Article
Agronomy
Edmore Gasura, Brian Nyandoro, Stanford Mabasa, Peter S. Setimela, Martina Kyalo, Nasser Yao
Summary: This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of key maize germplasm from tropical Africa, in order to guide a breeding program targeting resistance to Striga spp. and heterosis for grain yield. Results showed that the selected inbred lines clustered into three major groups at the molecular level, with IITA and CIMMYT germplasm clustering separately.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ningthaipuilu Longmei, Gurjit Kaur Gill, Pervez Haider Zaidi, Ramesh Kumar, Sudha Krishnan Nair, Vermuri Hindu, Madhumal Thayil Vinayan, Yogesh Vikal
Summary: The study identified significant SNPs and haplotype blocks associated with yield-contributing traits under normal and heat stress conditions, providing insights into the genetics of heat stress tolerance. These genomic regions need further validation before being applied in breeding programs.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yafang Fu, Jianchao Liu, Zhenqing Xia, Qi Wang, Shibo Zhang, Guixin Zhang, Haidong Lu
Summary: Nitrogen is an important factor affecting maize root morphological construction and growth development. In this study, root and shoot growth of 124 maize inbred lines were evaluated under normal nitrogen and low nitrogen treatments. A genome-wide association study was performed, and 185 significant SNPs were identified, along with four important candidate genes. These findings provide genetic resources for the genetic improvement of maize root traits.
Article
Agronomy
John Lobulu, Hussein Shimelis, Mark D. Laing, Arnold Angelo Mushongi, Admire Isaac Tichafa Shayanowako
Summary: The study aimed to identify maize genotypes with partial resistance to Striga and compatibility with a biocontrol agent. Results showed that FOS treatment significantly enhanced Striga management, and identified 23 maize genotypes with farmer preferred traits.
Article
Agronomy
Yubo Liu, Guanghui Hu, Ao Zhang, Alexander Loladze, Yingxiong Hu, Hui Wang, Jingtao Qu, Xuecai Zhang, Michael Olsen, Felix San Vicente, Jose Crossa, Feng Lin, Boddupalli M. Prasanna
Summary: The study identified multiple SNPs associated with FER resistance in maize, with moderate prediction accuracies observed. Genomic background and minor QTL were found to play a significant role in controlling FER resistance. Incorporating SNP associations from GWAS into genomic selection shows promise for improving FER resistance in maize.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ningning Zhang, Binbin Liu, Fan Ye, Jianzhong Chang, Yuqian Zhou, Yejian Wang, Wenjie Zhang, Xinghua Zhang, Shutu Xu, Jiquan Xue
Summary: In this study, several candidate genes for drought resistance were identified by integrating association mapping and transcriptome analysis. These results provide valuable information for understanding the genetic basis of drought tolerance at the mature stage and for designing drought-tolerant maize breeding.
Article
Plant Sciences
Tingru Zeng, Zhaodong Meng, Runqing Yue, Shouping Lu, Wenlan Li, Wencai Li, Hong Meng, Qi Sun
Summary: Using a large-scale investigation, this study identified 59 significantly associated genetic loci related to maize yield through genome-wide association analysis. These findings are important for understanding the genetic architecture of maize yield and genetic improvement of maize.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuntong Li, Yameng Liang, Meiling Liu, Qiyuan Zhang, Ziwei Wang, Jinjuan Fan, Yanye Ruan, Ao Zhang, Xiaomei Dong, Jing Yue, Cong Li
Summary: This study elucidated the genetic architecture of maize seed germination through a genome-wide association analysis and identified 58 variant loci and 36 candidate genes associated with seed germination. Accumulation of favorable variants can shorten germination time and improve consistency in maize.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jiaojiao Ren, Zhimin Li, Penghao Wu, Ao Zhang, Yubo Liu, Guanghui Hu, Shiliang Cao, Jingtao Qu, Thanda Dhliwayo, Hongjian Zheng, Michael Olsen, Boddupalli M. Prasanna, Felix San Vicente, Xuecai Zhang
Summary: Through GWAS and linkage mapping analyses, multiple SNPs and QTL associated with common rust resistance in maize were identified, with several genes playing important roles in stress resilience and plant growth and development. This study also reported a significant SNP for the first time and discovered two new QTL.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gbemisola Okunlola, Baffour Badu-Apraku, Omolayo Ariyo, Paterne Agre, Queen Offernedo, Moninuola Ayo-Vaughan
Summary: In this study, genomic regions associated with Striga resistance in maize were identified through a genome-wide association study, providing valuable information for accelerating genetic improvement in Striga resistance.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Review
Veterinary Sciences
Marta Alonso-Hearn, Gerard Badia-Bringue, Maria Canive
Summary: This study reviews recent research aimed at discovering genetic markers that could help identify cattle less susceptible and more resilient to paratuberculosis infection. The mechanisms and genetic loci influencing pathogen resistance and disease tolerance in asymptomatic individuals are currently poorly understood.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Mengwei Hou, Yanyong Cao, Xingrui Zhang, Shulin Zhang, Tengjiao Jia, Jiwei Yang, Shengbo Han, Lifeng Wang, Jingjing Li, Hao Wang, Lili Zhang, Xiaolin Wu, Canxing Duan, Huiyong Li
Summary: Maize stalk rot, caused by Pythium aristosporum, is a prevalent and damaging soil-borne disease. Previous research on maize stalk rot resistance mainly focused on other pathogens, ignoring P. aristosporum. In this study, using genotyping and genome-wide association study, 39 significant single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with P. aristosporum resistance were identified, and 69 potential resistance genes were revealed through bioinformatics analysis.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tesfamichael S. Mallu, Gilles Irafasha, Sylvia Mutinda, Erick Owuor, Stephen M. Githiri, Damaris A. Odeny, Steven Runo
Summary: Witchweeds greatly hinder crop production in Africa. The study found that hormones such as abscisic acid and gibberellic acid play important roles in the germination of witchweed seeds. The findings also suggested that other hormones have effects on seed germination. These findings have significant implications for controlling crop pathogens in Africa.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Venkata Rami Reddy Yannam, Marlon Caicedo, Rosa Ana Malvar, Bernardo Ordas
Summary: The study used GWAS and genome-wide association analysis to elucidate the genetic characteristics of senescence and its impact on agronomic traits. Core senescence genes could serve as crucial candidates for future gene editing and breeding purposes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhen-Fei Chao, Yuan-Yuan Chen, Chen Ji, Ya-Ling Wang, Xing Huang, Chu-Ying Zhang, Jun Yang, Tao Song, Jia-Chen Wu, Liang-Xing Guo, Chu-Bin Liu, Mei-Ling Han, Yong-Rui Wu, Jianbing Yan, Dai-Yin Chao
Summary: Through a genome-wide association study, researchers have identified the gene ZmYSL2 responsible for loading zinc to maize kernels, and found that it plays a key role in the natural variation of zinc concentration in maize kernels.
