CIAT Conference Papers

Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/51667

Browse

Now showing 1 - 20 of 957

Environmental Performance of Grazing Beef Cattle Systems in the Well- Drained Neotropical Savannas of Colombia: A Review of Results from Modelling Research
(Conference Paper, 2019-12-17) Ramírez Restrepo, Carlos Alberto; Vera Infanzón, Raul R.; Rao, Idupulapati M.
This paper is based on results obtained on live weight (LW) dynamics and it reviews the carbon (C) footprint of cattle- pasture systems where cattle were experimentally tested following representative commercial farming practices in the Colombian well-drained native neotropical savannas. We found that the derived carbon dioxide-equivalent efficiency indices, generated from modelling efforts, could explain the observed variation in LW fluxes related to cattle categories, animal physiological stages and specific farming conditions.
Pig characteristics, bio-physical and management aspects that influence rectal temperature in respect to heat stress
(Conference Paper, 2019-08-02) Zaake, Paul; Ouma, George O.; Marshall, Karen; Ndambi, A.; Notenbaert, An Maria Omer; Paul, Birthe K.; Dione, Michel M.
There is limited attention to impacts of climate change on pigs in Uganda by stakeholders despite the potential vulnerability of pigs to climate change, especially heat stress. Pigs are very sensitive to heat stress as they do not have functioning sweat glands (as other livestock species do) and have small lungs which reduces their ability to disseminate heat by panting. Data was collected from 104 households and 259 pigs in Ojwina and Barr sub- counties- Lira district were assessed. Four gender disaggregated focus group discussions were organized. The study was conducted during day in January and early February 2018 against a background of potential heat stress in December and January in pigs. Rectal temperature was the key heat stress indicator as has been widely used by other researchers. For analysis, only pigs whose data was collected in afternoon were considered in the model. Pigs at lower altitude, lactating, castrated, and on free range had higher rectal temperature. The age and heart girth did not significantly influence the rectal temperature of the pig. Air temperature or relative humidity did not independently influence rectal temperature, however the interaction of both air temperature and relative humidity at the pig farm, significantly influenced rectal temperature.
Does the adoption of soil carbon enhancing practices pay off? Evidence on maize yields from Western Kenya.
(Conference Paper, 2019-09-23) Kanyenji, George Magambo; Oluoch-Kosura,Willis; Onyango, Cecilia Moraa; Karanja Ng'ang'a, Stanley
Soil carbon enhancing practices (SCEPs) have been proven to be low-cost solutions in enhancing agricultural productivity and alleviate the detrimental effects of climate change. These practices can be adopted as complementary or as substitute practices due to their associated ecological benefits and cost. In view of this, there is limited literature on the impact of adopting a combination of SCEPs since their effect may be lower or higher than individual technologies. A structured survey was utilized to collect data from 334 households in Western Kenya. The study utilized the multinomial endogenous treatment effect model to assess the determinants and impact of adopting on maize yield. The results reveal that adoption is influenced by plots specific characteristics (distance to the plot and tenure system), external support factors (access to credit and farmers participation in markets), tropical livestock units and literacy level. In addition, the results showed that adoption of farmyard manure, intercropping, and intercropping and farmyard manure combination has a significant and positive impact on maize yield. This implies that there is a need to promote SCEPs adoption among smallholder farmers given its positive impact and associated low cost of implementation
An evaluation of the impact of soil carbon enhancing practices on farm output in Western Kenya
(Conference Paper, 2019-09-23) Karanja Ng'ang'a, Stanley; Anyango Jalang'o, Dorcas; Girvetz, Evan Hartunian
Sustainable agricultural practices that enhance soil carbon simultaneously improve farm yields and income. Despite the expansive literature on adoption of soil carbon practices in Kenya, there is limited information on the impact of the elemental practices on farm output. This study attempts to fill this literature gap by evaluating the impact of soil carbon practices on farm output in Western Kenya. Results show that agroforestry, maize-legume intercropping, terracing and use of inorganic fertilizer are dominant soil carbon practices. Howbeit, the propensity score matching results reveal that maize-legume intercropping solely has observable impact on farm output. On average, farmers involved in the practice have an increase of 27% on maize output as opposed to those who don’t, and as such adoption could improve their welfare. The findings suggests that interventions targeted on facilitating the uptake of maize-legume intercropping among resource-poor rural smallholder farmers should be pursued.
