Sorghum evolution in Mali, leaf rust and powdery mildew on winter wheat, multifunctional agriculture in Bulgaria

Improved sorghum variety evolves in a traditional seed system in Mali​ 

Seed selection strategies are crucial to the preservation of varietal seed quality and integrity in traditional seed system in Mali, say researchers. 

Formal seed systems in Mali and other Sub-Saharan countries were not meeting the demand for improved seed varieties. This led to the reinforcement of informal systems providing improved varieties of seeds.

The study analysed the agronomic performance and phenotypic purity of six seed lots of an inbred-line Soumba veriety, recycled for two to six years by farmers using different practices.

Results suggested that seed recycling affected genetic diversity and number of off-type plants in the improved variety.

The researchers said: “Creating awareness of the effects of recycling and seed management practices, especially for farmers with key roles in the traditional system of seed exchange, could help to increase local seed system.”​

Source: Field Crops Research​

DOI: 10.1016/j.fcr.2014.06.021​

How an improved sorghum variety evolves in a traditional seed system in Mali: Effects of farmers’ practices on the maintenance of phenotype and genetic composition​

Authors: M.Deu, E. Weltzien, C. Calatayud et al.

Effect of leaf rust and powdery mildew on winter wheat yields​

Over 50% of winter wheat yield loss was observed when both leaf rust and powdery mildew epidemics were present, claim scientists.

The researchers analysed, under natural field conditions, the effects of leaf rust and powdery mildew on performance of 50 soft red winter wheat cultivars.

The results suggested that yield loss of 14% occurred due to powdery mildew, while yield loss due to leaf rust was at around 33%. When both leaf rust and powdery mildew were present the loss reached 54%.

Powdery mildew was associated with decreased harvest index and seeds per spike, while reaf rust with decreased harvest index and plant biomass.

Source: Crop Protection​

DOI: 10.1016/j.cropro.2014.06.023​

Genetic resistance to and effect of leaf rust and powdery mildew on yield and its components in 50 soft red winter wheat cultivars​

Authors: Andrew J. Green, G. Berger, C.A. Griffey, R. Pitman, W. Thomason, M. Balota

Multifunctional agriculture:  Could social farming work in Bulgaria?​

The notion of multifunctional agriculture is rarely used in Bulgaria, but there is a potential for development of social farming there, say researchers.

The concept of multifunctional agriculture grew in recent years in developed countries. Within multifunctional agriculture there were five colour-coded functions: white functions represented food security and safety, green represented contribution to nature, blue –water management by farmers, red –the harnessing of energy on farms and yellow functions had a more social focus.

The researchers assessed the status of multifunctional agriculture and its yellow function in Bulgaria using two cases of organic farms. They concluded that there was a potential for development of social farming in Bulgaria due to suitable climat, existing agricultural traditions and a network between organic farmers.

“The realisation of this potential requires coordinated and purposeful work from the representatives of the state authority, scientists and specialists, who have to popularize the idea, reveal its perspectives and turn the public interest to the desired direction,” ​said the researchers.

Source: Procedia Economics and Finance​ 

DOI: 10.1016/S2212-5671(14)00032-X​

Multifunctional Agriculture: Social and Ecological Impacts on the Organic Farms in Bulgaria​

Authors: S.Todorova, J.Ikova