles in plants. This study characterized the endophyte component of the cowpea mycobiome from leaves, main and crown stems, and roots using Illumina MiSeq of the ITS2 region of the ribosomal operon. Ascomycetes exhibited the highest diversity, with Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) assigned as Macrophomina, Cladosporium, Phoma, Fusarium and Cryptococcus, among the most dominant genera. The highest fungal species richness was found in roots followed by leaves. Certain MOTUS showed preferential colonization patterns for above or below ground tissues. Several MOTU generic groups known to include phytopathogenic species were found, with relative abundances ranging from high to very low. Phylogenetic analyses of reads for some MOTUs showed that a level of identification could be obtained to species level, while the absences of other species, including phytopathogens, could be shown. This is the first study that adopted a holistic metagenomic typing approach to study the fungal endophytes of cowpea, a crop that is so integral for low-income households of the world.

Author(s):  
Julio A. Benavides ◽  
Daniel G. Streicker ◽  
Milagros S. Gonzales ◽  
Elizabeth Rojas-Paniagua ◽  
Carlos Shiva

2021 ◽  
Vol 30 ◽  
pp. 46
Author(s):  
Huaiyu Wang ◽  
Dao The Anh ◽  
Paule Moustier

Origin labeling and quality upgrading through farmer organizations have been considered as solutions to reduce transaction costs and improve market bargaining power. This paper explores whether belonging to a farmer organization that improves and signals quality can help increase yields and household incomes of small-scale farmers for a specific quality product, Hoa Vang sticky rice in Vietnam. The paper is based on primary data on 185 households collected in 2013 and on 149 households collected in 2015. Different econometric methods were applied to investigate the effect based on rice yield, rice income and household income as the outcome variables. The results show that membership of farmer organization does not significantly improve household income compared to non-membership. However, members of farmer organizations have less resources in terms of land and inputs than non-members. These results suggest that the economic results achieved by farmers with fewer opportunities to access markets are similar to those obtained by farmers with more opportunities thanks to the involvement of farmer organizations in marketing. The specificities of the Hoa Vang sticky rice are still not reflected in higher farmer sales prices and incomes. More dialogue between farmer organizations and their customers is thus required, as well as better public control of labeling fraud.


Author(s):  
Wilson RT ◽  

Poultry production is an activity that is engaged in by a majority of traditional small-scale farmers around the world. The percentage of participants engaged in this enterprise exceeds all those participating in other forms of domestic livestock production. Domestic fowl (“chickens”) are overwhelmingly the main species around the globe world but at least eight other species of bird are reared with regional preferences for one or the other type. A multitude of breeds or varieties are present within species which provide a genetic resource of truly inestimable value and whose genes need to be conserved for posterity. Output of live birds, meat and eggs is low in the mainly extensive or semi-intensive production systems but input costs (labour, feed and medicines) are also low. Poultry contribute to poverty alleviation, household food security, create opportunities for employment and are an asset that can be rapidly converted to income. Women and children are often the principal beneficiaries of small-scale production both as managers and owners. Housing is often rudimentary, the mainly scavenged feed is of inadequate quantity and quality and health interventions are minimal except for vaccination against the plagues of Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza. Marketing of surplus birds or product sales is largely informal but the system is quite appropriate for the sector. Official policies relating to traditional production are often minimal. There are opportunities for improved production and thus for contributing to human welfare in training of owners in management and in improving nutrition and health of the birds.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 994
Author(s):  
Jiao Qin ◽  
Jing-Qiu Feng ◽  
Wei Zhang ◽  
Shi-Bao Zhang

