Livestock Fish Flagship: Feeds and Forages
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Item The Nutritious Pond Project Newsletter 5, April 2017(Newsletter, 2017-04-15) Nutritious Pond ProjectItem How is innovation in aquaculture conceptualized and managed? A systematic literature review and reflection framework to inform analysis and action(Journal Article, 2017-03) Joffre, Olivier M.; Klerkx, Laurens; Dickson, Malcolm; Verdegem, MarcAquaculture has experienced spectacular growth in the past decades, during which continuous innovation has played a significant role, but it faces increasing criticism regarding its ecological and social sustainability practices and the resulting challenges for future innovation processes. However, in the aquaculture literature, there is limited systematic knowledge of how innovation has been approached in terms of how the focus and the scope of aquaculture innovation processes are understood and managed. The objective of this paper is therefore to analyse the different approaches to innovation used in aquaculture development. We conducted a systematic review of the aquaculture literature, using an analytical lens derived from three main bodies of literature on approaches to conceptualize and manage innovation: Technology-driven, Systemic, and Business and Managerial approaches to innovation. One hundred publications were selected from the aquaculture literature covering the topic of aquaculture innovation. Analysis identified the Transfer of Technology approach as still the predominant approach to aquaculture innovation; and, even with the integration of elements of Systemic approaches, most studies remain focused on the farm level and are technology driven. Multi-dimensional studies, integrating technical, biophysical, political, and institutional dimensions of innovation in aquaculture were found, but studies analysing interactions between levels remain scarce, have a strong emphasis on the institutional dimension, and lack focus on the management of the innovation process. Studies with cross-fertilizations between different approaches to aquaculture innovation are limited but address specific research questions regarding the extent to which specific target groups are included in interventions and the need to incorporate diverse dimensions in analysing innovation processes. Our analysis suggests that aquaculture research and technology design that feeds into aquaculture innovation could benefit from innovation management approaches that integrate constant feedback from users, especially when specific groups are being targeted for better inclusiveness, and thus could better foster multi-directional interactions between multiple actors connected to aquaculture systems. This would help to elevate the analysis from just the farm and improve the integration of institutional, political, economic, and socio-cultural dimensions for better management of the innovation process. The study of aquaculture innovation needs to take into consideration the important role of private sector actors and make better use of systemic approaches to further elucidate the multi-dimensional and multi-level interplays in complex aquaculture systems. Ultimately, interdisciplinary research on aquaculture innovation could deliver significant insights supporting the development of a resilient and sustainable aquaculture sector.Item The Nutritious Pond Project Newsletter 4, December 2016(Newsletter, 2016-12-15) Nutritious Pond ProjectItem Benchmarking the environmental performance of best management practice and genetic improvements in Egyptian aquaculture using life cycle assessment(Journal Article, 2017-02) Henriksson, Patrik J.G.; Dickson, Malcolm; Nasr-Allah, A.M.; Al-Kenawy, D.A.R.; Phillips, MikeEgyptian aquaculture is gaining importance as an affordable and nutritious source of animal protein among Egyptians. Nile tilapia dominates production (77% of total production), followed by carps (17%) and mullets (11%). Egyptian tilapia farmers are, however, facing challenges with regards to financial viability and poor water quality. Fish farms are also contributing towards water pollution and other environmental impacts. In order to improve the situation, WorldFish launched the IEIDEAS project in 2011 with the ambition to train farmers in best management practices (BMP) and distribute the 9th generation of the Abbassa strain (G9). The present study aimed at evaluating any relative environmental gains that BMP and G9 offers compared to conventional farming using life cycle assessment (LCA). Inventory data representing 137 farmers and four groups (control, BMP, G9 and BMP + G9) were evaluated. Life cycle impact assessment results including quantitative uncertainties were then calculated and statistically tested, using Monte Carlo analysis and Wilcoxon paired significance test. Five impact categories were explored: global warming, eutrophication, acidification, freshwater consumption and land use. The G9 stain offered the greatest improvements across the evaluated impact categories, significantly reducing environmental impacts with