publication
The primal garden: Tajikistan as a biodiversity hotspot of food crop wild relatives
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/126300
Abstract
Despite being located within a primary region of crop diversity, documentation of Tajik crop and crop wild relative (CWR) resources is far from comprehensive, particularly regarding CWR. Here, we compile the first inventory of food CWR of Tajikistan. A total of 549 food CWR taxa belonging to 36 families and 125 genera were documented as occurring in the country. Among them, 71 taxa were recognized as native…
publication
Opportunities for orphan crops: Expected economic benefits from biotechnology
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/120346
Abstract
An enabling, evidence-based decision-making framework is critical to support agricultural biotechnology innovation, and to ensure farmers’ access to genetically modified (GM) crops, including orphan crop varieties. A key element, and often a challenge in the decision-making process, involves the balancing of identified potential risks with expected economic benefits from GM crops. The latter is particularly…
publication
Biofortification to avoid malnutrition in humans in a changing climate: Enhancing micronutrient bioavailability in seed, tuber, and storage roots
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128434
Abstract
Malnutrition results in enormous socio-economic costs to the individual, their community, and the nation’s economy. The evidence suggests an overall negative impact of climate change on the agricultural productivity and nutritional quality of food crops. Producing more food with better nutritional quality, which is feasible, should be prioritized…
publication
The value of local ecological knowledge to guide tree species selection in tropical dry forest restoration
Bioversity-CIAT Alliance (Bioversity-CIAT Alliance)
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/111118
Abstract
Forest restoration projects involving active planting should prioritize species that are useful to local communities, while also considering species' threat status and resistance to local stress factors, but scientific knowledge on these criteria is scarce, especially in understudied tropical ecosystems. We…
publication
Genetic diversity and candidate genes for transient waterlogging tolerance in mungbean at the germination and seedling stages
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/170218
Abstract
Mungbean [ Vigna radiata var. radiata (L.) Wilczek] production in Asia is detrimentally affected by transient soil waterlogging caused by unseasonal and increasingly frequent extreme precipitation events. While mungbean exhibits sensitivity to waterlogging, there has been insufficient exploration of germplasm for waterlogging tolerance, as well as limited…
publication
Video based deep learning deciphers honeybee waggle dances in natural conditions
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177838
Abstract
Urbanization and industrial agriculture are a threat to wild and managed honey-bees, crucial pollinators of the natural- and agro-ecosystems components of the landscapes. Understanding bee colonies’ foraging behaviors within these landscapes is essential for managing human-bee conflicts and sustaining their vital pollination services. Objectives To understand how bees use their surroundings, researchers often…
publication
Productivity of newly released common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) varieties under sole cropping and intercropping with maize (Zea mays L.)
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/115991
Abstract
Intercropping maize (Zea mays L.) with common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is one of the predominant farming practices in eastern and southern Africa (ESA) for effective use of resources and continuous household food supply. The productivity of sole or intercropped crops is subject to variety, location, year, and their interaction. Therefore, the…
publication
Tackling gender inequality in community-based organizations: The contribution of cacao cooperatives to environmental justice for women in Peru
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/139560
Abstract
Persistent gender inequalities challenge theory and praxis of community-based collective action. Here we adopt an innovative approach which integrates environmental justice, value chain inclusion and collective action theory to diagnose inequalities in community- based organizations (CBOs) and identify strategies to address them. Drawing on the…
publication
Understanding gendered trait preferences: Implications for client-responsive breeding programs
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/121073
Abstract
Client-responsiveness is a foundation for effectiveness of public sector breeding programs in agriculture, aquaculture and livestock. However, there remains a considerable lack of clarity about what this means, specifically in terms of how programs can be gender-responsive. This study contributes to addressing that need. It does so through sharing higher-level insights emerging from the combined…
publication
Transformation of coffee-growing landscapes across Latin America. A review
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/114935
Abstract
In Latin America, the cultivation of Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) plays a critical role in rural livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. Over the last 20 years, coffee farms and landscapes across the region have undergone rapid and profound biophysical changes in response to low coffee prices, changing climatic conditions, severe plant pathogen outbreaks, and other drivers. Although…
publication
Enabling cumulative learning in user-oriented research for root, tuber and banana crop breeding
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/126395
Abstract
User-oriented research is important in breeding improved genotypes, for developing and validating product concepts (mostly involving trait prioritisation), as well as evaluating breeding products in use situations (mostly involving participatory variety evaluation). This paper examines key aspects that enable cumulative learning in user-oriented research for root, tuber and banana (RTB) crop…
publication
Gender empowerment and parity in East Africa: evidence from climate-smart agriculture in Ethiopia and Kenya
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/126510
Abstract
The aim of this study is to understand the role of climate-smart villages (CSVs) in promoting genderempowerment and equality in East Africa. This paper uses data collected from 280 and 305 randomlyselected farm household heads in Doyogena (Ethiopia) and Nyando (Kenya), respectively. To analysethe data, the gender empowerment index for climate resilient agriculture (GEI-CRA) and the…
publication
Haplotype-resolved genome assembly of Musella lasiocarpa reveals the critical role of structural variations in chromosomal and genome evolution
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/181214
Abstract
Musella lasiocarpa (MLA, 2n = 18, Musaceae) is an endangered species native to south-western China. We assembled its haplotype-resolved, telomere-to-telomere genomes with a genome size of 503.6 Mb consisting of 52.8% repetitive DNA. A 134 bp tandem repeat, Mlcen, was identified at all centromeres, and telomere sequences were present at 30 of 36…
publication
One CGIAR and the Integrated Agri-food Systems Initiative: From short-termism to transformation of the world’s food systems
Bioversity-CIAT Alliance (Bioversity-CIAT Alliance)
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/113922
Abstract
Agri-food systems are besieged by malnutrition, yield gaps, and climate vulnerability, but integrated, research-based responses in public policy, agricultural, value chains, and finance are constrained by short-termism and zero sum thinking. As they respond to current and emerging agri-food system…
publication
Accelerated breeding modernization: a global blueprint for driving genetic gains, climate resilience, and food security in rice
https://hdl.handle.net/10568/178847
Abstract
Rice plays a central role in global food security as climate threats continue to rise. Fast-tracking genetic gains and developing climate-resilient, market-preferred varieties require a bold, system-wide transformation of rice breeding practices worldwide. Baseline diagnostics of more than 25 national rice breeding programs across the Global South revealed…
