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Location: Asia

As a fast growing region with increasing challenges for smallholder farmers, Asia is a key target region for CIMMYT. CIMMYT’s work stretches from Central Asia to southern China and incorporates system-wide approaches to improve wheat and maize productivity and deliver quality seed to areas with high rates of child malnutrition. Activities involve national and regional local organizations to facilitate greater adoption of new technologies by farmers and benefit from close partnerships with farmer associations and agricultural extension agents.

Researchers explore new data analysis tools

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Fifteen researchers gathered at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur, Bangladesh, earlier this month to learn more about data processing. The course, “Statistical analysis of field experimental data using CROPSTAT,” ran from 11- 13 January 2010 as part of the project “Sustainable intensification of rice-maize systems in Bangladesh,” which is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

CROPSTAT is a data analysis program that uses balanced and unbalanced designs for single and multi-site analysis. None of the participants had used CROPSTAT before, though several had some background knowledge on other statistical software. CIMMYT-IRRI senior scientist and project leader Jagadish Timsina coordinated the course; Shahjan Kabir from BRRI, and Shalimuddin from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), provided handson training. The project is jointly implemented by CIMMYT and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in collaboration with national partners: BARI, BRRI, the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), the Rangpur-Dinajpur Rural Services (RDRS), and the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC). The 15 researchers who attended the training were from the four project sites (Comilla, Gazipur, Rajshahi, and Rangpur) of BARI, BRRI, BARD, and RDRS.

After course completion, participants expressed interest in using CROPSTAT 7.2 to analyze ACIAR project data, and suggested a second, more advanced CROPSTAT course. One of the objectives of this ACIAR-funded, 5-year project (2008-13) is to provide training for researchers, farmers, and extension workers from governmental and nongovernmental organizations. The CROPSTAT training is one example of researcher-geared training.

Wheat physiology course

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A select group of eight scientists from China and India traveled to Mexico for a two-week wheat course that ran from 23 November until 04 December. Led by Matthew Reynolds, CIMMYT wheat physiologist, the course focused on phenotyping for physiological trait-based breeding and gene discovery. The first week was held at El Batán and focused on the theoretical aspects of physiology in breeding. For the second week, participants traveled to Tlaltizapán to practice practical application. Procedures covered included biomass and root sampling; yield component estimation; mega-environment breeding; and the measurement of canopy temperature.

The course was funded by the Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) and is a build-up for GCP Phase II, which involves the application and delivery of genetic diversity and trait information (gathered during Phase I). In Phase II, GCP will devote half of its resources to seven main priorities, one of which is to increase drought tolerance for wheat in China and India.

New CIMMYT publication explores maize molecular diversity

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A team of 18 scientists coordinated by CIMMYT recently published a paper that explores genetic diversity among 770 inbred maize lines. “Molecular characterization of global maize breeding germplasm based on genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)” was published in the December print issue of Theoretical Applied Genetics.

“This paper is a clear example of strong international cooperation and it shows the importance of the well established network led by CIMMYT,” said Sidney Parentoni, co-author and maize breeder from Embrapa Maize and Sorghum, Brazil.

The collaborating scientists from five countries used 1,034 SNP markers to discover general molecular similarities and differences among select maize lines. This is done by looking at areas on DNA that are known to vary among members of the same species; for a SNP this refers to the difference of a single nucleotide. The work resulted in millions of new data point across the 770 maize lines.

“The published research provides significant new information for maize genetic improvement including germplasm classification, heterotic grouping, and genetic differences between tropical and temperate, yellow and white, and fl int and dent maize germplasm,” said Yunbi Xu, project leader and CIMMYT maize molecular breeder, adding that the use of so many lines and markers makes the 23-page publication the largest study of its kind. Another major CIMMYT contributor was Yanli Lu, the paper’s first author (pictured above). Lu is a CIMMYT consultant who will receive her Ph.D. from Sichuan Agricultural University of China next year.

The paper and research were made possible by the use of SNP markers previously identified by non-CIMMYT related authors. This work, along with recent publications in the magazine Science documenting an improved sequence of the maize genome and the first haplotype map of maize, is an essential asset to help maize breeders use diverse germplasm and begin to implement genome-wide selection.

“The availability of genotypic information and the rapidly falling cost of genotyping are paving the way for genome-wide molecular breeding for maize at CIMMYT,” said Gary Atlin, associate director of the Global Maize Program.