between 12% and 36%. BMP, in the meantime, only offered significant improvements compared to the control with regards to eutrophication, acidification, freshwater consumption and land use. Meanwhile, BMP + G9 performed comparably to only G9 except for eutrophication where it had a significantly larger environmental footprint. More efficient feed utilization and higher productivity were the main reasons for the environmental improvements. Additional improvements that should be explored include improved feeds made of sustainably sourced raw materials, and better pond water management, including probiotics and paddle-wheels.Item Opportunities from multi-dimensional crop improvement and the supporting role of Near Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) networks(Presentation, 2016-11-11) Blümmel, MichaelItem Increasing fish farm profitability through aquaculture best management practice training in Egypt(Journal Article, 2016-12) Dickson, M.; Nasr-Allah, A.M.; Al-Kenawy, D.A.R.; Kruijssen, FroukjeEgyptian aquaculture production has grown rapidly to over one million tons per year so that it now provides most of the country's fish supply. However, Egyptian fish farmers have received little extension advice or training. An intervention starting in 2012 aimed to address this gap by providing best management practice (BMP) training for pond based tilapia monoculture and tilapia-mullet polyculture fish farmers. A series of field-based training modules were developed and designed with the participation of leading fish farmers and delivered through private sector farmer-trainers to over 2400 fish farm owners and managers. This paper reports on the results of an impact assessment survey carried out in 2015 comparing fish farm performance, production and profitability in randomly selected farms where the manager had received and was applying the principles of BMP training (BMP) and farms where the manager had not received IEIDEAS project training (control). The results show that although the two groups were very similar in terms of general farm characteristics, BMP farms were more likely to practice tilapia-mullet polyculture than monoculture of tilapia. The main BMP training messages apparent in the results were improved feed and fertilizer management. This resulted in more efficient food conversion ratios in BMP farms compared to control farms. Average fish yields and values were similar between the two groups, although BMP farms produced less small-sized tilapia and more mullet than the control farms. Lower feed costs resulted in significantly lower operating costs in BMP farms compared to control farms, whereas fixed costs were similar for the two groups. Average net profits were significantly higher in BMP farms compared to control farms equivalent to additional profits of over $15,000 for an average farm size of 7.5 hectares. Taking into account the number of farmers trained and BMP adoption rates suggests that $18.9 million additional profits were generated through the intervention in 2014. The results demonstrate that fish farms in mature aquaculture systems can benefit significantly from the adoption of improved farm management practices suggesting that similar approaches, including field-based BMP training and the use of private sector farmer-trainers should be used to accelerate the development of nascent aquaculture sectors in other parts of Africa.Item Improved forages and milk production in East Africa. A case study in the series: Economic foresight for understanding the role of investments in agriculture for the global food system(Report, 2016) Gonzáles, Carlos; Schiek, Benjamin E.; Mwendia, Solomon W.; Prager, Steven D.Production of livestock and dairy products in Sub-Saharan Africa has not kept pace with growing demand. The potential exists to close this gap in a climate-friendly way through the introduction of improved forage varieties of the Brachiaria genus. We assess the potential economic impact of the development and release of such varieties in six East African countries using an economic surplus model. Results are presented across a range of potential scenarios involving different adoption rates and percentage increases in productivity. For all but the lowest levels of adoption and productivity increases, improved forages have the potential for positive return on investment. Using these results, we present formulae that help readers calculate the adoption rate or percentage increase in productivity necessary to achieve specific desired levels of net benefit. Overall, the model output suggests that investment in a forages research program related to both the qualities of the forage itself as well as programs to enhance dissemination and adoption of new materials would be low risk and with high likelihood for positive outcome, generating discounted net benefits on the order of potentially tens of millions of dollars.Item Influencing factors for adoption of forage technologies in smallholder dairy systems in Lushoto, Tanzania(Poster, 2016-09) Ndah, Hycenth T.; Schuler, Johannes; Nkwain, Vandoline N.; Paul, Birthe