Research Results
1. Gene from Bitter Melon Protects Rice from Sheath Blight Disease:
Rice, along with wheat and maize, is one of the three leading food crops in the world. Grown on 154 million ha, it ranks second to wheat (about 220 m ha); about 720 million tonnes of rice is produced worldwide, of which 85% is consumed by humans. Sheath blight (SB), caused by Rhizoctonia solani fungus, is a problem in rice production worldwide and is known to cause sizeable yield losses. It is a major production constraint in high-yielding varieties under intensive rice production systems. To date, scientists have not found a source of resistance within the rice germplasm.
Therefore, identifying sources of resistance and breeding rice resistant to SB are important goals for rice breeders. Researchers from Southwest University in China, led by Changwei Zhang, searched for other sources of resistance and tested a gene from bitter melon or bitter gourd. The research team developed transgenic lines harbouring the chitinase gene (McCHIT1) of bitter melon with good SB resistance. This work offers promise in that the gene from bitter melon can be used to protect rice plants from SB infection and can assist in the reduced use of pesticides.
For more, go to https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11248-019-00158-x and
2. Scientists decode DNA secrets of world’s toughest bean:
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculate[L.] Walp.),also known as black-eyed peas, is a major crop, contributing to global food and nutritional security. Most cowpeas are grown in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Niger, and other West African countries, which account for more than 66% of world cowpea production. Cowpea is known to be a resilient crop, well adapted to hot and dry and marginal environments. Plant genome sequencing decoding increases the availability of DNA sequence information,which enables the discovery of genes and molecular markers associated with diverse agronomic traits. Decoding DNA thus creates new opportunities for crop improvement.
Stefano Lonardi and colleagues from the University of California, Riverside, USA have decoded the genome of cowpea, increasing the scope for attaining food security, especially as the climate changes. Understanding the genes responsible for the cowpea’s drought and heat tolerance could help improve other crops too. The genome sequence facilitated the identification of a putative syntelog for multiple organ gigantism in legumes. A revised numbering system has been adopted for cowpea chromosomes, based on synteny with the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris).
For more, go to https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/tpj.14349
3. Researchers can finally modify plant mitochondrial DNA:
Globally, the frequency and intensity of droughts is increasing as a result of ongoing climate change, with important consequences for the growth and survival of agricultural and native plant species. Gaining deeper insights into the role of mitochondria and respiration in orchestrating drought tolerance, at both the molecular and the whole-plant level, can assist in dealing with these issues. Sequence-specific nucleases are commonly used to modify the nuclear genome of plants. However, to date, targeted modification of the mitochondrial genome of land plants has not been achieved. In plants, cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) has been attributed to certain mitochondrial genes, which are yet to be validated by direct mitochondrial gene-targeted modification.
A team of scientists from Japan report on knocking out (thus making inoperative) CMS-associated genes (orf79 and orf125) of CMS varieties of rice and rapeseed, respectively, using transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs) with mitochondria localization signals (mitoTALENs). Their results show that mitoTALENs can be used to stably and heritably modify the mitochondrial genome in plants. Further research to study in greater detail the mitochondrial genes responsible for plant male infertility is in progress. This work can also help identify potential mutations that could add much-needed diversity in mitochondria genes, and to study them to enable better understanding of their role in plant metabolism.
For more, go to https://phys.org/news/2019-07-mitochondrial-dna.html
Potential Crops/Technologies
1. A global surveillance system for crop diseases proposed:
It has been estimated that global agricultural production must increase by about 70% by 2050, if the ever-increasing demand for food and nutrition is to be met. Pests and crop diseases, which on average cause about 20-30% yield losses by harvest and more thereafter, are a major threat. It has been reported that this level of loss accounts for half of the global human calorie intake. In addition, climate change and global trade drive the distribution, host range, and impact of plant diseases, due to increased spread or reemergence. Many national and regional plant protection organizations are monitoring the occurrence and spread, but the exchange of information is inefficient.
To improve responses, including speed of response, to unexpected crop disease spread, an international team of researchers propose a Global Surveillance System (GSS) that will extend and adapt established biosecurity practices and networking facilities across countries, to stabilize food supplies, enhancing global food protection. The proposed GSS would minimize the risk to food supplies, as it would detect threats and risks to global food supplies and support timely responses. Countries and regions will benefit by increasing their capacity to predict, detect, communicate, and effectively respond to emerging crop disease outbreaks.
For more, go to https://science.sciencemag.org/content/364/6447/1237
2. Zero-waste plants:
A large proportion of crops are discarded at harvest; this includes plant organs containing proteins, fats, fibres, and other valuable plant components. Luisa Trindade of Wageningen University says this needs to change: “The world needs plants that can be used fully, to the last molecule.” Trindade wants to increase the value of crop residues. She thinks it is crucial to decide in advance exactly what one intends to do with the different plant components.