Aerial Monitoring of Rice Crop Variables using an UAV Robotic System
(Journal Article, 2019) Devia, Carlos Andres; Rojas Bustos, Juan Pablo; Petro, Eliel E.; Mondragon, Iván Fernando; Patino, D.; Rebolledo, C.; Colorado, Julian D.
This paper presents the integration of an UAV for the autonomous monitoring of rice crops. The system integrates image processing and machine learning algorithms to analyze multispectral aerial imagery. Our approach calculates 8 vegetation indices from the images at each stage of rice growth: vegetative, reproductive and ripening. Multivariable regressions and artificial neural networks have been implemented to model the relationship of these vegetation indices against two crop variables: biomass accumulation and leaf nitrogen concentration. Comprehensive experimental tests have been conducted to validate the setup. The results indicate that our system is capable of estimating biomass and nitrogen with an average correlation of 80% and 78% respectively.
Web Application for Spatial Modelling of Field Trials
(Conference Paper, 2019-07) Aparicio, Johan Steven; Ariza-Suárez, Daniel; Raatz, Bodo
In plant improvement experimental designs are used to decompose the total phenotypic variance observed in field experiments into at least two components: A genetic and a non-genetic component that is attributable to the spatial variation or environment. Recently, new methodologies for the modelling of spatial trends have been published using the arrangement of the experimental units in the field. These methodologies have shown an improvement in the prediction of the genetic potential of evaluated genotypes. However, the use of these tools may be limited because of the cost to access a licensed product and/or the requirement to be familiar with the language and environment that was used for their implementation. This, in turn limits the data analysis efficiency for decision making. These limitations led to the development of Mr.Bean, an easy-to-access, practical and user-friendly tool that integrates the spatial modelling capabilities of SpATS, the graphical versatility of plotly and the interactive and simple construction approach offered by Shiny for the development of Web applications. This tool incorporates descriptive analyses, measures of dispersion and centralization, graphical visualization for comparing multiple variables, the adjustment of mixed models with or without spatial components and the identification of outlier data. All these capabilities are aimed at plant breeders and in general people working with agricultural field data to make precise decisions more quickly
Genomic selection on a panel of elite Andean breeding lines of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)
(Conference Paper, 2018-10) Ariza-Suárez, Daniel; Hoz, Juan Fernando de la; Macea Choperena, Eliana del Pilar; Mayor, V.M.; Raatz, Bodo
Common bean breeding in the tropics has benefited from the use of marker assisted selection to accelerate the breeding cycle. It uses individual markers previously identified to be significantly associated with targeted QTLs. However, some limitations arise when identifying and quantifying a large number of minor effect loci governing quantitative traits through standard QTL analysis and marker tagging. Genomic selection (GS) offers a promising approach for breeding by using many markers as predictors of the performance of individuals in a population1,2. This alternative strategy does not provide direct information about the underlying loci and genes that control quantitative traits, but instead offers a valuable selection criterion to be implemented in a breeding scheme. Different GS studies have been recently reported in plant breeding, targeting complex traits for many species with interesting results. In this study we want to assess the prediction accuracy of different genomic selection models in a collection of Andean bean breeding lines from CIAT.
Agricultural intensification pathways and agroenvironmental trade offs in the Greater Mekong
(Conference Paper, 2019-08) Paul, Birthe K.; Tungani, Victor; Epper, Carole A.; Tschopp, Damien; Burra, Dharani Dhar; Long, Chau Thi Minh; Douxchamps, Sabine
Unpacking Intra-Household Decision-Making on Smallholder Farms in Colombia and Nicaragua to Foster Climate Change Adaptation
(Report, 2018) Godek, Wendy; García, María Alejandra
The dichotomy between state- and market-oriented agricultural development narratives: Beyond the rational choice explanation?
