AgriTech News Issue 3, 15 June 2019

Images from space could help farmers grow better wheat varieties

Satellite imagery could help wheat breeders find genes that maximize yield and fight stress and disease and help farmers learn which varieties grow best in their areas. Photo courtesy of NASA.

Seth Truscott of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences reports that a team of researchers at Washington State University is putting satellites and drones to work in the hunt for better wheat varieties to help feed a growing world more sustainably as a part of its new project this spring, developing techniques that let satellites and flying drones identify and study wheat varieties from overhead. Over the coming years, this effort could speed up research into better, more productive wheat varieties and could give growers powerful new tools to improve farming.

Grown on more hectares worldwide than any other crop, wheat is a staple that feeds more than a third of the world’s population. To meet growing global demand, wheat breeders develop improved varieties. Phenotyping, measuring the way plant genes are expressed physically, is an important aspect of selecting the best plants to breed for improved yield, grain quality, and resistance to stress and disease, which is mostly done by hand (or visual observation and measurements), but with modern cameras and sensors, satellites could take phenotyping to a new level, helping scientists and growers quickly and accurately study how wheat varieties are performing in the field.

The lead scientist, Zhiwu Zhang at WSU, states that satellite imagery could help wheat breeders find genes that maximize yield and fight stress and disease, and help farmers learn which varieties grow best in their areas. While scientists can already learn a lot about crops from the wavelengths of light they emit—water stress, for example, shows up in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum—part of the project’s challenge is to learn whether wheat varieties and their physical characteristics can be differentiated by their spectral data. Arron Carter and Mike Pumphrey, winter and spring wheat breeders with WSU’s Department of Crop and Soil Sciences, are excited about the potential of overhead sensing to speed up the painstaking process of selection, thus saving considerable time in the crop improvement process.

Beyond breeding, the team’s research could ultimately help growers around the world use satellite imagery to predict yields, monitor performance, and protect their crops from drought.

For more, go to https://news.wsu.edu/2019/05/29/images-space-help-farmers-grow-better-wheat-varieties/

 

Accelerating maize breeding through a haploid-inducer mediated genome editing system

Maize (Zea mays), is the world’s highest grain producing crop; it is very important for food and feed security and energy supply for an ever-increasing world population. Historically, maize breeding and development has been based on breeding of elite parental inbred lines; it usually requires 8–10 generations to introduce desirable alleles into a desired elite background and usually involves extensive background screening and large-sized populations to increase the chance of genetic recombination, which can be very laborious, time-consuming, and expensive. Generation of pure inbred lines with multiple desired traits is critical for maize improvement. Doubled haploid (DH) and genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 are two powerful game-changing technologies in crop breeding. However, both still fall short for rapid generation of pure elite lines with integrated favourable traits. Wand and his colleagues report the development of a Haploid-Inducer Mediated Genome Editing (IMGE) approach, which utilizes a maize haploid inducer line carrying a CRISPR/Cas9 cassette targeting for a desired agronomic trait to pollinate an elite maize inbred line and to generate genome-edited haploids in the elite maize back-ground. Homozygous pure DH lines with the desired trait improvement could be generated within two generations, thus bypassing the lengthy procedure of repeated crossing and backcrossing used in conventional breeding for integrating a desirable trait into elite commercial backgrounds. The IMGE system described by the authors, in addition to the HI-Edit system described by Kelliher and colleagues (see Nature Biotechnology volume 37, pages 287–292, 2019) and the approaches for asexual propagation of hybrids reported recently by other authors, holds great promise for future crop breeding.

For details, go to https://reader.elsevier.com/reader/sd/pii/S1674205219300978?token=85336FBE6E5489DB25AD96C2B37233643EB2E5CB2989FCF1723F81F73AF81973FD3487898117DB490E4B4CB928611493

 

Epigenetics could help breed crops for tolerating drought and climate change

Although newly developed genetically modified (GM) crop varieties have the ability to adapt to climate change and tolerate pests and diseases, many are still on the shelf because of the complex regulatory processes to deal with GM crops. It is estimated that the approval for new GMOs can take more than a decade and cost upwards of $120 million. Therefore, some researchers are turning to new tools, including gene editing, to achieve similar or even superior results, but with fewer regulatory hurdles. Another approach is offered by the field of epigenetics—the manipulation of plant DNA without permanently changing it. Epigenetically manipulated crops have been shown to grow vigorously even when stressed by drought, heat, or cold and are not subject to any regulations. According to ‘Epicrop Technologies’ (a private company at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, USA), “epigenetic technology is unique as it is able to improve crop yields and stress tolerance without making any changes to the DNA sequence of the plant. The final crop plant is genetically identical to the starting plant and contains no foreign genes or any changes to the plant’s DNA”.

