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Chris Ojiewo

Icrisat, Grain Legumes, Faculty Member

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Chris is a highly skilled professional with over fifteen years’ experience in agricultural research and development. His career in this area spans across countries and institutions in Africa and Asia including ICRISAT- Kenya (2017-Date), Ethiopia (2013 to 2017), ICRISAT- Malawi (2012-2013)
Address: Ethiopia

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Michael Waithaka

ASARECA

Erana Kebede Neda

Haramaya university

Cynthia Bantilan

essegbemon akpo

Université Nationale d'Agriculture, Benin

Silvia Cocconcelli

Universidad Central de Venezuela

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Papers by Chris Ojiewo

Twelve principles in mainstreaming efficient legume seed systems in Eastern Africa

Mainstreaming Efficient Legume Seed Systems in Eastern Africa, 2019

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imp... more The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.

Innovative Partnership Approach to Chickpea seedproduction and Technology Dissemination: Lessons fromEthiopia

Innovative partnership in chickpea seed production and technology dissemination was assessed in i... more Innovative partnership in chickpea seed production and technology dissemination was assessed in increasing chickpea productivity through facilitated access to quality seed. The study was designed to evaluate the benefits gained from partnership implemented for the last 10 years in chickpea technology by seed system of crop production. Farmers' participatory variety selection (FPVS)' has been implemented as epicenter of the new innovation. The varieties selected by the farmers were ultimately demonstrated and visited by large number of farmers and other stakeholders. This was complemented with the establishment and technical backstopping of farmers' seed producer associations to produce and market quality seed to fill the gap by the formal sector. Intervention with chickpea technologies were initiated right after training partners in chickpea seed and grain vale chain. From 2008 to 2015, over 350 FPVS trials were conducted concurrently with demonstrations. The farmers&#39...

Strategic Framework to Foster Grain Legume and Dryland Cereal Seed Systems InnovationsGuidelines to Drive Seed Delivery Systemsthrough Commodity Value Chains

Millions of smallholders in the drylands continue to use non-improved seed with lower productivit... more Millions of smallholders in the drylands continue to use non-improved seed with lower productivity. About half of these farmers live below the poverty line with only US $1.90 per day or less sustaining them. This Grain Legume and Dryland Cereal (GLDC) crops seed systems strategy has been put together to deliver realized genetic gains to these farmers’ fields.

Community Seed Production (Workshop Proceedings)

During the 1970s and 1980s, seed system support in developing countries was focused on strengthen... more During the 1970s and 1980s, seed system support in developing countries was focused on strengthening public sector institutions including agricultural research centers, extension services and state-owned seed corporations. This approach achieved limited success in Africa such that structural adjustment programs in the 1980s and 1990s resulted in general withdrawal of state seed system support. It created space especially for the private sector but also for civil society seed organizations while maintaining linkages with public sector agricultural research systems. The 1990s also saw the emergence of large-scale direct seed purchase and distribution, particularly in Africa, in response to natural disasters and crisis. Since 2000, agricultural development has been at very low levels with widespread under investment in the sector worldwide. However, there are now indications that donors are regaining interest in agriculture and especially in the seed sector...

What Does Gender Yield Gap Tell Us about Smallholder Farming in Developing Countries?

This study examines the extent of the productivity gap between male and female bean producers, it... more This study examines the extent of the productivity gap between male and female bean producers, its discriminatory nature and implications for the policymakers in agriculture in Tanzania. Generally, women are distinctively “invisible” in agriculture, due to social norms and even from the national agricultural policy perspective. Their discrimination arises from uncounted and unaccounted for farm work, and their productivity is reduced by triple roles, limited access to education, having triple effects on access to technology, training and land rights. In research, issues of concern to them such as nutritious food crops, varietal selection on important attributes, household food security, convenient home storage and small-scale processing are widely ignored through unfavourable policy design. Given the above discriminatory issues surrounding women in agriculture, they are hypothesised to be less productive and often lag behind male counterparts in crop production. To test the above hy...

