ILRI feed and forage development program outputs
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Item A genome-wide association study of biomass yield and feed quality in buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L.)(Journal Article, 2024-02-06) Negawo, Alemayehu T.; Muktar, Meki S.; Gutiérrez, R.A.S.; Habte, Ermias; Muchugi, Alice; Jones, Christopher S.The development of modern genomic tools has helped accelerate genetic gains in the breeding program of food crops. More recently, genomic resources have been developed for tropical forages, providing key resources for developing new climate-resilient high-yielding forage varieties. In this study, we present a genome-wide association study for biomass yield and feed quality traits in buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L. aka Pennisetum ciliare L.). Genome-wide markers, generated using the DArTSeq platform and mapped onto the Setaria italica reference genome, were used for the genome-wide association study. The results revealed several markers associated with biomass yield and feed quality traits. A total of 78 marker–trait associations were identified with R2 values ranging from 0.138 to 0.236. The marker–trait associations were distributed across different chromosomes. Of these associations, the most marker–trait associations (23) were observed on Chr9, followed by Chr5 with 12. The fewest number of marker–trait associations were observed on Chr4 with 2. In terms of traits, 17 markers were associated with biomass yield, 24 with crude protein, 26 with TDN, 14 with ADF, 10 with NDF and 6 with DMI. A total of 20 of the identified markers were associated with at least two traits. The identified marker–trait associations provide a useful genomic resource for the future improvement and breeding of buffel grass.Item Evaluation of germination and early seedling growth of different grasses irrigated with treated mine water(Journal Article, 2024-10-08) Mangwane, M.; Madakadze, I.C.; Nherera-Chokuda, F.V.; Dube, Sikhalazo; Mndela, M.; Letsoalo, N.; Tjelele, T.J.Coal mining is known to have negative impacts on the environment, necessitating land rehabilitation after mining activities. Amongst the problems associated with coal mining is the accumulation of acid mine drainage characterized by large amounts of heavy metals and high acidity. The impact of these environmental problems on the ecosystem around mining areas underscores a need to devise strategies that will ensure sustainable restoration of the ecosystem integrity to ensure environmental protection. Of these, treatment of acid mine drainage using calcium sulfate dihydrate, which is subsequently used for irrigation during phytoremediation, holds great promise for restoration of open-cast mines. However, although grasses are used for rehabilitation of coal mined areas, the impacts of treated mine water on the germination, seedling emergence, and plant growth of grasses are not well known. The aim of the study was to evaluate the germination and early seedling growth responses of different forage grasses to treated mine water. Seven forage grass species were selected, with four species represented by two varieties while others were represented by one variety, totaling 11 forage grasses. For each plant entry, 100 seeds were placed in J.R. Petri’s dishes lined with Whatman No. 2 filter paper and watered with distilled and mine water to assess germination. For the seedling establishment experiment, only five species were studied, in which twenty seeds per species were sown in pots containing mine soil and irrigated using distilled and treated mine water. The final germination percentage (FGP), germination rate index (GRI), corrected germination rate index (CGRI), and T50 were determined for the germination trail and total biomass was assessed for the seedling growth trail. The highest FGP for all grasses was attained under controlled conditions, using distilled water, ranging from 38–94%. All grasses germinated when watered using treated mine water and had a FGP ranging from 20–91%. Relative to distilled water, GRI and CGRI were highest only for L. multiflorum cv AgriBoost when seeds were watered using the treated mine water. All grasses watered with treated mine water produced high biomass for the first two weeks, after which biomass production started to decline. Two grasses, Eragrostis curvula cv Ermelo and Lolium multiflorum cv Archie, showed tolerance to treated mine water irrespective of its high electrical conductivity (557 mS∙m−1). Therefore, these grasses could be used in the rehabilitation of coal-mined areas irrigated with treated mine water.Item Training workshop on quality seed production and testing for conservation and distribution of germplasm to enhance food system transformation and climate adaptation(Report, 2024-11-30) Negawo, Alemayehu T.; Olbana, Tamiru; Habte, Ermias; Fentahun, Mekuanent; Dawit, Woubit; Jones, Christopher S.Item Forage development and input supply service delivery through cooperatives: lessons from ILSSI irrigated fodder project(Presentation, 2024-11-08) Bezabih, MelkamuItem Advanced training on NIRS and build CGIAR-NARES forage and fodder crops breeding networks for common data management and exchange: Training report(Report, 2024-11) Hatew, Bayissa; Prasad, Kodukula V.S.V.; Aouzal, Khadija; Jones, Christopher S.Item Assessing the fodder potentials of drought-tolerant maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids in West Africa(Poster, 2024-11-29) Amole, Tunde A.; Adekeye, Adetayo; Bakare, Bazit; Meseka, S.; Mengesha, W.; Menkir, A.Item Training farmers in crop residue evaluation and simple ration formulation in