Genetic diversity and population structure of cowpea mutant collection using SSR and ISSR molecular markers.

Cowpea is a seed legume, important for food and nutritional security in Africa's arid and semi-arid zones. Despite its importance, cowpea is experiencing a loss of genetic diversity due to climate change. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the genetic variability of 33 cowpea mutant collections using 20 SSR and 13 ISSR markers.

Stochastic simulation to optimize rice breeding at IRRI.

Introduction: Genetic improvement in rice increased yield potential and improved varieties for farmers over the last decades. However, the demand for rice is growing while its cultivation faces challenges posed by climate change. To address these challenges, rice breeding programs need to adopt efficient breeding strategies to provide a steady increase in the rate of genetic gain for major traits.

The Biochar Amendment Improves Tomato Growth and Yield under Deficit Irrigation in Sandy Loam Soil in Senegal.

Poor agricultural soil management practices and water use optimisation in irrigation are major challenges facing crop production in Senegal. To address these problems, a factorial experiment was conducted in 2021 and 2022 to investigate the effects of biochar on tomato growth and yield in sandy loam soil under different irrigation levels. Treatments included three biochar treatments (B2 = 30 t·ha, B1 = 15 t·ha, and B0 = 0 t·ha) and three irrigation levels (full irrigation, W0 = 8 L·m·day; medium deficit irrigation, W1 = 6 L·m·day which is 75% of W0; and deficit irrigation, W2 = 4 L·m·day, 50% of W0).

Rice developmental stages modulate rhizosphere bacteria and archaea co-occurrence and sensitivity to long-term inorganic fertilization in a West African Sahelian agro-ecosystem.

Background: Rhizosphere microbial communities are important components of the soil-plant continuum in paddy field ecosystems. These rhizosphere communities contribute to nutrient cycling and rice productivity. The use of fertilizers is a common agricultural practice in rice paddy fields.