Breeding tropical legume crops for resilient cropping systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Legume crops are important components of sustainable agricultural production, household income an... more Legume crops are important components of sustainable agricultural production, household income and dietary systems. However, legume production in the tropics is challenged by a number of biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic (heat, and drought) stresses. With support from bilateral projects such as Tropical Legumes (TL1, TL2 and TL3), CGIAR centers together with national research partners devoted resources and time to address these challenges. Genetic resources such as reference sets, pre-breeding, magic and intraspecific mapping populations, as well as genomic resources such as comprehensive genetic maps, whole genome sequences, QTLs and trait-specific markers have been developed for tropical legume crops such as chickpea, groundnut, common bean, pigeonpea, soybean and cowpea. Besides, integrated breeding approaches including high throughput genotyping and phenotyping platforms, marker-assisted selection (MAS) in pedigree breeding schemes, marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) and ...

Legume breeding and seed systems for improved livelihoods and impact

The Tropical Legumes III project aims to reduce food insecurity in drought-prone areas of Sub Sah... more The Tropical Legumes III project aims to reduce food insecurity in drought-prone areas of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA), through improved productivity and production of four major grain legumes – chickpea, common bean, cowpea and groundnut. This is being sone by conducting research under three complementary research and delivery pillars: support for the development and release of farmer-preferred varieties; strengthening of the legume breeding capacity of partner CGIAR centers (ICRISAT, IITA and CIAT), and national partners Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda; and establishment of sustainable seed delivery systems that service the needs of small-holderfarmers. Significant achievements have been recorded. Breeding program assessments have been completed in all countries and improvement plans developed for execution. New seed varieties (163) have been released and are fast replacing the old ruling seed varieties in all target countries. Thi...

Status and trends in area, production and productivity of selected legumes in Eastern Africa

Estimate of Heritability and Correlation Analysis for Nitrogen Fixation, Yield and Associated Traits in Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.)

Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelior... more Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelioration of soil fertility through N-fixation, and income generation. This study was conducted to estimate the heritability and correlation analysis of N-fixation in chickpea. Six F1 crosses were evaluated in lath house during the year 2014/15 using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications at Debre Zeit Research Center. Heritability of the characters was estimated in F1 generations from the combining ability analysis of a di-allele cross using fixed model expectations of mean squares for GCA and SCA . The calculated narrow sense heritability was high (>0.50) for all traits except for seed filling duration, number of pod per plant, shoot nitrogen fixation, grain harvesting index and grain production efficiency. All symbiotic traits such as number of nodules, shoot nitrogen fixation, N fixed in biomass, N fixed in grain, Nitrogen harvest index (NHI), Grain N yield, Sho...

Mainstreaming Efficient Legume Seed Systems in Eastern Africa

Legumes are important components of sustainable farming systems. They are useful to diversify and... more Legumes are important components of sustainable farming systems. They are useful to diversify and intensify cropping systems as double, catch, relay and intercrops; fix ‘free’ nitrogen to soils from the atmosphere and improve soil health that boost cereal crop yields; act as rotation crops for breaking disease and pest cycles; increase and diversify smallholder incomes (and hence buffer them from the effects of price, pest and climate-related production fluctuations); enhance quality of household diets because of their higher protein and micro-nutrient content compared with starch-based staple cereal crops; and provide good sources of animal feed (high protein crop residues and byproducts) and low carbon footprint, mitigating climate change...

Advances in chickpea crop improvement for improved productivity and resilient cropping systems in Ethiopia

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume in Ethiopia. Its production is challeng... more Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume in Ethiopia. Its production is challenged by low productivity of landraces, poor farming practices, and biotic and abiotic stresses, among others. To address these challenges, EIAR has partnered with CGIAR centers and developed improved chickpea varieties, along with integrated crop management technologies that have increased productivity. Central to these efforts is the Tropical Legumes Projects (TL) funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since the inception of the Tropical Legume project in 2007, six ‘kabuli’ and five ‘desi’ chickpea varieties have been released. TL project also supported efforts to avail high-quality seed of improved varieties to many small holder farmers through participatory variety selection and demonstration activities. Eighteen farmers’ seed producer associations have been established to fill up supply gaps for high quality seed. Seed production of improved chickpea varieties from 2008 to 20...

Understanding Farmers’ Trait Preferences for Dual-Purpose Crops to Improve Mixed Crop–Livestock Systems in Zimbabwe

Sustainability

Competition over land between food and fodder production, along with recurrent droughts and incre... more Competition over land between food and fodder production, along with recurrent droughts and increasing population, has put mixed crop–livestock farming systems in the drylands of sub-Saharan Africa under pressure. Dual-purpose crops hold huge potential to ease this pressure and simultaneously improve food and fodder availability in these systems. We investigated farmers’ preferences for dual-purpose maize, sorghum, and groundnut traits, and analyzed linkages of stated trait preferences with production of dual-purpose crops and adoption of improved varieties involving 645 households from two districts in Zimbabwe. The three target crops cover more than 75% of households’ cropping lands. Highly preferred stated traits of dual-purpose crops include yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Highly appreciated feed attributes encompass stover yield and digestibility. The adoption of improved varieties is high for maize but low for sorghum and groundnut. Trait preferences are corr...