Mali(Report, 2024-07-30) Amole, Tunde A.; Sow, AhmadouItem Evaluation of selected improved forage legume varieties in Northern Uganda(Report, 2024-02-28) Mudde, B.; Obong, S.; Turyagyenda, L.; Businge, Martha; Karimi, P.; Ahumuza, Ronnie; Lukuyu, Ben A.Item Building capacity and resources for genomic prediction in forage grass and legume breeding(Report, 2024-12) Jones, Chris; Jauregui, Rosa NoemiItem Forage Seed Commercialization in Mixed Farming System of Ethiopia(Report, 2024-12-30) Tessema, Fikadu; Gebreyes, Million; Mekonnen, KinduItem Biomass yield of tree lucerne at different cutting frequencies and height(Report, 2024-12-30) Mekonnen, Kindu; Bezabih, Melkamu; Amene, Tesfaye; Alene, Temesgen; Gebreyes, Million; Seifu , Haimanot; Whitbread, Anthony M.Item The effect of cutting time on feed quality of different Brachiaria species grown under irrigation in Afar, Ethiopia(Report, 2024-11-15) Yesuf, R.; Habte, Ermias; Mengistu, A.; Jones, Christopher S.Item Theory of change for the dairy value chain in Ethiopia, developed for the CGIAR Initiative Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion(Report, 2024-12-15) Mekuriaw, Zeleke; Meseret, Selam; Temesgen, Wudu; Derseh, Melkamu; Marshall, Karen; Baltenweck, IsabelleThe CGIAR Initiative Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING) is an initiative that focuses on sustainable animal productivity. This initiative aims to contribute to transforming livestock sectors in target countries to make them more productive, resilient, equitable and sustainable (see Box 1 on how this objective will be achieved). The initiative is working in seven countries located in East Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda), West Africa (Mali), Southeast Asia (Vietnam) and South Asia (Nepal) and works on 15 livestock value chains in total.Item Training Workshop on the Gendered Feed Assessment Tool (G-FEAST) for Mexican National Agricultural Research Systems and CIMMYT staff(Report, 2024-11-30) Lukuyu, Ben A.; Gutiérrez, Sánchez; Kabugi, AssenathItem Get ready for a visual feast! Join in for the G-FEAST field testing tools exercise at our training workshop – where pictures tell the story!(Presentation, 2024-11-21) Lukuyu, Ben A.; Kabugi, AssenathItem Intersecting factors in designing youth interventions in the pig value chain in Mukono and Masaka, Uganda(Brief, 2024-12-17) Namatovu, Jane; Njuguna-Mungai, Esther; Farnworth, Cathy; Ahumuza, Ronnie; Wairagala, Pamela; Achandi, Esther Leah; Lukuyu, Ben A.; Ouma, Emily A.; Galiè, AlessandraYouth unemployment in Africa is a big challenge (Sumberg, et al., 2021; Asciutti et al., 2016), and as a result, a number of programs have been initiated to create job opportunities for the youth (Filmer and Fox, 2014). A renewed emphasis has been placed on the potential of the agricultural sector as a source of youth employment (MAAIF, 2017). Through these efforts, progress has been made in understanding youth engagement in agriculture and promoting farming as a business through market linkages, inputs (seeds, chemicals), training/capacity building, providing start-up capital and working through groups (Rietveld, et al., 2020; Turolla et al., 2017). Relatively limited efforts, however, have been undertaken on youth employment in the livestock sector (Nchanji et al., 2023). In Uganda, more than 79% of rural youth work in agriculture on family farms, with young women more likely to be underemployed than young men (UN Women, 2021). thereby widening the gender gap. With about 70% of agriculture households engaged in livestock rearing as a form of employment and given that the most common pig production system in Uganda is smallholder farming (Lukuyu et al., 2021), the sector presents huge potential for engaging youth (UN Women, 2021). Piggery has been recognized as an enterprise with great potential, especially for women who may not traditionally be allowed to own larger livestock such as cattle (Patel & Goyena, 2019) but can raise small livestock species, for example, pigs, in the backyard (Tatwangire, 2014). The potential for youth employment through livestock and, more specifically, in the pig value chain is a topic of significant importance. This youth research brief highlights some of the findings from a qualitative study undertaken to investigate youth roles and aspirations in the pig value chain to identify entry points for youth engagement. The brief is part of research undertaken by the gender equity and social inclusion team of the CGIAR Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion (SAPLING) in Uganda. SAPLING is funded by one CGIAR and led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI).Item ILRI–university partnerships promote forage technologies for Ethiopian farmers: Food and Forage Development Research(Brief, 2024-12-15) Negawo, Alemayehu T.; Teshome, Abel; Habte, Ermias; Muktar, Meki S.; Muluneh, Y.; Balemi, S.; Beyero, N.; Bekele, N.; Adie, Aberra; Bezabih, Melkamu; Jones, Christopher S.Item Sustainable animal production report- Feeds and forages pillar(Report, 2024-12-20) Karimi, Peggy; Mwendia, Solomon; Odhiambo, Ruth; Notenbaert, An; Peters, Michael; Jones, ChrisItem Assessing gender dynamics in feed and forage production and utilization in Nakasongola District, Uganda(Report, 2024-12-30) Njiru, Nelly; Njuguna-Mungai, Esther; Businge, Martha; Terfa, Zelalem; Galiè, Alessandra; Namatovu, Jane; Maina, Kevin; Ahumuza, Ronnie; Lukuyu, Ben A.Item A journey towards a gender-responsive tool for livestock feed assessments(Brief, 2024-12-30) Njiru, Nelly; Njuguna-Mungai, Esther; Terfa, Zelalem; Galiè, Alessandra; Namatovu, Jane; Businge, Martha; Duncan, Alan J.; Lukuyu, Ben A.