Two additional papers that further examine the selected inbred maize lines are currently in the works: one on association mapping and the other on linkage mapping.

Chinese visitors seek partnerships in conservation agriculture

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ObregonA delegation of eight scientists from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing, arrived in Mexico on 28 November and traveled the following day to Ciudad Obregón. They spent three days touring the Yaqui Valley to learn about activities in CIMMYT’s northern Mexico conservation agriculture (CA) hub. On 01 December, they returned to El Batán to familiarize themselves with CA activities there, until their departure for China on 03 December. Their visit is associated with efforts to develop new collaborative activities between CIMMYT and relevant Chinese institutions to generate and promote locally-adapted CA cropping practices for major Chinese maize and wheat production systems.

Indian dignitaries and guests celebrate the life and work of Norman E. Borlaug

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NB-1aDuring 21-22 November, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) hosted a major tribute ceremony for Norman E. Borlaug at its NASC complex in New Delhi. Some 200 participants attended the inaugural session, which featured a welcome and memorial address by Mangala Rai, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), ICAR director general and former CIMMYT Trustee. There were memorial addresses by T Nanda Kumar, secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC); Mahmoud Solh, director general, ICARDA; M.S. Swaminathan, chairman, MSSRF; and K.V. Thomas, honorable minister of state (Agriculture).

Thomas Lumpkin’s presentation, entitled “India’s ‘Annadaata’ — Father of the Green Revolution,” was very well-received, according to global wheat program director Hans Braun. Braun, along with CIMMYT distinguished scientist Ravi Singh and Raj Gupta, South Asia coordinator, delivery and adaptation of cereal technology, took part in the tribute and the 1.5-day technical sessions on increasing wheat yields, controlling wheat rust diseases, promoting conservation agriculture, managing climate change and abiotic stresses, and wheat quality improvement. A valedictory function was attended as well by Sharad Pawar, minister of agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.

CA training in India

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AC-india1Nearly 20 delegates from North Bengal Agriculture University’s agricultural outreach stations and several local farmers attended a conservation agriculture (conservation agriculture) traveling training seminar in India during 29-30 October 2009.

At a field owned by farmer Paras Nath and located in Paghra village of the Samastipur District, presenters explained laser-land leveling, zero-tillage, and bed planting. The first presenter, Sanjeev Kumar, service engineer from the laser manufacturing company Leica, Elcom Technologies Pvt Limited, in Gurgaon, India, described the use of the laser system and provided hands-on training for laser-land leveling, a practice that improves productivity and conserves irrigation water. Next, CIMMYT agronomist Raj Kumar demonstrated zero-till planting for lentils and bed planting for maize.

AC-India2Participants then traveled to Rajendra Agriculture University’s (RAU), Pusa Farm, where they saw CA-based longterm experimental trials of rice-wheat and rice-maize systems. Following this, the delegation visited participatory trials of zero-till rice and listened to additional CA information and herbicide application techniques presented by CSISA hub manager Ravi Gopal. Finally, S. Chowdhury, CIMMYT seed production specialist, spoke about new wheat varieties suitable for the eastern Indo- Gangetic Plains.

Nutritious and delicious

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India1-300x215Tortillas made from quality protein maize (QPM) are now being sold on the streets in Patna, the capital city of Bihar, India. CIMMYT-India donated a QPM tortilla unit to Magadh Credit Cooperative Society (MCCS) and the society is now selling five tortillas with curry for about US$ 0.25 (10-12 rupees). The program is based on a “meals on wheels” scheme and the food will be sold at mobile shops and Sudha milk booths across Patna. The goal is to provide affordable, healthy food to the city’s urban poor. CIMMYT and Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) are working to strengthen inbred production of hybrid QPM seed in eastern India to support this production chain.

CIMMYT staff accepts numerous awards

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Award-PWall Pat Wall obtains ASA recognition

On 02 November 2009, the American Society of Agronomy (ASA) presented Pat Wall, director of CIMMYT’s global conservation agriculture program, with its “International Service in Agronomy Award” in recognition of two decades of work to adapt the principles of conservation agriculture for farmers in developing countries, especially resourcepoor smallholders. As a recipient of the award, Wall joins the ranks of giants such Norman E. Borlaug, Edwin J. Wellhausen, Sterling Wortman, Jack R. Harlan, Ernest W. Sprague, Gurdev S. Khush, Sanjaya Rajaram, Ronald P. Cantrell, and Rattan Lal. Congratulations, Pat

Zhonghu He selected for CSSA fellow

untitledZhonghu He, principal scientist of CIMMYT’s Global Wheat Program and country representative in China was selected for the 2009 Fellow of Crop Science Society of America (CSSA). The awarding ceremony was held on 3 November during the ASACSSA- SSSA International Annual Meeting in Pitt sburgh. Dr. He made signifi cant contributions in improving Chinese wheat quality, development and application of molecular markers, promotion of international and domestic collaboration, and training. He also received the most prestigious award from Chinese government in 2008 and CGIAR Regional Award in 2007.