K.; Nzogela, Beatus; Mangesho, Walter E.; Bwire, Julius M.N.Item Potential impacts of increased Napier cultivation in Lushoto, Tanzania(Poster, 2016-09) Paul, Birthe K.; Heemskerk, Stijn J.; Bwire, Julius M.N.; Nzogela, Beatus; Tittonell, Pablo A.; Groot, Jeroen C.J.Item Determinants of the utilization of desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) by farmers in Ethiopia(Journal Article, 2016) Asmare, Bimrew; Demeke, S.; Ejeta, Taye Tolemariam; Tegegne, Firew; Wamatu, Jane; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.A study was conducted to document how smallholder farmers in Ethiopia utilize desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and explain the determinants of alternative and competing uses of the grass. The study was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire for 240 farmers in the districts of Burie Zuria and Doyogena, complemented with input from key informants and secondary data. The dependent variables tested were the use of desho grass as a feed, multipurpose uses of the grass and types of livestock fed. To test the effect of the explanatory variables on the dependent variables, separate univariate Probit models were used. Although the majority of respondents can read and write, about 23% of respondents were illiterate. The average desho grass-producing farmer in the sample owned 0.95 ha of farmland and 3.56 tropical livestock units; average household size was 6.5 people with a household head who was typically male (91% of households). Eighty percent of respondents in Burie Zuria and all respondents in Doyogena district depended solely on rain for desho grass production. Fifty-eight percent in Burie Zuria and 65% in Doyogena district applied either manure or artificial fertilizer to the grass. Weeding of desho grass was not practiced by any respondents in either district. Sixty percent of farmers used desho grass as a feed and 35% used it for more than a single purpose. Forty-two percent of farmers who fed desho grass did so to only lactating cattle, 3% fed it to small ruminants and 53% fed it to all livestock species. There were significant negative correlations (P<0.01) between both experience in production of desho grass and access to training in its production and utilization, and its utilization as a feed. Seventy percent of farmers in Burie Zuria and 13% in Doyogena have received training in desho grass production. To expand the utilization of the grass to as many farmers as possible, further training should be provided. A multi-faceted approach would be needed for the 23% of illiterate farmers over the 2 districts.Item Evaluation of desho grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) hay as a basal diet for growing local sheep in Ethiopia(Journal Article, 2016-04) Asmare, Bimrew; Demeke, S.; Ejeta, Taye Tolemariam; Tegegne, Firew; Wamatu, Jane; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.Item Evidence of epigenetic mechanisms affecting carotenoids(Book Chapter, 2016) Arango, Jacobo; Beltrán, Jesús A.; Nuñez, Jonathan; Chavarriaga Aguirre, PaulItem A parthenogenesis gene candidate and evidence for segmental allopolyploidy in apomictic brachiaria decumbens(Journal Article, 2016-07-01) Worthington, Margaret; Heffelfinger, Christopher; Bernal, Diana; Quintero, Constanza; Zapata, Yeny Patricia; Pérez, Juan Guillermo; Vega, José de; Miles, John W.; Dellaporta, Stephen L.; Tohme, Joseph M.Apomixis, asexual reproduction through seed, enables breeders to identify and faithfully propagate superior heterozygous genotypes by seed without the disadvantages of vegetative propagation or the expense and complexity of hybrid seed production. The availability of new tools such as genotyping by sequencing and bioinformatics pipelines for species lacking reference genomes now makes the construction of dense maps possible in apomictic species, despite complications including polyploidy, multisomic inheritance, self-incompatibility, and high levels of heterozygosity. In this study, we developed saturated linkage maps for the maternal and paternal genomes of an interspecific Brachiaria ruziziensis (R. Germ. and C. M. Evrard) × B. decumbens Stapf. F1 mapping population in order to identify markers linked to apomixis. High-resolution molecular karyotyping and comparative genomics with Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv provided conclusive evidence for segmental allopolyploidy in B. decumbens, with strong preferential pairing of homologs across the genome and multisomic segregation relatively more common in chromosome 8. The apospory-specific genomic region (ASGR) was mapped to a region of reduced recombination on B. decumbens chromosome 5. The Pennisetum squamulatum (L.) R.Br. PsASGR-BABY BOOM-like (psASGR–BBML)-specific primer pair p779/p780 was in perfect linkage with the ASGR in the F1 mapping population and diagnostic for reproductive mode in a diversity panel of known sexual and apomict Brachiaria (Trin.) Griseb. and P. maximum Jacq. germplasm accessions and cultivars. These findings indicate that ASGR–BBML gene sequences are highly conserved across the