(Conference Paper, 2018) Mockshell, Jonathan Yaw; Birner, Regina
While there is renewed interest to promote agricultural development, there is a lively policy debate on the appropriate instruments to achieve this goal. While some actors argue that agricultural development requires strong government support and input subsidies, others criticize those state-focused instruments and favor market-oriented approaches. This paper aimed at contributing to a better understanding of the prevailing policy narratives in the agricultural policy making landscape, using Senegal as a case study example. Transcripts of in-depth interviews conducted with policy stakeholders in Senegal are the primary data source. The empirical analysis reveals that, there are two main coalitions with opposing policy narratives; “agricultural support” narrative coalition and “agricultural support critique” narrative coalition. The story-line of the agricultural support critique emphasizes that, the government provision of input subsidies is ineffective while story-line of the proponents of such policies consider support essential to promote agricultural development. The analysis of the narratives suggests that, the agricultural support coalition has a story-line with a beginning (low productivity caused by lack of inputs), middle (providing subsidized inputs) and end (increased productivity). In contrast, the agricultural support critique essentially presents “non-stories” and “counter stories” (focusing on alternative storyline of what should not be done).
Sustainable and Equitable Increases in Fruit and Vegetable Productivity and Consumption are Needed to Achieve Global Nutrition Security
(Conference Paper, 2018-08) Chaudhary, Abhishek; Kablan, Ahmed; Edwards, Alison; Stratton, Anne Elise; Otto, Caroline; Stöckle, Claudio O.; Khoury, Colin K.; Sonke, Daniel; Gustafson, Dave; Klauser, Dominik; Holley, M Franklin; Thoma, Greg; Blonk, Hans; Otten, Jennifer; Nelson, Gerald C.; Bogard, Jessica R.; Finley, John; Guan, Kaiyu; Schaffner, Kate; Wiebe, Keith D.; Steenwerth, Kerri; Bryan, Kevin; Sibanda, Lindiwe Majele; Frank, Markus; Fukagawa, Naomi K; Naylor, Rosamond Lee; Asseng, Senthold; Phatak, Sumira; Rowe, Sylvia; Hess, Tim; Sulser, Timothy B.; Chen, Wei-Ting; Li, Yan; Conrad, Zach
Increased intake of fruits and vegetables (F&V) is recommended for most populations across the globe. However, the current state of global and regional food systems is such that F&V availability, the production required to sustain them, and consumer food choices are all severely deficient to meet this need. Given the critical state of public health and nutrition worldwide, as well as the fragility of the ecological systems and resources on which they rely, there is a great need for research, investment, and innovation in F&V systems to nourish our global population. Here, we review the challenges that must be addressed in order to expand production and consumption of F&V sustainably and on a global scale. At the conclusion of the workshop, the gathered participants drafted the “Aspen/Keystone Declaration” (see below), which announces the formation of a new “Community of Practice,” whose area of work is described in this position paper. The need for this work is based on a series of premises discussed in detail at the workshop and summarized herein. To surmount these challenges, opportunities are presented for growth and innovation in F&V food systems. The paper is organized into five sections based on primary points of intervention in global F&V systems: (1) research and development, (2) information needs to better inform policy & investment, (3) production (farmers, farming practices, and supply), (4) consumption (availability, access, and demand), and (5) sustainable & equitable F&V food systems and supply chains.
Environmental Analyses to Inform Transitions to Sustainable Diets in Developing Countries: a Component of the EATS Project
(Conference Paper, 2018-10) Heller, Martin C.; Walchale, Abhijeet; Heard, Brent R.; Hoey, Lesli; Khoury, Colin K.; Haan, Stef de; Burra, Dharani Dhar; Thi, Thanh Duong; Osiemo, Jamleck; Jones, Andrew D.
Sustainable diets are an environmental, economic and public health imperative, but identifying clear intervention points is challenging. The Entry points to Advance Transitions towards Sustainable diets (EATS) project seeks to repackage existing data, combined with an interview-informed awareness of current national and sub-national policy processes, to inform food system-level decision making. Here we view historic trends in food supply in Vietnam and Kenya as a proxy for national average diets, and consider them in terms of the greenhouse gas emissions and cumulative energy demand associated with producing that food. Economic prosperity in Vietnam in recent decades has led to increases in meat consumption and, in turn, amplified increases in diet level environmental impacts. Mild levels of beef consumption in Vietnam have now overcome the most popular meat, pork, as the dominant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, historically consistent levels of dairy and beef in Kenya dominate diet-level environmental impacts. This preliminary work will be integrated into later stages of the EATS project to promote systemic approaches to sustainable development.
