, , and are emerging preharvest maize ear rot pathogens in Ethiopia.

Fusarium ear rot (FER) and Gibberella ear rot (GER) caused by Fusarium species are major diseases affecting maize production in Ethiopia. In addition to reducing quality and yield, these fungi can produce mycotoxins that contaminate maize kernels and, thereby, pose health hazards to humans and livestock. A survey was conducted in 10 administrative zones of Ethiopia within the major maize-growing regions of the country to identify the species of Fusarium associated with ear rot.

Edited eukaryotic translation initiation factors confer resistance against maize lethal necrosis.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), which is caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus along with a potyvirus, has threatened the food security of smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa. Mutations in eukaryotic translation initiation factors (eIFs), which also facilitate virus genome translation, are known to confer variable resistance against viruses. Following phylogenetic analysis, we selected two eIF4E proteins from maize as the most likely candidates to facilitate MLN infection.

Transmission, localization, and infectivity of seedborne maize chlorotic mottle virus.

Maize lethal necrosis is a destructive virus disease of maize caused by maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) in combination with a virus in the family Potyviridae. Emergence of MLN is typically associated with the introduction of MCMV or its vectors and understanding its spread through seed is critical for disease management. Previous studies suggest that although MCMV is detected on seed, the seed transmission rate of this virus is low.

Fighting Death for Living: Recent Advances in Molecular and Genetic Mechanisms Underlying Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease Resistance.

Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) disease, caused by a synergistic co-infection of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and any member of the family, was first reported in EasternAfrica (EA) a decade ago. It is one of the most devastating threats to maize production in these regions since it can lead up to 100% crop loss. Conventional counter-measures have yielded some success; however, they are becoming less effective in controlling MLN.

Meeting sustainable development goals via robotics and autonomous systems.

Robotics and autonomous systems are reshaping the world, changing healthcare, food production and biodiversity management. While they will play a fundamental role in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, associated opportunities and threats are yet to be considered systematically. We report on a horizon scan evaluating robotics and autonomous systems impact on all Sustainable Development Goals, involving 102 experts from around the world.

Identification of Genomic Regions Associated with Agronomic and Disease Resistance Traits in a Large Set of Multiple DH Populations.

Breeding maize lines with the improved level of desired agronomic traits under optimum and drought conditions as well as increased levels of resistance to several diseases such as maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is one of the most sustainable approaches for the sub-Saharan African region. In this study, 879 doubled haploid (DH) lines derived from 26 biparental populations were evaluated under artificial inoculation of MLN, as well as under well-watered (WW) and water-stressed (WS) conditions for grain yield and other agronomic traits. All DH lines were used for analyses of genotypic variability, association studies, and genomic predictions for the grain yield and other yield-related traits.

Discovery and Validation of a Recessively Inherited Major-Effect QTL Conferring Resistance to Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) Disease.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a viral disease with a devastating effect on maize production. Developing and deploying improved varieties with resistance to the disease is important to effectively control MLN; however, little is known about the causal genes and molecular mechanism(s) underlying MLN resistance. Screening thousands of maize inbred lines revealed KS23-5 and KS23-6 as two of the most promising donors of MLN resistance alleles.

Introgression of Maize Lethal Necrosis Resistance Quantitative Trait Loci Into Susceptible Maize Populations and Validation of the Resistance Under Field Conditions in Naivasha, Kenya.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), resulting from co-infection by maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) can cause up to 100% yield losses in maize in Africa under serious disease conditions. Maize improvement through conventional backcross (BC) takes many generations but can significantly be shortened when molecular tools are utilized in the breeding process. We used a donor parent (KS23-6) to transfer quantitative trait loci (QTL) for resistance to MLN into nine adapted but MLN susceptible lines.

Maize lethal necrosis and the molecular basis of variability in concentrations of the causal viruses in co-infected maize plant.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease is new to Africa. First report was in Kenya in 2012, since then the disease has rapidly spread to most parts of eastern and central Africa region including Tanzania, Burundi, DRC Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia and similar symptoms were observed in South Sudan. Elsewhere, the disease was caused by infection of (MCMV) in combination with any of the potyviruses namely; (MDMV), (SCMV) and tritimovirus (WSMV).

Using Panel Community Surveys to Track the Impact of Crop Pests Over Time and Space - The Case of Maize Lethal Necrosis (MLN) Disease in Kenya from 2013 to 2018.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease appeared in Kenya in 2011, causing major damage. In a first survey of 121 communities in 2013, participants estimated the proportion of households affected and the yield loss in affected areas; from this survey, the overall loss was estimated at 22%, concentrated in western Kenya (94%). Efforts to combat the disease included planting resistant varieties, creating awareness of MLN management, and producing pathogen-free seed.

Genetic Dissection of Resistance to Gray Leaf Spot by Combining Genome-Wide Association, Linkage Mapping, and Genomic Prediction in Tropical Maize Germplasm.

Gray leaf spot (GLS) is one of the major maize foliar diseases in sub-Saharan Africa. Resistance to GLS is controlled by multiple genes with additive effect and is influenced by both genotype and environment. The objectives of the study were to dissect the genetic architecture of GLS resistance through linkage mapping and genome-wide association study (GWAS) and assessing the potential of genomic prediction (GP).