Breeding Progress for Grain Yield and Yield Related Characters of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia Using Regression Analysis

Journal of Agricultural Science, Jan 12, 2018

The progress made to improve kabuli chickpea varieties through breeding in Ethiopia has not been ... more The progress made to improve kabuli chickpea varieties through breeding in Ethiopia has not been assessed so far. Therefore, in this study genetic gain in seed yield and yield related characters of 10 kabuli chickpea varieties (8 released and 2 elite lines) developed by the Chickpea Research Program from 1974 to 2015 during main cropping season was assessed. The varieties were evaluated in the Randomized Complete Block design at Debrezeit Agricultural Research Center experimental research farm. The overall increase in seed yield over the local check, DZ-10-4, was estimated to be 739 kg/ha (38.9%). Grain yield was increased from 1900 to 3250 kg/ha during the last 41 years and the overall increase in seed yield of the Arartie variety over the oldest variety DZ-10-4 was estimated to be 1350 kg/ha or 71.1%. Based on the regression analysis, the estimated average annual rate of increase in grain yield potential was 10.87 kg/ha/year with an annual relative genetic change of 0.57%/year. Genotypic change was an important source for increased grain yield potential during the studied period. Positive genetic gains were observed for the yield traits (grain yield and yield components).The average cumulative gains over 41 years of breeding was, therefore, 445.67 kg (23.37%) for seed yield, and 30.26 g for hundred seeds weight (297.7%). Hundred seed weight revealed the most dramatic response to breeding for the last 41 years. It is, therefore, strategically advisable that breeding efforts in the future should give due attention to yield related traits of kabuli chickpea varieties.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) growing in Ethiopia are nodulated by diverse rhizobia

African Journal of Microbiology Research

A total of eighty one (81) rhizobial isolates were recovered from root nodules of cowpea (Vigna u... more A total of eighty one (81) rhizobial isolates were recovered from root nodules of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown in soils collected from eight different sites (Hawassa, Wondogenet, Chofa, Badawacho, Bodity, Gofa, Ziway, and Alemtena) in Ethiopia with no known history of inoculation. The test isolates together with seven reference strains belonging to five genera including Rhizobium, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and Azorhizobium were characterized using ninety phenotypic traits. Thirty one isolates (38%) were found to be fast growers while fifty isolates (62%) were slow growers. The majority of the isolates showed an intrinsic resistance to antibiotics (µg/ml), Chloramphenicol (5 and 15), Lincomycin (100), Novobiocin (0.5 and 1.5), and Erythromycin (10 and 20) and to heavy metals manganese sulphate (500) and copper chloride (100). Most isolates did not tolerate NaCl concentration >3% (w/v) and high temperature (45°C). Dendrogram was constructed by applying the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) using NTSYSpc Version 2.1. They were grouped into seven clusters and eight unclustered positions, when 82% relative similarity was used as a cut point. Fifty eight percent of the test isolates were grouped with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii superclades, thus indicating that rhizobia nodulating cowpea and groundnut are delineated within a branch that defines Bradyrhizobium genus. To elucidate the precise taxonomic positions of the isolates, further genetic studies are required using modern molecular biological methods.

Heterosis for Nitrogen Fixation and Seed Yield and Yield Components in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research

Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelior... more Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelioration of soil fertility with less attention in research on N-fixation. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for nitrogen fixation and yield and yield associated traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Six F1 crosses obtained from crossing of four parents (two nodulated and non-nodulated) in a half diallel fashion were evaluated in 2014/15 season in lath house using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center. Significant (P<0.05) differences were exhibited among entries for all traits studied. Considering all traits, relative to the mid parent (MPH), better parent (BPH) and standard heterosis (SH) in percent ranged from 0.009 to 59.8, 0.009 to39.9 and 0.009 to58.8, respectively. The highest degrees of MPH were noted for nodule dry weight and of BPH and SH were noted for number of pods per plant, while the lowest was observed for grain yield (0.009). The hybrid obtained from nodulated parents (ICC5003 x ICC19180) showed high heterosis for number of nodule on the basis of MPH and BPH, while ICC4918x ICC19181 exhibited low heterotic effect which exhibited positive and significant MPH for nitrogen fixed in grain, BPH for seed filling duration and SH for days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity and shoot dry weight at maturity traits. 1. INTRODUCTION Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important food legume crops widely produced-globally on over 12 million hectares of land from which 10.9 million tons of grain is produced every year (FAOSTAT, 2012). It ranks second in area coverage (15.3% of the total area allotted to food legumes) and third in volume of production (14.6%) after common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and field peas (Pisum sativum L.) (Knights et al., 2007). In Ethiopia chickpea production ranks third in area and production among legumes next to faba bean and haricot bean (CSA, 2014/15). Out of 1.6 million hectares allocated for pulse , chickpea covered 239,755 hectares of land from

Assessment of Genetic Variability and Heritability in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill

The present study was carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advanc... more The present study was carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance for yield and yield component characters in two cross viz., BPT 5204 X ADT 45 and BPT 5204 X JGL 1798. In general, most of the characters viz., plant height, number of productive tillers, filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000 grain weight, seed yield per plant, grain length, grain width and L/B ratios in cross BPT 5204 X ADT 45 having higher mean performance when compared with the cross BPT 5204 X JGL 1798. High PCV and GCV showed high heritable variation which was recorded high in the characters viz., productive tillers per plant, and sterile grains per panicle and grain yield per panicle in both the crosses. Selection may be effective for the character with high heritability accompanied with high genetic advance which indicated that the heritability is due to additive gene effects. Similarly, high heritability with high genetic advance was observed for grain width in cross BPT 5204 X ADT 45 and the characters grain breadth and L/B ratios in cross BPT 5204 X JGL 1798.

Selection, Evaluation and Release of Varieties from Genetically Diverse African Nightshade Germplasm

Leaf yields of African nightshades are lower than their optimal potential, partly due to lack of ... more Leaf yields of African nightshades are lower than their optimal potential, partly due to lack of improved varieties. Field evaluation of selected African nightshade lines was conducted in Arusha, Tanzania to identify superior lines for variety release, registration and promotion. Three field trials were carried out from August 2007 to January 2008, April to October 2008, and August 2008 to January 2009. Lines SS52 and BG16 had significantly higher leaf yields in trial 1 with 33 and 30 t/ha and in trial 2 with 14 and 17 t/ha, respectively; while in trial 3, lines BG 16 and BG 21 had the highest leaf yields of 24 and 15 t/ha, respectively. These results were confirmed with earlier studies and nine promising lines were selected and subjected to multilocational trials across four Agroecological zones in Tanzania between 2008 and 2010. In year 2011, lines BG 16 and SS 49 were officially released and registered as “Nduruma” and “Olevolosi”, respectively based on their superior yield and a...

Floral Genetics of African Nightshade (Solanum Section Solanum)

Solanum section Solanum, centering on the species commonly known as African nightshade, and botan... more Solanum section Solanum, centering on the species commonly known as African nightshade, and botanically known as the “Solanum nigrum complex” is composed of a large number of morphogenetically distinct taxa, with certain common features. Their wide tolerance of habitat types, early flowering and prolific fruit production are adaptive features for success in the wild, semi-wild or weedy forms. In most parts of Africa and south-east Asia, their consumption, demand and market value as leafy vegetables have been on the rapid and steady rise in recent years due to their high nutritional and health benefits. However, production of these vegetables has traditionally remained on kitchen-garden scales with very low leaf yields. Notably, competition between vegetative and reproductive functions accounts for this low yield. Accurate manipulation of the switch from vegetative to reproductive development or elimination of the latter would potentially delay, reduce or eliminate competition from e...

Assessment of sorghum production constraints and farmer preferences for sorghum variety in Uganda: implications for nutritional quality breeding

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science

Ojiewo (2021) Assessment of sorghum production constraints and farmer preferences for sorghum var... more

Genetic diversity and population structure of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) accessions using phenotypic traits and SSR markers: implications for rust resistance breeding

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a multi-purpose legume serving millions of farmers and their v... more

Twelve principles in mainstreaming efficient legume seed systems in Eastern Africa

Mainstreaming Efficient Legume Seed Systems in Eastern Africa, 2019

The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imp... more The designations employed and the presentation of material in this information product do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concerning the legal or development status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The mention of specific companies or products of manufacturers, whether or not these have been patented, does not imply that these have been endorsed or recommended by FAO in preference to others of a similar nature that are not mentioned. The views expressed in this information product are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of FAO.