All living organisms contain DNA with multiple genes. Each gene contains instructions for cells on how and when to make certain proteins. But during crops’ cycle, certain genes will be “silent,” while others will be “expressed.” Over time, the gene activity will change. Some genes that were silent during the early stages will become active when plants grow older. And some that were previously active will become silent. These changes as to how and when genes are expressed help explain how plants go through different growth stages from seedling to seed production, even though its DNA remains the same. Epigenetics is the study of how and when the genes are expressed. When plants are genetically modified, the DNA itself is changed, while epigenetic manipulation involves changes to how genes are expressed or silenced. Plant breeders have used random genetic mutation (via chemical or physical mutagens) to select beneficial variants. Although mutagenesis results in tens of thousands of unplanned mutations, it is unregulated, while genetic engineering, which might require only a single gene tweak, must go through years of expensive evaluations. However, the epigenetics method basically silences a gene, and leaves the DNA intact. No “foreign” DNA is inserted, as in transgenic breeding. Scientists at Epicorp have shown that this breeding method is effective with sorghum, tomatoes, and Arabidopsis, and it can be used with virtually any plant species.

For more, go to –https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2019/04/19/epigenetics-could-alter-the-way-we-breed-crops-for-drought-and-climate-change/

 

Climate change and conflicts set to plunge millions into food crisis globally

The Hindu Business Line reports that food crises will affect tens of millions of people across the world this year, after war, extreme weather, and economic woes in 2018 left more than 113 million people in dire need of help. Conflicts and insecurity were responsible for the desperate situation faced by 74 million people, or two-thirds of those affected in 2018, said the Global Network against Food Crises in its annual report. The Network’s members include the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program, and the European Union.

FAO’s senior food crises analysts warned that millions more are now under threat of even higher levels of risk: “The 113 million is what we call the tip of the iceberg. If you look at the numbers further down, you have people who are not food insecure but they are on the verge,” In addition, a further 143 million, are “so fragile that it just takes a bit of a drought” for them to fall into food crisis, FAO experts said. “Unless we work substantially on these people and remove some of the drivers that can bring them to a worse situation, the overall numbers are likely to increase”.

Of countries that suffered food crises in 2018, the worst affected was Yemen, where nearly 16 million people needed urgent food aid after four years of war, followed by the Democratic Republic of Congo at 13 million and Afghanistan at 10.6 million.

Climate shocks and conflicts would continue to cause hunger in 2019, the report added. Dry weather and El Nino conditions are likely to affect southern Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean, while the needs of refugees and migrants in Bangladesh and Syria would remain high, it said.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/climate-conflicts-set-to-plunge-millions-into-food-crisis/article26713848.ece

 

North America Genome Editing Market Projected to Increase by 2025

Section: Plant Breeding Innovations

In the last couple of years, genome editing has received considerable attention in biological research, including agricultural research. Genome editing is a technique used to precisely and efficiently modify DNA within a cell, involving cutting specific DNA sequences with enzymes called ‘engineered nucleases’. Genome editing can be used to add, remove, or alter DNA in the genome. By editing the genome, the characteristics of a cell or an organism can be changed. Given its growing popularity, how does this affect biotechnological markets, including agricultural biotechnology? Recent studies have indicated that the North America genome editing market is expected to reach US$ 4,148.1 million in 2025 from US$ 1,234.5 million in 2017. The market is estimated to grow with a compound annual rate of 17.2% from 2018-2025. These figures are from the latest forecast released by Research and Markets.

The rise of the genome editing market is primarily attributed to the increased adoption of GM crops and the increasing prevalence of genetic diseases. However, the strict regulations implemented on genome editing may cause a negative effect on market growth. In 2017, the CRISPR segment held the largest market share of 53.6% of the genome editing market, by technology. This segment is also expected to dominate the market in 2025 owing to the simple, fast, and accurate properties of the CRISPR. Moreover, the TALENs segment is anticipated to witness the significant growth rate of 17.1% during the forecast period (2018 to 2025), owing to the properties provided by TALENs, expecting the market to rise soon. Thus, the genetic engineering segment of the North American market is expected to grow at a significant rate due to the adoption of animal and plant genetic engineering products. This is also expected to greatly influence global markets.