Former-CIMMYT staff awarded

Former CIMMYT employee William Raun recently received the Eminent Faculty Award from Oklahoma State University (OSU) where he works as a regents professor in the department of plant and soil sciences. The award is given to university individuals for outstanding service to OSU. Raun, who continues to collaborate with CIMMYT, received the special recognition for his work with nitrogen use efficiency.

First annual review and planning of the CIMMYT-IRRI collaborative rice-maize project

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AnnualReview1Partners of the “Sustainable intensification of rice-maize production systems in Bangladesh” met 25-29 October 2009 for the project’s first annual review—the program started in June 2008 and will run until 2013. Nearly 50 people attended the meeting held at the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI) in Gazipur, Bangladesh. The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funds the project, which focuses on research and technology delivery for conservation agriculture (CA) and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM).

Several speakers opened the meeting, including Jagadish Timsina, senior CIMMYT-IRRI (International Rice Research Institute) cropping system agronomist. Timsina highlighted the teamwork between CIMMYT, IRRI, and multiple organizations in Bangladesh who together are working to develop, test, and disseminate sustainable CA-based management systems for highly intensive and productive rice-maize systems. CIMMYT and IRRI are jointly implementing the project. Representatives from the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), BRRI, IRRI, and CIMMYT also delivered speeches, presented project results, and collaborated to form a revised work plan for the project’s next four years.

AnnualReview2The last three days of activities took place in the research stations of BARI, BRRI, and the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD), as well as at on-farm sites in Rajshahi and Comilla. Scientists spoke with farmers about the benefits of CA technologies and received feedback from the farmers about the different technologies tested in their fields as well as overall project activities. First year CA activities for maize primarily focused on seeding on flat land with a power tiller operated seeder (PTOS) and seeding with a bed former/planter on raised beds under reduced tillage. For rice, emphasis has been on direct-seeded rice with the PTOS, direct-seeded rice using a bed former/planter, and transplanting seedlings on raised beds.

In the Comilla project sites, locally managed by BARD, participants focused on SSNM trials. Three treatments for rice are currently being tested in these trials: farmers’ current fertilizer management practice, BRRI’s current recommendations, and the Nutrient Manager softwarebased recommendations. The goal of these comparison trials is to refine and evaluate Nutrient Manager and to optimize fertilizer recommendations to achieve the best benefits for farmers.

Representatives from the International Plant Nutritional Institute, Delhi and the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA) also attended the meeting.

Conservation agriculture training continues in Bihar, India

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Bihar1aThree years of sowing experience with conservation agriculture (CA) practices in a rice-wheat system at an agricultural outreach station (KVK) in the Jamui district of Bihar State in India have been successful. So far, results show that dry, direct-seeded rice or transplanted rice on permanent beds give higher yields than other crop establishment methods, said KVK agronomist P.K. Singh to visitors during a CA farmer’s field day.

Held on 19 October 2009, the event included 50 farmers, 10 service providers, and 9 representatives from the Bihar State Department of Agriculture. KVK’s program coordinator, R.N. Singh, opened the event with remarks on how increasing input costs and labor shortages are pushing up the cost of rice production in the predominantly rice-growing districts of Jamui and Lakheesarai. CA-based practices, he emphasized, are one way farmers can cut costs and improve yields, making farming more sustainable and economically viable. The district agricultural officer, Manoj Kumar, added that the introduction of winter maize will help diversify the current rice-wheat systems and will also improve productivity. He concluded with information about the government’s initiatives for and increased supply of quality seed and more mechanization.

Bihar2aLater in the day, farmers viewed various plots sown with different CA practices, during which they asked questions and saw CA machinery demonstrations. Dry, direct-seeded rice with anchored residues in a permanent no-till system caught the attention of many participants, along with the high-yielding, unpuddled transplanted rice on permanent beds. Farmers also discussed weed management practices for various crops with Ravi Gopal, agronomist for the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia (CSISA). The event was part of CSISA’s delivery objective for the central Bihar Hub.