Innovative Partnership Approach to Chickpea seedproduction and Technology Dissemination: Lessons fromEthiopia

Innovative partnership in chickpea seed production and technology dissemination was assessed in i... more Innovative partnership in chickpea seed production and technology dissemination was assessed in increasing chickpea productivity through facilitated access to quality seed. The study was designed to evaluate the benefits gained from partnership implemented for the last 10 years in chickpea technology by seed system of crop production. Farmers' participatory variety selection (FPVS)' has been implemented as epicenter of the new innovation. The varieties selected by the farmers were ultimately demonstrated and visited by large number of farmers and other stakeholders. This was complemented with the establishment and technical backstopping of farmers' seed producer associations to produce and market quality seed to fill the gap by the formal sector. Intervention with chickpea technologies were initiated right after training partners in chickpea seed and grain vale chain. From 2008 to 2015, over 350 FPVS trials were conducted concurrently with demonstrations. The farmers&#39...

Strategic Framework to Foster Grain Legume and Dryland Cereal Seed Systems InnovationsGuidelines to Drive Seed Delivery Systemsthrough Commodity Value Chains

Millions of smallholders in the drylands continue to use non-improved seed with lower productivit... more Millions of smallholders in the drylands continue to use non-improved seed with lower productivity. About half of these farmers live below the poverty line with only US $1.90 per day or less sustaining them. This Grain Legume and Dryland Cereal (GLDC) crops seed systems strategy has been put together to deliver realized genetic gains to these farmers’ fields.

Community Seed Production (Workshop Proceedings)

During the 1970s and 1980s, seed system support in developing countries was focused on strengthen... more During the 1970s and 1980s, seed system support in developing countries was focused on strengthening public sector institutions including agricultural research centers, extension services and state-owned seed corporations. This approach achieved limited success in Africa such that structural adjustment programs in the 1980s and 1990s resulted in general withdrawal of state seed system support. It created space especially for the private sector but also for civil society seed organizations while maintaining linkages with public sector agricultural research systems. The 1990s also saw the emergence of large-scale direct seed purchase and distribution, particularly in Africa, in response to natural disasters and crisis. Since 2000, agricultural development has been at very low levels with widespread under investment in the sector worldwide. However, there are now indications that donors are regaining interest in agriculture and especially in the seed sector...

What Does Gender Yield Gap Tell Us about Smallholder Farming in Developing Countries?

This study examines the extent of the productivity gap between male and female bean producers, it... more This study examines the extent of the productivity gap between male and female bean producers, its discriminatory nature and implications for the policymakers in agriculture in Tanzania. Generally, women are distinctively “invisible” in agriculture, due to social norms and even from the national agricultural policy perspective. Their discrimination arises from uncounted and unaccounted for farm work, and their productivity is reduced by triple roles, limited access to education, having triple effects on access to technology, training and land rights. In research, issues of concern to them such as nutritious food crops, varietal selection on important attributes, household food security, convenient home storage and small-scale processing are widely ignored through unfavourable policy design. Given the above discriminatory issues surrounding women in agriculture, they are hypothesised to be less productive and often lag behind male counterparts in crop production. To test the above hy...

Breeding tropical legume crops for resilient cropping systems in Sub-Saharan Africa

Legume crops are important components of sustainable agricultural production, household income an... more Legume crops are important components of sustainable agricultural production, household income and dietary systems. However, legume production in the tropics is challenged by a number of biotic (diseases and pests) and abiotic (heat, and drought) stresses. With support from bilateral projects such as Tropical Legumes (TL1, TL2 and TL3), CGIAR centers together with national research partners devoted resources and time to address these challenges. Genetic resources such as reference sets, pre-breeding, magic and intraspecific mapping populations, as well as genomic resources such as comprehensive genetic maps, whole genome sequences, QTLs and trait-specific markers have been developed for tropical legume crops such as chickpea, groundnut, common bean, pigeonpea, soybean and cowpea. Besides, integrated breeding approaches including high throughput genotyping and phenotyping platforms, marker-assisted selection (MAS) in pedigree breeding schemes, marker-assisted backcrossing (MABC) and ...