For more, go to https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/Market-Reports/genome-editing-engineering-market-231037000.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw27jnBRBuEiwAdjQXDPER0V89OpjdWEeDekTCiOStY-bqjRmn_IJ0EQ_5f9Gg6qwlA91pthoC6ckQAvD_BwE and https://www.apnews.com/4c72dee6a8504e118388e1ea562e8f9c

 

ICRISAT holds Workshop on management of fall armyworm

With Fall Armyworm (FAW) threatening agriculture in several countries, over 100 stakeholders from eight nations are gathered at the International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), near Hyderabad, India, to understand the challenges and find solutions. Representatives from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and India and some other South and South-East Asian countries are attending a regional workshop on ‘Fall Army Worm management in Asia’.

Photo: ICRISAT

First reported in West Africa in 2016, the pest quickly assumed epidemic proportions and spread to over 44 African countries. In India, its infection was first reported in Karnataka last year. FAW is a lepidopteran pest that feeds in large numbers on the leaves and stems of more than 80 plant species, causing extensive damage to crops such as maize, rice, sorghum, and sugarcane. It also attacks vegetable crops and cotton.

“The US is working to address the Fall Armyworm in several African countries. As the FAW has emerged in South and South-East Asia, collaboration is urgently required to manage its spread and minimise crop loss,” Katherine Hadda, US Consul General in Hyderabad, said. Addressing the inaugural of the three-day workshop, she said information on FAW’s outbreak, along with advance warnings systems, can be extremely helpful to both farmers and policymakers.

“We have noted with concern the entry of the Fall Armyworm in the country and responded quickly with appropriate measures including advisories and monitoring,” said Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (Department of Agricultural Research and Education) and Director General, Indian Council for Agricultural Research.

The workshop is being jointly organized by the US Agency for International Development, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre and ICRISAT. “Approaches to FAW management need to be flexible and should respond to local situations, including or especially changes in weather patterns. Going into the fields with predetermined solutions ready to be implemented (perhaps because they work somewhere else) will probably not be of long-term benefit,” says Dr Wightman a consultant from Australia.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/icrisat-hosts-multi-nation-meet-to-tackle-fall-army-worm/article27004308.ece

And

https://www.icrisat.org/can-we-beat-the-fall-armyworm-with-lessons-from-indias-groundnut-battle-of-the-80s/

 

Effect of Drought Stress on Photosynthate Allocation and Remobilization in Common Bean Pods

Common bean, due to its high nutritional value, is the most important staple grain legume for direct human consumption. To maximize its nutritional potential, scientists have aimed to improve its resistance to various stresses. One of the major stresses that bean cultivation faces is drought. Previous studies showed that photosynthate remobilization and partitioning is one of the major mechanisms of drought tolerance and overall productivity in common bean. Scientists from the University of California, Davis attempted to determine the inheritance of pod harvest index (PHI), a measure of the partitioning of pod biomass to seed biomass, relative to that of grain yield.

The researchers assessed a recombinant inbred population of the cross of ICA Bunsi and SXB405, to know the impact of intermittent and terminal drought stresses on the genetic architecture of photosynthate allocation and remobilization in pods of common bean. The population was grown for two seasons, under well-watered conditions and terminal and intermittent drought stress in one year, and well-watered conditions and terminal drought stress in the second year.

Results showed that there was a significant effect of the water regime and year on all the traits, at both the phenotypic and quantitative trait locus (QTL). They identified 9 QTLs for pod harvest index, 8 QTLs for yield, 3 of which clustered with PHI QTLs, confirming the importance of photosynthate remobilization in productivity. Substantial epistasis was also found, explaining a considerable part of the variation for yield and PHI. The findings show the genetic linkage of PHI and yield and confirm the role of PHI in the selection of both additive and epistatic effects controlling drought tolerance. These results support an approach of joint genomic and phenotypic selection of yield and its components. PHI could be a valuable selection goal in both well-watered and water-stressed environments because of its high correlation with yield and its higher heritability than yield. Such selection can help in the near future to develop more robust beans that can perform better during yield-reducing drought spells.

For more, go to https://bmcplantbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12870-019-1774-2