Biofortification in underutilized staple crops for nutrition in Asia and Africa
(Conference Paper, 2018) Pfeiffer, Wolfgang H.; Andersson, Meike S.; Govindaraj, Mahalingam; Parminder, Virk; Cherian, Binu; Illona, Paul; Magezi, Sylvia; Mulambu, Joseph
Malnutrition is one of the biggest public health challenges of the century with about 2 billion people affected by it globally. Biofortification is the process of breeding micronutrients traits into staple food crops, which is bioavailable to make a positive measurable impact to the population that eats such staples on a daily basis. It is a cost-effective, sustainable strategy and complementary in nature to the existing market interventions. Iron pearl millet, iron beans, vitamin A cassava and orange sweet potato can contribute to increase household nutrition in the Asia and Africa. Over the years evidences gathered by partners in crop breeding, nutrition studies and delivery experiences will help to build the foundation for scaling out further to reach millions who need the most.
Aerial mapping of rice crops using mosaicing techniques for vegetative index monitoring
(Conference Paper, 2018-06) Rojas, Juan P.; Devia, Carlos Andres; Petro, Eliel E.; Martínez, Carol; Mondragon, Iván Fernando; Patino, D.; Rebolledo, María Camila; Colorado, J.
In Colombia up to 40% of yield variability is due to the effects of climate variations. Rapid phenotyping methods are needed to properly assess the crop and improve production rates. In this paper, we propose to focus on developing a noninvasive system for speeding up monitoring tasks in rice crops. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles are used to gather multispectral visual information for high-throughput crop monitoring. Geo-referenced digital surface models of the crop are generated based on image mosaicing techniques to allow for the autonomous computation of several vegetative indices. This paper presents the implemented system (hardware and software) and a field report of experiments carried out at different crop growth stages.
Phyto-pathogens and Soil Nutrients Shape Biological Control of Invasive Mealybugs in Asia’s Cassava Crops
(Conference Paper, 2017-09) Wyckhuys, Kris A.G.
‘Nothing Kills Insects’, or How Public and Farmer Perceptions Affect Success Rates of Biological Control
(Conference Paper, 2017-09) Wyckhuys, Kris A.G.; Bentley, J.W.; Fredrix, M.; Lie, R.
Conservation Priorities for Tree Crop Wild Relatives in the United States
(Conference Paper, 2017) Khoury, Colin K.; Greene, Stephanie L.; Williams, Karen A.; Sosa, Chrystian C.; Richards, Chris
Crop wild relatives native to the United States have proved useful as genetic resources in breeding more productive, nutritious, and resilient crops. Their utilization is expected to increase with better information about the species and improving breeding tools. But this utilization may be constrained by their limited representation in genebanks and the ongoing loss of wild populations to habitat modification, invasive species, pollution, over-collecting, and climate change. We report on a series of related initiatives contributing to conservation of crop wild relatives in the United States. An inventory of wild relatives has documented taxa related to a broad range of food, forage and feed, medicinal, ornamental, and industrial crops. Valuable species are threatened in the wild, and few accessions of these taxa are currently conserved ex situ. Potential distribution models based on historical occurrence information are clarifying where the species diversity of wild relatives is likely to be concentrated, and a gap analysis methodology is facilitating efforts to identify those taxa and geographic areas of particular conservation concern. A novel collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service and USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is making progress studying, collecting for genebank conservation, and protecting in situ a number of crop wild relative species. We discuss the value of broadening partnerships between agencies and aligning with ongoing regional and international initiatives to conserve, research, and utilize crop wild relative diversity.
Caracteristicas agronomicas de la produccion de raices y tuberculos: implicaciones para el diagnostico
(Conference Paper, 1989) Moreno, R.A.