Article
Agronomy
Lwanga Charles Kasozi, John Derera, Pangirayi Tongoona, Edmore Gasura
Summary: The maize weevil resistance evaluation was conducted on different seed generations, and the results showed that the F-2 full-sib grain was superior in providing genetic information for breeding purposes. When breeding for weevil resistant maize hybrids, hybrids produced from resistant inbred lines MV170 and MV142 exhibited high levels of maize weevil resistance across all three seed categories, making them suitable materials for breeding purposes.
Article
Agronomy
Edmore Gasura, Brian Nyandoro, Stanford Mabasa, Peter S. Setimela, Martina Kyalo, Nasser Yao
Summary: This study aimed to determine the genetic diversity and population structure of key maize germplasm from tropical Africa, in order to guide a breeding program targeting resistance to Striga spp. and heterosis for grain yield. Results showed that the selected inbred lines clustered into three major groups at the molecular level, with IITA and CIMMYT germplasm clustering separately.
GENETIC RESOURCES AND CROP EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Simon Mada Mbovora, Cousin Musvosvi, Edmore Gasura
Summary: Apples rank fourth in global economic importance, with genetic similarity among cultivated varieties and reduced diversity due to breeding practices. Research at Nyanga Experimental Station in Zimbabwe identified promising apple varieties with high genetic similarity, suitable for cultivation in warmer regions.
ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Vimbayi Dhliwayo, Edmore Gasura, Cacious Stanford Nyakurwa, Stanford Mabasa, Arnold Bray Mashingaidze, Peter Setimela
Summary: Parasitic weeds from the Orobanchaceae family pose a threat in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Striga hermonthica and S. asiatica responsible for land abandonment and reduced cereal yields. Through factorial experiments, it was found that maize hybrids bred at the University of Zimbabwe showed resistance/tolerance to Striga asiatica, offering a potential control option for farmers in endemic areas.
ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Bruce Mutari, Julia Sibiya, Edmore Gasura, Aleck Kondwakwenda, Kennedy Simango, Rowland Chirwa
Summary: This article reviews the factors influencing the quality of canned navy beans, breeding methodologies, and primary quality parameters for predicting canning quality. While molecular marker-assisted selection has not yet significantly improved canning quality in navy beans, it has the potential to facilitate genetic improvement in this area.
JOURNAL OF CROP IMPROVEMENT
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Bruce Mutari, Julia Sibiya, Edmore Gasura, Prince M. Matova, Kennedy Simango, Aleck Kondwakwenda
Summary: Navy beans are important food and cash crops. Knowledge of their genetic basis under drought stress is crucial for breeding strategies. In this study, the combining ability effects and gene action of grain yield and yield traits were evaluated in navy bean under drought stress and non-stressed conditions. The results identified parents with superior general combining ability and promising cross combinations with superior specific combining ability. Additionally, correlations between traits were observed, providing further insights for breeding programs.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
C. S. Nyakurwa, E. Gasura, S. Mabasa, J. T. Rugare, P. S. Setimela
Summary: Maize is the most important staple food crop in southern Africa. Despite the development of quality protein maize, stunting and malnutrition remain high due to low adoption of these varieties. This study compares the agronomic performance and farmer preferences of new generation quality protein maize and non-quality protein maize varieties, finding that high-yielding and stable QPM varieties are likely to be adopted by farmers in southern Africa.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Sphiwokuhle Shandu, Edmore Gasura, Kingstone Mashingaidze, John Derera
Summary: This study aimed to identify high-yielding and stable maize hybrids across diverse environments in South Africa. The evaluation of newly developed hybrids over two growing seasons showed some hybrids to be stable and high-yielding, suitable for wide adaptation across stress and non-stress environments. Hybrids containing tropical CIMMYT testers were found to be more stable than those derived from temperate Corn Belt material.
SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PLANT AND SOIL
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Simbarashe Mutsvanga, Edmore Gasura, Peter S. Setimela, Cacious S. Nyakurwa, Stanford Mabasa
Summary: Adding phosphorus to Striga-infested maize fields can significantly reduce the number of Striga and its attachment to maize roots, while improving the plant growth and yield. The germination distance and percentage of Striga seeds are significantly reduced under high phosphorus levels. Therefore, the application of phosphorus fertilizer can reduce Striga infestation and enhance the tolerance of maize.
CABI AGRICULTURE & BIOSCIENCE
(2022)