Legume breeding and seed systems for improved livelihoods and impact

The Tropical Legumes III project aims to reduce food insecurity in drought-prone areas of Sub Sah... more The Tropical Legumes III project aims to reduce food insecurity in drought-prone areas of Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) and South Asia (SA), through improved productivity and production of four major grain legumes – chickpea, common bean, cowpea and groundnut. This is being sone by conducting research under three complementary research and delivery pillars: support for the development and release of farmer-preferred varieties; strengthening of the legume breeding capacity of partner CGIAR centers (ICRISAT, IITA and CIAT), and national partners Burkina Faso, Ghana, Mali, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda; and establishment of sustainable seed delivery systems that service the needs of small-holderfarmers. Significant achievements have been recorded. Breeding program assessments have been completed in all countries and improvement plans developed for execution. New seed varieties (163) have been released and are fast replacing the old ruling seed varieties in all target countries. Thi...

Status and trends in area, production and productivity of selected legumes in Eastern Africa

Estimate of Heritability and Correlation Analysis for Nitrogen Fixation, Yield and Associated Traits in Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum L.)

Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelior... more Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelioration of soil fertility through N-fixation, and income generation. This study was conducted to estimate the heritability and correlation analysis of N-fixation in chickpea. Six F1 crosses were evaluated in lath house during the year 2014/15 using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications at Debre Zeit Research Center. Heritability of the characters was estimated in F1 generations from the combining ability analysis of a di-allele cross using fixed model expectations of mean squares for GCA and SCA . The calculated narrow sense heritability was high (>0.50) for all traits except for seed filling duration, number of pod per plant, shoot nitrogen fixation, grain harvesting index and grain production efficiency. All symbiotic traits such as number of nodules, shoot nitrogen fixation, N fixed in biomass, N fixed in grain, Nitrogen harvest index (NHI), Grain N yield, Sho...

Mainstreaming Efficient Legume Seed Systems in Eastern Africa

Legumes are important components of sustainable farming systems. They are useful to diversify and... more Legumes are important components of sustainable farming systems. They are useful to diversify and intensify cropping systems as double, catch, relay and intercrops; fix ‘free’ nitrogen to soils from the atmosphere and improve soil health that boost cereal crop yields; act as rotation crops for breaking disease and pest cycles; increase and diversify smallholder incomes (and hence buffer them from the effects of price, pest and climate-related production fluctuations); enhance quality of household diets because of their higher protein and micro-nutrient content compared with starch-based staple cereal crops; and provide good sources of animal feed (high protein crop residues and byproducts) and low carbon footprint, mitigating climate change...

Advances in chickpea crop improvement for improved productivity and resilient cropping systems in Ethiopia

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume in Ethiopia. Its production is challeng... more Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is an important food legume in Ethiopia. Its production is challenged by low productivity of landraces, poor farming practices, and biotic and abiotic stresses, among others. To address these challenges, EIAR has partnered with CGIAR centers and developed improved chickpea varieties, along with integrated crop management technologies that have increased productivity. Central to these efforts is the Tropical Legumes Projects (TL) funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Since the inception of the Tropical Legume project in 2007, six ‘kabuli’ and five ‘desi’ chickpea varieties have been released. TL project also supported efforts to avail high-quality seed of improved varieties to many small holder farmers through participatory variety selection and demonstration activities. Eighteen farmers’ seed producer associations have been established to fill up supply gaps for high quality seed. Seed production of improved chickpea varieties from 2008 to 20...

Understanding Farmers’ Trait Preferences for Dual-Purpose Crops to Improve Mixed Crop–Livestock Systems in Zimbabwe

Sustainability

Competition over land between food and fodder production, along with recurrent droughts and incre... more Competition over land between food and fodder production, along with recurrent droughts and increasing population, has put mixed crop–livestock farming systems in the drylands of sub-Saharan Africa under pressure. Dual-purpose crops hold huge potential to ease this pressure and simultaneously improve food and fodder availability in these systems. We investigated farmers’ preferences for dual-purpose maize, sorghum, and groundnut traits, and analyzed linkages of stated trait preferences with production of dual-purpose crops and adoption of improved varieties involving 645 households from two districts in Zimbabwe. The three target crops cover more than 75% of households’ cropping lands. Highly preferred stated traits of dual-purpose crops include yield, disease resistance, and drought tolerance. Highly appreciated feed attributes encompass stover yield and digestibility. The adoption of improved varieties is high for maize but low for sorghum and groundnut. Trait preferences are corr...