First global meeting on Cereal Cyst Nematode Initiative

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The first international Cereal Cyst Nematode Initiative Conference took place in Antalya, Turkey, during 21-23 October 2009. The cereal cyst nematode has been gaining recognition in global wheat production areas, particularly rainfed ones, where it has caused yield losses of 20-50% in many countries. The conference drew more than 60 participants from 20 countries and there were more than 45 presentations on the status of the pest and on integrated control methods, with emphasis on host plant resistance.

The conference was coordinated by CIMMYT nematologists Julie Nicol and Amer Dababat of CIMMYT-Turkey as part of the ICARDA-CIMMYT Wheat Improvement Program (ICWIP) and with funding from CIMMYT, the CGIAR Systemwide Program on Integrated Pest Management (Sp-IPM), the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the ATSE Crawford Fund, Australia, and Syngenta. A 260 page proceedings was published and distributed. For further information, contact Julie Nicol (j.nicol@cgiar.org).

Machine mastery

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Nearly 50 two-wheel tractor operators in Bangladesh examined, adjusted, and tested several planting machines during in a four-day practical training course at the Wheat Research Center (WRC), Dinajpur. The Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute (BARI), the Bangladesh Rice Research Institute (BRRI), and CIMMYT organized the course, which ran during 12-15 October 2009 and focused not only on the operation, repair, and maintenance of farm machinery, but also on different crop establishment techniques.

Course leaders divided participants into groups of four and gave each a Sayre Smart Planter (SSP), a farming implement with built-in seed dispensers for multiple crops and a fertilizer application mechanism. The small group size allowed each person to practice converting the machine into its various modes: bed planter, strip tillage seeder, minimum tillage seeder, and zero tillage seeder. All participants then operated the machine in its numerous settings and learned seed calibration techniques for crops such as rice, wheat, jute, lentil, and chickpea. To ensure full understanding of SSP mechanics, each group dismantled the seeder, indentified its various parts, and then reassembled it.

On-hand to provide assistance were Enamul Haque, CIMMYT cropping systems agronomist; Israil Hossain of BARI; and Abdur Rahman, AKM Saiful Islam, and Bidhan Chandra Nath of BRRI. The Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Development Cooperation (BMZ), and USAID Famine Fund Projects funded the course.

Traveling workshop in Bangladesh brings together researchers and farmers

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The ACIAR-funded project “Sustainable intensification of rice-maize (R-M) systems in Bangladesh” organized a traveling workshop from 04 to 08 October in Rajshahi and Rangpur districts of Bangladesh for project-employed researchers and their supervisors in four collaborating organizations (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute-BARI; Bangladesh Rice Research Institute-BRRI; Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee-BRAC; and Rangpur Dinajpur Rural Services-RDRS). Two researchers from IRRI and CIMMYT offices in Bangladesh also participated in the workshop led by Jagadish Timsina, IRRI-CIMMYT senior scientist and project  leader/coordinator.

Participants visited trials on direct-seeded rice (DSR) using conservation agriculture (CA) technologies and nutrient management (NM) in farmers’ fields and research stations in five Upazillas (subdistricts) in Rangpur and Rajshahi districts. At each location, they were joined by local farmers already using the technologies who cited their advantages (e.g., higher yields, shorter crop cycles, and not having to wait for rain to begin planting).

During the workshop, participants viewed different machines that are used with CA technologies, such as the power-tiller operated seeder (PTOS), the zero-till drill, and the Sayre Smart Planter, as well as trials comparing farmers’ practices with different CA technologies (e.g., DSR sown on raised beds, on beds with the PTOS, or on strips using the PTOS). At BRRI Station, they observed a largescale, long term experiment sponsored by the Australian Center for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) on the R-M system focusing on DSR and transplanted rice (TPR) under different tillage practices (zero, conventional), weed control methods, and productivity and nutrient balances.

The highlight of the workshop was a visit to the ACIAR rice-maize on-farm trials in Alipur village in Durgapur Upazilla. Alipur farmers have been growing wheat and other crops on beds using CA technologies with assistance from the Bangladesh Regional Wheat Research Center (WRC) and CIMMYT, as well as TPR on manually-made beds using their own innovations. During discussions farmers mentioned some advantages of growing unpuddled TPR on beds: ease of management; less irrigation needed; fewer insects and rats; greater grainfilling; and higher grain yield. Another topic of discussion was the use of short-duration rice varieties (e.g., BRRI dhan 33, BRRI dhan 39, BINA dhan 7, and BU-1) to intensify cropping systems.

