Usages of Mobile Application Developed by Krishi Vigyan Kendra Banavasi

A survey was conducted to assess the impact of mobile applications developed by theKrishiVigyan Kendra Banavasi with 150 farmers in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh inthe year 2020. KVK Banavasi developed three mobile applications namely ANGRAU-ATARI CFLD, ANGRAU Pashu Poshan and Fertilizer Calculator for benefiting farmingcommunity. Majority (64.67%) of the respondents were found in medium usage of mobileapplications, in agriculture. Fertilizer Calculator mobile application was found highest usage(74.50%) among the farmers when compared with other two applications. ANGRAUATATRI CFLD application was used by an average of 46.83 per cent farmers forinformation on new improved varieties, 75 % for control measures of pest and diseasesand 29 per cent for market related information. ANGRAU Pashu Poshan application wasused by 75 per cent livestock farmers for sheep management, 56 per cent for cattlemanagement and 45 per cent for poultry related information. Fertilizer calculator applicationwas used by 80 per cent farmers for recommended dose of fertilizers and 10 per cent forsoil test based fertilizer application.

Inter-varietal sterility and fertility restoration in Oryza sativa Linn.

This study explored the underlining reproductive factors that cause sterility in rice, using hybrids obtained from crosses among landrace selections and improved varieties. The study was carried out between 2016 and 2018. Nine landrace cultivars and two improved varieties were involved in the hybridization experiment. Among the 17 putative hybrids that were obtained, only 5 were confirmed as true hybrids. Meiotic chromosome studies and pollen studies in the F1, and Mendelian segregation studies for fertility in the F2 were carried out. Some F2 lines were monitored to F3 to ascertain the level of fixation of gene combinations for fertility. The results obtained from the chromosomal studies showed that phenomena such as laggards, precocious movements, formation of multivalents, and unequal segregation to the poles are associated with pollen sterility in all - 5 hybrids, at the F1 and F2 generations. The indehiscence of anthers contributed to infertility due to pollen shortage than the fertility of the pollens themselves. Even though in males, there is a preponderance of male sterility, female sterility is also a phenomenon that is possibly contributing to inter-varietal sterility. The segregational pattern of 13:3 was observed for fertility in the F2 which suggests the inhibition of fertility by a gene in the dominant state. There was the restoration of fertility in many of the lines advanced to the F3 to up to 93 % fertility. It was, therefore, concluded from the study that landraces of rice still hold the key for the rice crop improvement and should therefore be conserved.

SSR MARKERS REVEALED GENETIC DIVERGENCE OF RICE BROWN PLANTHOPPER POPULATIONS MAINTAINED ON TWO SETS OF DIFFERENTIAL HOST VARIETIES

<p>Resistance screening of promising rice lines in Indonesia requires the use of brown planthopper (BPH) biotypes 1, 2, and 3. Three BPH populations have been raised as biotypes 1, 2, and 3 on differential rice host of improved varieties Pelita I-1 (no <em>Bph </em>gene), IR26 (<em>Bph1</em>), and IR42 (<em>bph2</em>), respectively. Three alternative populations have also been developed on the respective traditional varieties TN1 (no <em>Bph </em>gene), Mudgo (<em>Bph1</em>), and ASD7 (<em>bph2</em>). Although these populations displayed two virulent patterns other than biotype 1 to 3 phenotypes, they were expected to be discriminated into two virulence groups by SSR analysis. The study aimed to investigate the level of genetic variation among the six BPH populations using SSR markers and to relate it with the observed virulence patterns. Genotyping of 30 females with 29 polymorphic SSR markers revealed higher genetic parameter values in populations reared on improved varieties than those on traditional varieties. This difference was marked as two population clusters in PCoA plots corresponding to the host variety type, in contrast to the previous assumption that clustering would be based on virulence patterns. The presence of individuals with unwanted virulence allele, either resulting from contamination during the long period of rearing or lack of host adaptation period, is suspected. The result of this study indicates that the six populations are not suitable for resistance screening. Virulence selection must be performed until they attain biotype 1 to 3 phenotypes which can be genetically separated by DNA markers.</p>

Evaluation and participatory variety selection of improved highland sorghum varieties for smallholder farm at west hararghe zone