Paniceae and add further support for the postulation of the ASGR–BBML as candidate genes for the apomictic function of parthenogenesis.Item Nutritious Pond Project Newsletter 3, July 2016(Newsletter, 2016-07-15) Nutritious Pond ProjectItem Nutritious Pond Project Newsletter 2, April 2016(Newsletter, 2016-04-30) Nutritious Pond ProjectItem Fungal endophyte association with Brachiaria grasses and its influence on plant water status, total non-structural carbohydrates and biomass production under drought stress(Journal Article, 2016-12) Odokonyero, Kennedy; Acuña, Tina Botwright; Cardoso Arango, Juan Andrés; Jiménez Serna, Juan de la Cruz; Rao, Idupulapati M.Aims: The main aim was to evaluate the effect of endophytic association of Sarocladium implicatum on drought responses of Brachiaria grass cultivars under greenhouse conditions. We tested the hypothesis that endophyte association with Brachiaria improves tolerance to drought stress by maintaining plant water status and increasing dry matter content (DMC), total nonstructural carbohydrate (NSC) contents and biomass. Methods: Five Brachiaria cultivars were grown in a greenhouse for 54 days, with (E+) and without (E-) endophyte under well-watered (WW) and droughts tressed (DS) conditions. Plant water status (measured as relative water content of leaf, RWC), leaf DMC, NSC contents and biomass were determined. Results: Endophyte association significantly increased leaf RWC but reduced DMC and biomass under DS. Endophyte reduced NSC contents under WW condition in one cultivar and reduced shoot, root and total biomass in another cultivar under DS. Effects of endophyte on response variables depended on cultivar and water regime, with significant interactions of these factors. Conclusions: Our results support the hypothesis that endophyte association improves plant water status by increasing RWC under DS. However, endophyte-induced reduction in plant attributes like DMC, NSC and biomass presents metabolic costs to host plants which could negatively affect forage quality and yield.Item Root adaptations to soils with low fertility and aluminium toxicity(Journal Article, 2016-10) Rao, Idupulapati M.; Miles, John W.; Beebe, Stephen E.; Horst, Walter J.BACKGROUND Plants depend on their root systems to acquire the water and nutrients necessary for their survival in nature, and for their yield and nutritional quality in agriculture. Root systems are complex and a variety of root phenes have been identified as contributors to adaptation to soils with low fertility and aluminium (Al) toxicity. Phenotypic characterization of root adaptations to infertile soils is enabling plant breeders to develop improved cultivars that not only yield more, but also contribute to yield stability and nutritional security in the face of climate variability. SCOPE In this review the adaptive responses of root systems to soils with low fertility and Al toxicity are described. After a brief introduction, the purpose and focus of the review are outlined. This is followed by a description of the adaptive responses of roots to low supply of mineral nutrients [with an emphasis on low availability of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and on toxic levels of Al]. We describe progress in developing germplasm adapted to soils with low fertility or Al toxicity using selected examples from ongoing breeding programmes on food (maize, common bean) and forage/feed (Brachiaria spp.) crops. A number of root architectural, morphological, anatomical and metabolic phenes contribute to the superior performance and yield on soils with low fertility and Al toxicity. Major advances have been made in identifying root phenes in improving adaptation to low N (maize), low P (common bean) or high Al [maize, common bean, species and hybrids of brachiariagrass, bulbous canarygrass (Phalaris aquatica) and lucerne (Medicago sativa)]. CONCLUSIONS Advanced root phenotyping tools will allow dissection of root responses into specific root phenes that will aid both conventional and molecular breeders to develop superior cultivars. These new cultivars will play a key role in sustainable intensification of crop–livestock systems, particularly in smallholder systems of the tropics. Development of these new cultivars adapted to soils with low fertility and Al toxicity is needed to improve global food and nutritional security and environmental sustainability.Item Agronomic evaluation of 20 accessions of Chloris gayana during maximum and minimum precipitation in Colombia(Poster, 2015-09-16) Sotelo, M.; Gutiérrez Solís, Jhon Freddy; Hincapié Carvajal, Belisario; Hoek, Rein van der; Peters, MichaelItem Agronomic evaluation of tropical forages: The collection of Cenchrus ciliarisat CIAT –Colombia(Poster, 2015-09-16) Gutiérrez, J.F.; Sotelo, M.; Burkart, Stefan; Peters, Michael; Hincapié Carvajal, BelisarioItem Opportunities and limitations of multidimensional crop improvement in grain legumes to support increased productivity in mixed crop livestock systems(Presentation, 2016-04-18) Blümmel, Michael; Wamatu, Jane; Rischkowsky, Barbara A.; Moyo, Siboniso