Combination of Linkage Mapping, GWAS, and GP to Dissect the Genetic Basis of Common Rust Resistance in Tropical Maize Germplasm.

Common rust (CR) caused by is one of the destructive fungal foliar diseases of maize and has been reported to cause moderate to high yield losses. Providing CR resistant germplasm has the potential to increase yields. To dissect the genetic architecture of CR resistance in maize, association mapping, in conjunction with linkage mapping, joint linkage association mapping (JLAM), and genomic prediction (GP) was conducted on an association-mapping panel and five F biparental populations using genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs).

Hybrid Breeding for MLN Resistance: Heterosis, Combining Ability, and Hybrid Prediction.

Prior knowledge on heterosis and quantitative genetic parameters on maize lethal necrosis (MLN) can help the breeders to develop numerous resistant or tolerant hybrids with optimum resources. Our objectives were to (1) estimate the quantitative genetic parameters for MLN disease severity, (2) investigate the efficiency of the prediction of hybrid performance based on parental and general combining ability (GCA) effects, and (3) examine the potential of hybrid prediction for MLN resistance or tolerance based on markers. Fifty elite maize inbred lines were selected based on their response to MLN under artificial inoculation.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN): Efforts toward containing the spread and impact of a devastating transboundary disease in sub-Saharan Africa.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), a complex viral disease, emerged as a serious threat to maize production and the livelihoods of smallholders in eastern Africa since 2011, primarily due to the introduction of maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV). The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), in close partnership with national and international partners, implemented a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional strategy to curb the spread of MLN in sub-Saharan Africa, and mitigate the impact of the disease. The strategy revolved around a) intensive germplasm screening and fast-tracked development and deployment of MLN-tolerant/resistant maize hybrids in Africa-adapted genetic backgrounds; b) optimizing the diagnostic protocols for MLN-causing viruses, especially MCMV, and capacity building of relevant public and private sector institutions on MLN diagnostics and management; c) MLN monitoring and surveillance across sub-Saharan Africa in collaboration with national plant protection organizations (NPPOs); d) partnership with the private seed sector for production and exchange of MLN pathogen-free commercial maize seed; and e) awareness creation among relevant stakeholders about MLN management, including engagement with policy makers.

Genetic Analysis of QTL for Resistance to Maize Lethal Necrosis in Multiple Mapping Populations.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) occurs when maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) co-infect maize plant. Yield loss of up to 100% can be experienced under severe infections. Identification and validation of genomic regions and their flanking markers can facilitate marker assisted breeding for resistance to MLN.

Genome-Wide Analyses and Prediction of Resistance to MLN in Large Tropical Maize Germplasm.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN), caused by co-infection of maize chlorotic mottle virus and sugarcane mosaic virus, can lead up to 100% yield loss. Identification and validation of genomic regions can facilitate marker assisted breeding for resistance to MLN. Our objectives were to identify marker-trait associations using genome wide association study and assess the potential of genomic prediction for MLN resistance in a large panel of diverse maize lines.

Genetic architecture of maize chlorotic mottle virus and maize lethal necrosis through GWAS, linkage analysis and genomic prediction in tropical maize germplasm.

Analysis of the genetic architecture of MCMV and MLN resistance in maize doubled-haploid populations revealed QTLs with major effects on chromosomes 3 and 6 that were consistent across genetic backgrounds and environments. Two major-effect QTLs, qMCMV3-108/qMLN3-108 and qMCMV6-17/qMLN6-17, were identified as conferring resistance to both MCMV and MLN. Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) is a serious threat to the food security of maize-growing smallholders in sub-Saharan Africa.

Discovery and validation of genomic regions associated with resistance to maize lethal necrosis in four biparental populations.

In sub-Saharan Africa, maize is the key determinant of food security for smallholder farmers. The sudden outbreak of maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease is seriously threatening the maize production in the region. Understanding the genetic basis of MLN resistance is crucial.

Genetic analysis of tropical maize inbred lines for resistance to maize lethal necrosis disease.

Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) disease is a recent outbreak in eastern Africa and has emerged as a significant threat to maize production in the region. The disease is caused by the co-infection of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and any member of potyviridae family. A total of 28 maize inbred lines with varying levels of tolerance to MLN were crossed in a half-diallel mating design, and the resulting 340 F crosses and four commercial checks were evaluated under MLN artificial inoculation at Naivasha, Kenya in 2015 and 2016 using an alpha lattice design with two replications.

Expression of iron-related proteins in the duodenum is up-regulated in patients with chronic inflammatory disorders.

Mechanisms responsible for derangements in Fe homeostasis in chronic inflammatory conditions are not entirely clear. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that inflammation affects the expression of Fe-related proteins in the duodenum and monocytes of patients with chronic inflammatory disorders, thus contributing to dysregulated Fe homeostasis. Duodenal mucosal samples and peripheral blood monocytes obtained from patients with chronic inflammatory disorders, namely ulcerative colitis (UC), Crohn's disease (CD) and rheumatoid arthritis, were used for gene and protein expression studies.