Participatory variety selection is the most important breeding program which enhanced the adoption of improved varieties through creating awareness based on smallholder farmers’ selection criteria. Several different improved sorghum varieties are released at different international and national research institutions at different times, however, the technologies were not properly addressed the farmers based on participatory, client oriented and demand driven. The experiment was carried out in West Hararghe Zone; Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia with the objective to identify and recommend the best adapted and performed improved sorghum varieties with farmers’ preference traits through continuous performance evaluation at different stages of the sorghum. A total of six sorghum varieties were evaluated in randomized complete block design in the 2019 main cropping season. Farmers have evaluated the entire experimental units using different statistical tools like direct-matrix and pair-wise ranking algorithms at maturity stage. Farmers set selection criteria to identify the superior improved varieties as compared to the local check by listing different agronomic traits like yield, biomass, seed color, seed size and biotic and abiotic resistance. The analysis of variance showed that there was highly significant difference (p<0.01) among the genotypes for all studied traits. The greatest grain yield was recorded from the variety Dibaba (11325 Kgha-1) and Jiru (10200 Kgha-1) respectively. Likewise, based on the overall farmer’s preference, Dibaba and Jiru were ranked first and second and followed by Adelle, ETS2752 and Chiro respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that participatory varietal selection is playing decisive role in gathering farmers’ perceptions, preferences, merits and shortcomings of sorghum varieties for future improvement. Hence, based on the result of the study, variety Dibaba and Jiru were recommended for multiplication and distribution to farmers through both formal and informal seed systems. Generally, the integration of plant breeders and farmers’ perceptions are used to increase the adoption rate and design a good breeding program for future improvement.

Response of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) Varieties to Blended Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Sulfur Fertilizer Rate at Kokate, Southern Region

Low production and productivity of potato in Ethiopia is associated with poor soil fertility and limitation of high yielding crop variety. Matching high yielding cultivar with optimum fertilization of balanced nutrients is of paramount important to boost tuber yield of potato. Hence, a field experiment was conducted during 2019/20 cropping season at Kokate testing site of Areka Agricultural Research Center in southern Ethiopia in order to evaluate the response of potato varieties to NPS fertilizer rates. Treatments used in the study were two improved varieties of potato (Gudane and Belete) one local cultivar with six rates of blended NPS (0, 50, 100, 150, 200 and 250 kg/ha NPS) combined in factorial and laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. As this investigation indicated that at all rates of NPS fertilizer, improved varieties out yielded the local cultivar Asmara with relative superiority of variety Belete for marketable tuber yield. Economic analysis revealed that the highest net benefit of 276326 Birr/ha with marginal rate of return (MRR) 3762% was obtained from variety Belete at NPS fertilizer rate of 200 kg/ha followed by variety Gudane at the same fertilizer rate with net benefit of 270350 Birr/ha and MRR of 3372%. Based on this finding, varieties Belete and Gudane could be used for production at NPS fertilizer rate of 200 kg/ha near study area and similar agro-ecologies.

Soybean in Indonesia: Current Status, Challenges and Opportunities to Achieve Self-Sufficiency

Soybean is the third important food crop in Indonesia after rice and maize, particularly as a good source of protein. The demand for soybean consumption tends to increase annually. In 2020, the figure was about 3.28 million tons, while the domestic production was 0.63 million tons, thus around 81% of the soybean needed was imported. Efforts to increase the domestic soybean production have been conducted since the last decade, which is concerned with increasing the current productivity (1.5 t/ha) through introducing the high-yielding improved varieties and extending the harvested area, particularly to outside of Java. The potential planting area is focused on the irrigated lowland after rice (optimal land) and suboptimal lands (dry, acid, tidal, and shaded lands). The series of the study showed that the yield potential of soybean grown in such lands varied from 1.8 t/ha to 3.0 t/ha. A number of soybeans improved varieties adapted to different land types or agro-ecological conditions also have been released and supported with advanced cultivation technology. The results, challenges, and opportunities to achieve soybean self-sufficiency are discussed in this paper.

