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Tag: one-minute science

One-minute science: Cesar Petroli and genomic profiles

Written by Mary Donovan on . Posted in Videos.

Cesar Petroli, High-throughput Genotyping Specialist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), develops genomic profiles of DNA samples, generating tens or even hundreds of thousands of molecular markers. This helps the team to set up genetic diversity analysis, improve genebank collections management and identify genomic regions associated with the expression of important agronomic traits.

Watch him explain how this molecular information can help the breeding process, to ultimately help farmers face climate change and food security challenges.

One-minute science: Suchismita Mondal on breeding resilient wheat

Written by Rodrigo Ordóñez on . Posted in Videos.

Reduced water availability for irrigation and increasing temperatures are of great concern. These two factors can considerably affect wheat production and reduce grain yields.

Watch CIMMYT Wheat Breeder Suchismita Mondal explain — in just one minute — how breeders are developing wheat varieties that have stable grain yield under low water availability and high temperatures.

One-minute science: Trent Blare and blue maize products

Written by Rodrigo Ordóñez on . Posted in Videos.

Some of Mexico’s favorite dishes are taking on a new hue with blue corn chips, blue tortillas or blue tamales. But should breeders, millers, processors and farmer organizations invest in expanding the production of blue maize and blue maize products? Are consumers really interested, and are they willing to pay more?

CIMMYT markets and value chain specialist Trent Blare explains, in one minute, the results of his study, which gives insight into Mexican consumers’ preferences and demand for blue maize tortillas. Consumers near Mexico City perceived blue maize tortillas to taste better and were willing to pay up to a third more to buy them for special family events or to consume them in a restaurant .

One-minute science: Khondoker Mottaleb on how to meet food demand by 2030

Written by Mary Donovan on . Posted in Videos.

How can we ensure we have enough food to meet the demand by 2030? First, we need to understand food consumption patterns and how they are influenced by variables such as urbanization, population and economic growth, income, beliefs and more. 

Agricultural economist Khondoker Mottaleb is working on a project to examine food demand by 2030, considering these factors. Watch him share preliminary results — in just one minute.  

One-minute science: Jelle Van Loon explains mechanization for agriculture

Written by Mary Donovan on . Posted in Videos.

Mechanization is a process of introducing technology or farm equipment to increase field efficiency. CIMMYT’s mechanization work is context-specific, to help farmers have access to the appropriate tools that are new, smart and ideal for their unique farming conditions.  

Jelle Van Loon, CIMMYT mechanization specialist, explains how his team prototypes innovations that allow precision farming and supports different actors in the value chain from importers to policy-makers to create broader availability of farm equipment.  

One-minute science: Carolina Rivera explains wheat physiology

Written by Mary Donovan on . Posted in Videos. 1 Comment on One-minute science: Carolina Rivera explains wheat physiology

Wheat provides, on average, 20% of the calories and protein for more than 4.5 billion people in 94 developing countries. To feed a growing population, we need both better agronomic practices and to grow wheat varieties that can withstand the effects of climate change and resist various pests and diseases.

Watch CIMMYT Wheat Physiologist Carolina Rivera discuss — in just one minute — choosing and breeding desirable wheat traits with higher tolerance to stresses.