Important agronomic characteristics of common root and tuber crop production systems in the tropics are indicated for crops including cassava, yam, sweet potato, and edible aroids. Brief comments are also included on aspects that help correctly interpret the information obtained during the characterization process. The general context of agricultural production is analyzed, and within this context, the particular case of root crops, where the process of transformation into derived products, at both farm and regional levels, may condition the agronomic practices used. Energy input concentrated in 3 activities, namely land preparation, weed control, and harvesting and storage. The characterization process of production systems should be complemented with information on preparation of planting material, planting times, intercropping, and applications of chemicals. When characterizing a production system, the structure and operation of the production unit are important aspects as well as lot assignment, lot size, lot rotation, labor allocation, and use of capital and inputs. Important interactions occur between crop and animal production systems, annual and perennial crops, and perennial and food crops. Regional characteristics that also agronomically condition root crop production systems include land distribution, spatial distribution of production units, soil resources (fertility, topography), and climate. Steps to gather agronomic information are listed. (CIAT)
Informe sobre la semilla de especies forrajeras obtenida por el CIAT en Costa Rica
(Conference Paper, 1990) Diulgheroff, S.
Se informan los objetivos, actividades en pastos mejorados y multiplicacion de semillas (produccion y rendimiento, calidad e investigacion), los principales logros, las limitaciones y las perspectivas futuras del programa creado en Costa Rica por el CIAT, para la seleccion y multiplicacion de forrajeras promisorias. Se destaca el establecimiento de ensayos regionales con pastos mejorados, y se dan datos de produccion y rendimiento de semilla de Stylosanthes guianensis, Andropogon gayanus, Brachiaria brizantha, B. decumbens, B. dictyoneura, B. humidicola, Centrosema macrocarpum, C. brasilianum, C. acutifolium, C. pubescens, Arachis pintoi y Desmodium ovalifolium, durante 1987-89. Se senalan como logros principales los vol. significativos de semilla experimental y basica y la definicion de zonas agroecologicas de alta potencialidad productiva. Se incluyen datos de porcentajes de germinacion de semillas de algunas especies y un resumen de la fenologia de diferentes gramineas y leguminosas. (CIAT)
Present situation of cassava production and the research and development strategy in Vietnam
(Conference Paper, 2001) Pham, Van Bien; Hoang, Kim; Wang, Joel J.; Howeler, Reinhardt H.
Vietnam produces annually more than 2 million tonnes of cassava fresh roots and is ranked 13th in terms of cassava production in the world. In Vietnam cassava has great potential both for domestic consumption and for export. In North Vietnam, cassava is grown for food and animal feed by small farmer households. However, in South Vietnam cassava has become a cash crop and is an important raw material for cassava processing factories, which have a total annual processing capacity of one million tonnes of fresh roots. The main constraints in cassava production in Vietnam are fluctuating prices as well as marketing problems, and slow adoption of new varieties and improved technologies in remote areas. Low soil fertility in cassava growing areas is also an important problem, as is the lack of processing facilities. Cassava research in Vietnam has made remarkable progress since 1988 when Vietnam began its cooperation with CIAT and started taking part in the Asian Cassava Research Network. Further progress in cassava production was achieved when Vietnam established its Cassava Research and Extension Network, in close cooperation with starch processing factories, especially Vedan Vietnam Enterprise Corp. Ltd. New high yield cassava varieties (KM94, KM60 SM937-26, KM98-1, KM95-3, KM95) and more sustainable production practices (fertilizer application, intercropping or rotation with beans or peanut, erosion control and weed control) has increased the economic effectiveness of cassava production, especially in the Southeastern region. In order to transfer new technologies to cassava households, Farmer Participatory Research (FPR) was conducted in mountainous and hilly areas of North Vietnam. The first phase of this project was quite successful. Presently, the second phase has expanded into the Central Coastal and Southeastern Regions. The use of cassava roots and leaves for animal feed are also being studied. Biotechnology has initially been applied in lysine and modified starch processing. Our cassava research strategy for the future consists of the following: further advances in cassava breeding and in production practices; improving soil fertility of cassava growing areas; planning and establishing production areas for processing factories; developing post-harvest technologies, and expanding markets for cassava products. The development of high starch and high yield varieties and the adoption of sustainable cassava production practices will help to maintain total cassava production while the growing areas can be reduced. This will create a strong incentive for the development of cassava industrial processing and diversification of end-products, in order to satisfy the increasing demand for cassava-based products by our people.

Browse

Recent Submissions