Mycorrhizal mutualisms are vital for orchids through germination to adulthood. Fungal species diversity and community composition vary across seasons and plant development stages and affect plant survival, adaptation, and community maintenance. Knowledge of the temporal turnover of mycorrhizal fungi (OMF) remains poorly understood in the eco-physiologically diverse orchids (especially in epiphytic orchids), although it is important to understand the function and adaptation of mycorrhizae. Some species of Pleione are epiphytic plants with annual roots and may recruit different fungal partners during their root lifecycle. Based on continuous samplings of Pleione bulbocodioides during a whole root lifecycle, we characterized the fungal temporal dynamics using Illumina sequencing of the ITS2 region. Our data showed that the plants of P. bulbocodioides were quickly colonized by OMF at root emergence and had a constant OMF composition throughout one root lifecycle, although the OMF richness declined with root aging after a peak occurrence during root elongation. In contrast, the richness of root-inhabiting fungal endophytes kept increasing with root aging and more drastic turnovers were found in their species compositions. Our findings of OMF temporal turnover contribute to further understanding of mycorrhizal associations and adaptation of Orchidaceae and will benefit orchid resource conservation and utilization.


eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexis Delabouglise ◽  
Nguyen Thi Le Thanh ◽  
Huynh Thi Ai Xuyen ◽  
Benjamin Nguyen-Van-Yen ◽  
Phung Ngoc Tuyet ◽  
...  

Avian influenza outbreaks have been occurring on smallholder poultry farms in Asia for two decades. Farmer responses to these outbreaks can slow down or accelerate virus transmission. We used a longitudinal survey of 53 small-scale chicken farms in southern Vietnam to investigate the impact of outbreaks with disease-induced mortality on harvest rate, vaccination, and disinfection behaviors. We found that in small broiler flocks (≤16 birds/flock) the estimated probability of harvest was 56% higher when an outbreak occurred, and 214% higher if an outbreak with sudden deaths occurred in the same month. Vaccination and disinfection were strongly and positively correlated with the number of birds. Small-scale farmers – the overwhelming majority of poultry producers in low-income countries – tend to rely on rapid sale of birds to mitigate losses from diseases. As depopulated birds are sent to markets or trading networks, this reactive behavior has the potential to enhance onward transmission.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 443-461 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bruno Dyck ◽  
Bruno S. Silvestre

There are about 500 million small-scale farms in low-income countries on the planet. Farmers have been slow to adopt a threefold set of sustainable agronomic practices known as “conservation agriculture” (CA) that have been shown to double productivity. Our study of a novel CA project in Nicaragua, organized based on principles that counter convention, may point to improved ways of understanding and managing sustainable innovations in low-income countries. In particular, by connecting core ideas from the innovation literature to the literature that explores the role of intermediaries such as NGOs, our case study suggests that the efficacy of NGOs to facilitate the adoption of sustainable innovations by small-scale farmers in these settings may be enhanced if NGOs employ non-centrist approaches in order to address the critical uncertainties associated with such innovations. We discuss how our findings contradict some of long-standing arguments in the literature, and their implications for theory and practice.


2019 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Loretta Lees

Abstract Gentrification is no-longer, if it ever was, a small scale process of urban transformation. Gentrification globally is more often practised as large scale urban redevelopment. It is state-led or state-induced. The results are clear – the displacement and disenfranchisement of low income groups in favour of wealthier in-movers. So, why has gentrification come to dominate policy making worldwide and what can be done about it?


HortScience ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 530a-530
Author(s):  
Brad Bergefurd ◽  
Gary Gao

Speciality crops are great alternative cash crops for small scale farmers. Small scale farmers are constantly searching for viable economic crops to grow. We have been conducting applied research on the production and marketing of culinary herbs, oriental vegetables, colored peppers, and muskmelons to name a few. These crops show excellent potential for southern Ohio. Field demonstration, seminars, and surveys were used to gather and disseminate information on these speciality crops. More than 230 people attended our seminars on alternative cash crops. More than 150 people attended our field days. In addition, we had identified many chefs that are willing to purchase from local speciality crop growers. It will be a win-win situation for both chefs and growers. Growers will be able to maximize their profitability while chefs will receive fresh and unique produce. As a result of our research, we were able to show small scale growers what they can grow successfully and how they can market their crops for most profit. These applied research projects received a combined funding of $10000.00 from OSU Extension-Innovative Grant program. These projects are a great way to establish credibility among clients. We would also like to demonstrate how other extension agents can help their clients. A lecture utilizing slides and overhead transparencies will be the format of the seminar.


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