Finally, the workshop provided ample opportunity for project researchers and their supervisors to interact and share experiences, which will help cement their relationship and allow them to work together more effectively in the future.

CIMMYT continues with long-term, in-service training

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During the years 2005-08 there were several two and three-month comprehensive wheat improvement/pathology training programs at El Batán, Toluca, and the Ciudad Obregón research stations, with more than 40 participants from Asia and Africa. And this year CIMMYT’s headquarters hosted another long-term, in-service training course. Seventeen participants from 10 countries, including two women, attended the course “Wheat Improvement Course 2009,” which ran from 03 August to 02 October.

“I’m very happy to see you all here and that the training program at CIMMYT has been restarted,” said DG Tom Lumpkin at the course’s closing ceremony. “I hope we can continue to strengthen this type of training, make it longer and more intensive, and involve more participants in the coming years.”

The course focused on wheat breeding and taught participants how to run a wheat breeding program, apply new forms of wheat technology, and confidently participate in joint interdisciplinary¡ research. “The fields are the classroom…and are where we illustrate the application of theory,” said Reynaldo Villareal, coordinator of the course and adjunct professor of plant breeding and international agriculture at Cornell University. Nearly 55% of the course involved fieldwork at the El Batán and Toluca research stations. As a former CIMMYT wheat breeder, Villareal was able to arrange a diverse and demanding course schedule that, in addition to breeding, included pathology, physiology, molecular biology, industrial quality, bioinformatics, statistics, conservation agriculture, and geographic information systems.

“I’m very grateful to CIMMYT and everyone who helped with this course,” said Vinod Kumar Mishra, course participant and professor of genetics and wheat breeding at Banaras Hindu University, India (pictured second from right). “Wheat is the second largest crop in India, and India is the second largest wheat producer after China, so training for wheat breeders is extremely important for our country,” he said. Other countries represented included Pakistan, Yemen, Egypt, Bangladesh, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, China, and Sudan.

“Wheat improvement is an interdisciplinary collaboration,” Villareal said. “I hope CIMMYT can sustain similar training.”

Traveling seminar on conservation agriculture in Central Bihar, India

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The Central Bihar Hub for Conservation Agriculture (CA), the Cereal System Initiative for South Asia (CSISA), and Rajendra Agriculture University (RAU) organized a traveling seminar for farmers on 2-3 October 2009 in Bihar, India. The seminar, whose theme was the application of CA technologies to rice/wheat and rice/maize systems, began at the Regional Maize Research and Seed Production Center in Begusarai, continued in farmers’ fields at Bachwara (Samastipur) and Krishnawara (Vaishali), and ended at RAU in Pusa, Samastipur. Scientific and technical guidance was provided by Dr. S. Chowdhury, CIMMYT-India; Dr. M. Kumar, RAU agronomist; Dr. M.L. Chaudhari, Vice-Chancellor, RAU; Dr. I.S. Solanki, Head, IARIRS, Pusa; and Mr. Ravi Gopal, Hub Manager, CSISA.

Participating farmers from 10 districts of central Bihar viewed trials in farmers’ fields and listened to local farmers talk about their experiences with new technologies, such as zero-till for rice-wheat, that have increased their yields and reduced their production costs. A technology that particularly caught their eye was the double no-till rice-wheat and rice-maize system with residue retention, outstanding due to its intense biological activity, good crop growth, and fertile soil conditions. Farmers asked questions about specific subjects such as weed management in rice, the effect of residues for conserving moisture (of particular interest in this dry year), and nutrient management strategies.

On the second day, participants gathered for a technical meeting at RAU Pusa to discuss issues related to the adoption of CA technologies. Among other subjects, results of long-term rice-wheat and rice-maize trials and of farmer participatory research were presented, and strategies for reducing production costs and increasing farm productivity were discussed. Vice-Chancellor Chaudhari explained that RAU is strengthening its seed production and technology transfer capabilities for the benefit of farmers. Of particular use to farmers was the opportunity to present their views, success stories, and experiences with CA technologies, aswell as to voice problems relating to crop production, productivity, and marketing. Potential solutions (growing pulses to diversify the cropping systems; green manuring to help restore soil fertility and micronutrient availability) were suggested by attending scientists and technical staff.