Miscanthus, silvergrass, is a genus of African, Eurasian, and Pacific Island plants in the grass family.This grass serves as a raw material for many kinds of products. For example, cellulose, a major component of its biomass, can be used to make paper and bioplastics, while whole fibres can be used as a lightweight filler in concrete. It is increasingly becoming a favourite choice as a biofuel, outperforming maize (corn) and other alternatives. Miscanthus is predominantly used for feedstock production for both energy and non-energy end uses. Trindade emphasizes that a breeder should be able to use all of the plant. She notes that plants can differ in their complexity, making such full use challenging. For example, the tomato is a complex plant, with great differences in the composition of its different organs. She adds, however, that in the future, it would be possible to develop tomato varieties where the total biomass could be used for food and non-food purposes, with edible stems and leaves. Similarly it will be useful for crop improvement scientists to keep in mind the possible uses of all plant parts so as to minimize waste.
For more, go to https://www.wur.nl/en/news-wur/Show/Zero-waste-plants.htm
3. Bioinformatics in genebanks: The shift from Germplasm Collections towards bio-digital resource centres: There are about 1,750 
genebanks around the world conserving biodiversity─plant genetic resources─for present as well as future use. Along with seed, these genebanks also store passport information and characterization and evaluation data on a total of about 7.4 million accessions of diverse plant species. With the ever-increasing amount of detailed information that needs to be stored along with the biological material (seed/tissue/DNA), storing, mining, and exchanging seed and information is becoming a challenge. A team of scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research (IPK) in Gatersleben, Germany has come up with ways to deal with this problem.
The scientists identified three major challenges for genebanks:(1) tracking of the identity of accessions, (2) the need to avoid unnecessary duplications within and between genebanks, and (3) maintaining the genetic integrity of accessions. To deal with these challenges, they proposed an international framework that would enable genebanks, plant breeders, and researchers to more efficiently process and mobilise plant genetic diversity. Such efforts can help to bridge the gaps between bioinformaticians, geneticists, and genebank curators. A worldwide network of bio-digital resource centres, sharing data freely, can thus help in fostering research progress in plant science and plant breeding.
For more, go to https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190628120521.htm
News
1. India is slow in adopting biopesticides:
One of the goals of sustainable agriculture is increasing the yield of food and fibre crops and reducing the incidence of pests and diseases. The overdependence on chemical pesticides is leading to serious health and environmental problems. Biopesticides can make an important contribution to sustainable agriculture and help reduce reliance on chemical pesticides.
However, biopesticides are yet to take off in India, despite their enormous market potential and encouragement by government. The United States, Canada, and Mexico use up approximately 45% of all the globally sold biopesticides, while the European Union uses 20%. In India, the cost and the long-drawn-out process involved in the registration of biopesticides are among the reasons that deter companies from engaging in research and development in this area.
For more, go to https://india.mongabay.com/2019/07/what-is-preventing-the-widespread-adoption-of-biopesticides-in-india/
2. Global farming trends threaten food security:
Many crops depend on pollinators,including those that provide fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and oils. FAO estimates that between US$235 billion and US$577 billion worth of annual global food production relies on direct contributions by pollinators. Although the food that appears on the urban dining table appears to be more diverse than in the past, global agriculture does not reflect this trend. Monocultures are increasing worldwide, taking up more land than ever. We are tending to depend more and more on fewer crops (See 1 under Research Results earlier). It is known that 16 of the 20 fastest growing crops require pollination by insects or other animals. At the same time, many other crops grown also rely on pollination by insects and other animals. A team of researchers, with help from Martin Luther University, Halle-Wittenberg (MLU), Germany examined global developments in agriculture over the past 50 years.
Their evaluation has shown that not only is more and more land being used for agriculture worldwide, the diversity of the crops being grown has declined. Meanwhile, 16 of the 20 fastest growing crops require pollination by insects or other animals putting world food security at risk.
For more, go to https://eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-07/mh-sgf070519.php
Events
1.International Conference on Soil and Water Resources Management for Climate Smart Agriculture, Global Food and Livelihood Security:
This conference aims to propose a policy framework so as to protect, conserve, and develop natural resources and use them sustainably to alleviate poverty, hunger, enhance livelihood security, environmental stability, and improve the quality of life.
For more, go to https://10times.com/icswrmcsagfls
2. 8th International Conference on Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management:
Scholars from all over the world are invited to attend and present their scientific research at the ‘8th International Conference on Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Management (Biodiversity Congress 2019)’ during November 11-12, 2019 in Tokyo, Japan, which includes Keynote presentations, Oral talks, Poster presentations, Delegate views, and Exhibitions.Biodiversity Congress is a global platform to discuss and learn about Ecology and its associated fields, Evolution of Species, Plant & Animal Biodiversity, Biodiversity Management, Fauna & Flora, Biodiversity & Food Security, Conservation of Endangered Species, Marine Biodiversity, Forestry, and Sustainable Energy Development.
For more, go to https://biodiversity.conferenceseries.com/
3. 3rd International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture:
The 3rd International Conference on Agriculture and Horticulture welcomes Agronomists, Horticulturalists, Agricultural Engineers, Researchers, Young Individuals, and industrial experts working in the field of Agriculture and Horticulture to this upcoming meeting at London, UK during October 21-22, 2019. The conference is organised on the theme “Developing patterns in Agriculture and Horticulture,” and it invites all enthusiastic participants to gain international experience within agricultural research and its industrial sphere.
For more, go to https://www.meetingsint.com/conferences/agriculture-horticulture
For a more comprehensive list of conferences in the near future, go to https://www.allconferencealert.com/topic_event.php?topic=Agriculture