Translational Chickpea Genomics Consortium to Accelerate Genetic Gains in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

The Translational Chickpea Genomics Consortium (TCGC) was set up to increase the production and productivity of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). It represents research institutes from six major chickpea growing states (Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh) of India. The TCGC team has been engaged in deploying modern genomics approaches in breeding and popularizing improved varieties in farmers’ fields across the states. Using marker-assisted backcrossing, introgression lines with enhanced drought tolerance and fusarium wilt resistance have been developed in the genetic background of 10 elite varieties of chickpea. Multi-location evaluation of 100 improved lines (70 desi and 30 kabuli) during 2016–2017 and 2018–2019 enabled the identification of top performing desi and kabuli lines. In total, 909 Farmer Participatory Varietal Selection trials were conducted in 158 villages in 16 districts of the five states, during 2017–2018, 2018–2019, and 2019–2020, involving 16 improved varieties. New molecular breeding lines developed in different genetic backgrounds are potential candidates for national trials under the ICAR-All India Coordinated Research Project on Chickpea. The comprehensive efforts of TCGC resulted in the development and adoption of high-yielding varieties that will increase chickpea productivity and the profitability of chickpea growing farmers.

Contextualizing private sector-based seed system development: The case of sorghum in Eastern Africa

Private sector-based seed system development remains a key development intervention in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seed system interventions promoting the adoption of improved varieties through the private sector generally follow a linear, market-oriented technological adoption logic. A qualitative case study of the sorghum seed system in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania demonstrates that this model may not be able to drive the broad-scale adoption of improved sorghum varieties and to generate significant benefits for small sorghum-farming households. The findings suggest that the agro-ecological, social, and political-economic contexts critically determine the role improved varieties and the private sector can play in rural development. Improved sorghum varieties promoted by both the public and private sectors may not suit the needs, preferences and contexts of farming households. Seed companies hold sorghum as an add-on in their portfolio, investing less resources and research into sorghum compared to more profitable crops such as vegetable and maize seeds. Significant political-economic obstacles exist that favor the support of cash crops such as maize and rice, limiting the growth and development of the private sector in the sorghum seed system. We conclude that future interventions should build on approaches that aim to develop more diverse channels of seed delivery in both the formal and informal seed systems, adopt a livelihoods perspective to evaluate the costs, benefits, and risks associated with the adoption of new technologies, and acknowledge that seed system interventions are only one out of a portfolio of interventions to generate rural development.

Analysis of rice farming using new superior varieties in swamp lands in Mesuji District, Lampung

This study aims to analyze rice farming using several superior varieties of rice in the swamps of Mesuji District, Lampung Province. The study was conducted on PT-1/MH December 2020/January 2021 in Tanjung Mas Jaya Village, Mesuji Timur District, Mesuji District, Lampung Province. The superior varieties of rice grown by Cilamaya Muncul, Inpara-2, Inpara-8, Inpari IR Nutrizinc, Mapan, Supadi and Kebo. Each variety is planted by one farmer with an area of about 1 ha. The analysis was carried out descriptively comparing the revenues and costs used. The results of the study show that rice production ranges from 7,573-10,400 t/ha, with an average rice productivity of 9,243 t/ha. Contribution to the cost of using production facilities occupies 28.77% - 45.52% of the total production cost, while the cost of using labor is 54.48% -71.23% of the total production cost. Rice farming in the swamps of Mesuji area with the use of six superior varieties of rice is still profitable with R/C ratio ranging from 3.48 to 4.63. In the future, for efficient farming, the implementation of technological innovations, especially the choice of suitable (adaptive) improved varieties of rice, is very important to consider.

The performance of the distribution and use of improved varieties of rice in West Java Province

West Java Province is one of the centers of rice production in Indonesia. The use of improved varieties continues to be pursued to support the increase in production. This study aims to analyze the performance and problems of distribution and the use of improved varieties in rice farming. The study was conducted in Majalengka and Cianjur Districts in 2020. The study sample consisted of 60 rice farmers and research-related institutions. Data analysis was carried out quantitatively by calculating the percentage of the distribution area and qualitatively descriptive. The results of the study show that in Cianjur District, from a total distribution area of 154,075 ha (in 2019), the distribution area of Ciherang and Mekongga varieties is 36.46% and 35.88%, respectively. While in Majalengka District, on the contrary, from the total area of 127,957 ha, the distribution of new improved varieties was more dominant, namely for Inpari 32 and Inpari 43 at 67.25% and 7.28%, respectively. Problems faced in the spread of new improved rice varieties include limited availability of seeds, limited demonstration plot activities, and resistance of varieties to pests and diseases. In rice farming activities in the study area, new high-yielding varieties produce relatively higher productivity compared to old improved varieties. In order to increase the spread of new improved varieties of rice, it is necessary to provide adequate seed support, description of the improvedity of improved seeds, demonstration plots, as well as support for government policies and programs for the development of new improved varieties.