Breeding Progress for Grain Yield and Yield Related Characters of Kabuli Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in Ethiopia Using Regression Analysis

Journal of Agricultural Science, Jan 12, 2018

The progress made to improve kabuli chickpea varieties through breeding in Ethiopia has not been ... more The progress made to improve kabuli chickpea varieties through breeding in Ethiopia has not been assessed so far. Therefore, in this study genetic gain in seed yield and yield related characters of 10 kabuli chickpea varieties (8 released and 2 elite lines) developed by the Chickpea Research Program from 1974 to 2015 during main cropping season was assessed. The varieties were evaluated in the Randomized Complete Block design at Debrezeit Agricultural Research Center experimental research farm. The overall increase in seed yield over the local check, DZ-10-4, was estimated to be 739 kg/ha (38.9%). Grain yield was increased from 1900 to 3250 kg/ha during the last 41 years and the overall increase in seed yield of the Arartie variety over the oldest variety DZ-10-4 was estimated to be 1350 kg/ha or 71.1%. Based on the regression analysis, the estimated average annual rate of increase in grain yield potential was 10.87 kg/ha/year with an annual relative genetic change of 0.57%/year. Genotypic change was an important source for increased grain yield potential during the studied period. Positive genetic gains were observed for the yield traits (grain yield and yield components).The average cumulative gains over 41 years of breeding was, therefore, 445.67 kg (23.37%) for seed yield, and 30.26 g for hundred seeds weight (297.7%). Hundred seed weight revealed the most dramatic response to breeding for the last 41 years. It is, therefore, strategically advisable that breeding efforts in the future should give due attention to yield related traits of kabuli chickpea varieties.

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) and cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) growing in Ethiopia are nodulated by diverse rhizobia

African Journal of Microbiology Research

A total of eighty one (81) rhizobial isolates were recovered from root nodules of cowpea (Vigna u... more A total of eighty one (81) rhizobial isolates were recovered from root nodules of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) and groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown in soils collected from eight different sites (Hawassa, Wondogenet, Chofa, Badawacho, Bodity, Gofa, Ziway, and Alemtena) in Ethiopia with no known history of inoculation. The test isolates together with seven reference strains belonging to five genera including Rhizobium, Ensifer, Mesorhizobium, Bradyrhizobium and Azorhizobium were characterized using ninety phenotypic traits. Thirty one isolates (38%) were found to be fast growers while fifty isolates (62%) were slow growers. The majority of the isolates showed an intrinsic resistance to antibiotics (µg/ml), Chloramphenicol (5 and 15), Lincomycin (100), Novobiocin (0.5 and 1.5), and Erythromycin (10 and 20) and to heavy metals manganese sulphate (500) and copper chloride (100). Most isolates did not tolerate NaCl concentration >3% (w/v) and high temperature (45°C). Dendrogram was constructed by applying the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means (UPGMA) using NTSYSpc Version 2.1. They were grouped into seven clusters and eight unclustered positions, when 82% relative similarity was used as a cut point. Fifty eight percent of the test isolates were grouped with Bradyrhizobium japonicum and Bradyrhizobium elkanii superclades, thus indicating that rhizobia nodulating cowpea and groundnut are delineated within a branch that defines Bradyrhizobium genus. To elucidate the precise taxonomic positions of the isolates, further genetic studies are required using modern molecular biological methods.

Heterosis for Nitrogen Fixation and Seed Yield and Yield Components in Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research

Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelior... more Chickpea is one of the most cultivated grain legumes in Ethiopia for grain production and amelioration of soil fertility with less attention in research on N-fixation. Therefore, this study was conducted to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for nitrogen fixation and yield and yield associated traits in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). Six F1 crosses obtained from crossing of four parents (two nodulated and non-nodulated) in a half diallel fashion were evaluated in 2014/15 season in lath house using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center. Significant (P<0.05) differences were exhibited among entries for all traits studied. Considering all traits, relative to the mid parent (MPH), better parent (BPH) and standard heterosis (SH) in percent ranged from 0.009 to 59.8, 0.009 to39.9 and 0.009 to58.8, respectively. The highest degrees of MPH were noted for nodule dry weight and of BPH and SH were noted for number of pods per plant, while the lowest was observed for grain yield (0.009). The hybrid obtained from nodulated parents (ICC5003 x ICC19180) showed high heterosis for number of nodule on the basis of MPH and BPH, while ICC4918x ICC19181 exhibited low heterotic effect which exhibited positive and significant MPH for nitrogen fixed in grain, BPH for seed filling duration and SH for days to 50% flowering, days to 90% maturity and shoot dry weight at maturity traits. 1. INTRODUCTION Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) is one of the most important food legume crops widely produced-globally on over 12 million hectares of land from which 10.9 million tons of grain is produced every year (FAOSTAT, 2012). It ranks second in area coverage (15.3% of the total area allotted to food legumes) and third in volume of production (14.6%) after common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) and field peas (Pisum sativum L.) (Knights et al., 2007). In Ethiopia chickpea production ranks third in area and production among legumes next to faba bean and haricot bean (CSA, 2014/15). Out of 1.6 million hectares allocated for pulse , chickpea covered 239,755 hectares of land from

Assessment of Genetic Variability and Heritability in Lycopersicon esculentum Mill

The present study was carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advanc... more The present study was carried out to assess the genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance for yield and yield component characters in two cross viz., BPT 5204 X ADT 45 and BPT 5204 X JGL 1798. In general, most of the characters viz., plant height, number of productive tillers, filled grains per panicle, spikelet fertility, 1000 grain weight, seed yield per plant, grain length, grain width and L/B ratios in cross BPT 5204 X ADT 45 having higher mean performance when compared with the cross BPT 5204 X JGL 1798. High PCV and GCV showed high heritable variation which was recorded high in the characters viz., productive tillers per plant, and sterile grains per panicle and grain yield per panicle in both the crosses. Selection may be effective for the character with high heritability accompanied with high genetic advance which indicated that the heritability is due to additive gene effects. Similarly, high heritability with high genetic advance was observed for grain width in cross BPT 5204 X ADT 45 and the characters grain breadth and L/B ratios in cross BPT 5204 X JGL 1798.

Selection, Evaluation and Release of Varieties from Genetically Diverse African Nightshade Germplasm

Leaf yields of African nightshades are lower than their optimal potential, partly due to lack of ... more Leaf yields of African nightshades are lower than their optimal potential, partly due to lack of improved varieties. Field evaluation of selected African nightshade lines was conducted in Arusha, Tanzania to identify superior lines for variety release, registration and promotion. Three field trials were carried out from August 2007 to January 2008, April to October 2008, and August 2008 to January 2009. Lines SS52 and BG16 had significantly higher leaf yields in trial 1 with 33 and 30 t/ha and in trial 2 with 14 and 17 t/ha, respectively; while in trial 3, lines BG 16 and BG 21 had the highest leaf yields of 24 and 15 t/ha, respectively. These results were confirmed with earlier studies and nine promising lines were selected and subjected to multilocational trials across four Agroecological zones in Tanzania between 2008 and 2010. In year 2011, lines BG 16 and SS 49 were officially released and registered as “Nduruma” and “Olevolosi”, respectively based on their superior yield and a...

Floral Genetics of African Nightshade (Solanum Section Solanum)

Solanum section Solanum, centering on the species commonly known as African nightshade, and botan... more Solanum section Solanum, centering on the species commonly known as African nightshade, and botanically known as the “Solanum nigrum complex” is composed of a large number of morphogenetically distinct taxa, with certain common features. Their wide tolerance of habitat types, early flowering and prolific fruit production are adaptive features for success in the wild, semi-wild or weedy forms. In most parts of Africa and south-east Asia, their consumption, demand and market value as leafy vegetables have been on the rapid and steady rise in recent years due to their high nutritional and health benefits. However, production of these vegetables has traditionally remained on kitchen-garden scales with very low leaf yields. Notably, competition between vegetative and reproductive functions accounts for this low yield. Accurate manipulation of the switch from vegetative to reproductive development or elimination of the latter would potentially delay, reduce or eliminate competition from e...

Assessment of sorghum production constraints and farmer preferences for sorghum variety in Uganda: implications for nutritional quality breeding

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section B — Soil & Plant Science

Ojiewo (2021) Assessment of sorghum production constraints and farmer preferences for sorghum var... more

Genetic diversity and population structure of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) accessions using phenotypic traits and SSR markers: implications for rust resistance breeding

Genetic Resources and Crop Evolution

Groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) is a multi-purpose legume serving millions of farmers and their v... more