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Population analyses of R. irregularis. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01495-8
The complex and very diverse world of fungi is often referred to as the fifth kingdom of organisms. It includes various yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. A team of scientists from the University of Ottawa (uOttawa) has uncovered the genetic secrets of a mysterious fungus, revealing the presence of two distinct nuclear populations within them, each playing distinct roles in how they interact with plants.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are tiny fungi that live in harmony with plants, sharing their genetic diversity and creating a vibrant atmosphere in plant roots and with below-ground microbes. Scientists have been studying AMF for years but are still puzzled by it. Its bodies are like bags packed with thousands of nuclei cells, and how these fungi cooperate with plants has long been unclear.
“There were numerous unresolved questions regarding AMF, mainly because these fungi are always multinucleated and do not exhibit observable sexual characteristics,” says Professor Nicolas Corradi, who holds the Chair in Microbial Genomics at the Department of Biology, University of Ottawa. “It has been proposed that AMF possess unique genetics and have undergone an unconventional evolution.”
Professor Corradi and colleagues investigated the asexual reproduction of AMF, specifically Rhizophagus irregularis. In 2016, they discovered strains that showed signs of sexual reproduction, with two populations of nuclei co-existing in large cells. “We found that strains having two populations (AMF heterokaryons) are more resilient and could access plant roots more easily, an indication they could be better bio-stimulants.”
However, without their complete genome, the researchers could not know why these strains are more successful plant symbionts.
Phylogenetic tree constructed with 65 R. irregularis strains. Haplotypes from AMF heterokaryons are shown in yellow squares. Based on relative branch lengths, the phylogeny resolves at least nine clades, which are highlighted in color. The tree was made using IQTREE algorithm, in GTR-FO mode with 1,000 bootstrap replicates. Scale bar represents 0.05 substitutions per site. When available, the MAT type of the strain is shown in parentheses. Note: the G1 strain located in clade VI noted with an asterisk is homokaryotic and does not represent the heterokaryotic isolate G1 (DAOM-970895) from clade IV. Credit: Nature Microbiology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01495-8
To address this, Professor Corradi and his team employed advanced sequencing techniques, including RNA sequencing and third-generation DNA sequencing, to analyze differences in structure, content, and expression between the co-existing genomes.
“AMF heterokaryons have two haplotypes that physically separate among a large number, possibly millions, of co-existing nuclei. This phenomenon is unprecedented in any other organism,” explains Professor Corradi.
Their analyses also demonstrated that the two populations act very differently depending on their surrounding environment and their plant host. “Not only did we find that the two populations differ dramatically in the genes they harbor, but also that these are differently expressed and change in abundance depending on which plant they interact with,” adds Professor Corradi.
The symbiotic interactions between AMF and host plants are crucial for nutrient exchange, pathogen protection, and ecosystem sustainability. Studying these interactions will help improve agricultural practices by producing tailored biostimulants, enhancing plant growth, and promoting ecosystem health.
The study, titled “Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi heterokaryons have two nuclear populations with distinct roles in host–plant interactions,” was published in Nature Microbiology.
More information: Jana Sperschneider et al, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi heterokaryons have two nuclear populations with distinct roles in host–plant interactions, Nature Microbiology (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41564-023-01495-8
The research team investigated genetic changes of Metarhizium fungi during infection of the invasive Argentine ant, shown here are its workers, on the right with brood. Credit: Sina Metzler & Roland Ferrigato, ISTA
Researchers at the Kiel Evolution Center have investigated for the first time in detail how a fungus important for biological plant protection can pass on an advantageous chromosome horizontally, using a previously little-studied way of exchanging genetic information.
Sustainable plant protection measures that are not based on chemical pesticides rely on various organisms and biological agents to protect crops from pests. Such organisms used for biological plant protection are, for example, microscopic fungi of the genus Metarhizium, which can attack and kill a variety of plant-pathogenic insects and are used, for example, in South American sugar cane cultivation.
The molecular mechanisms of fungal infection and the immune response of insects are in an ongoing process of mutual evolutionary adaptation. In a joint project with colleagues from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), a research team from Kiel University investigated the genetic changes in the fungus during infection of the invasive Argentine ant (Linepithema humile).
The researchers examined the genomes of different strains of the fungi Metarhizium robertsii and Metarhizium brunneum from an earlier co-infection experiment in which ants had been infected with the fungus mix.
In the study, the outgrowing spores were used to infect new ants over 10 consecutive infection cycles. When analyzing the fungal genomes from these infection series, the fungal geneticist and first author of the study, Dr. Michael Habig from Kiel University, made an exciting observation: his analyses showed that a single chromosome was very frequently exchanged horizontally between two different strains.
This chromosome contains certain genes that the scientists suspect may give the fungus an advantage in infecting its hosts. The horizontal transfer of entire chromosomes has rarely been described scientifically and has now been studied in detail for the first time. The researchers from the Kiel Evolution Center (KEC) and ISTA published their results in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Horizontal chromosome transfer detected in insect-damaging fungus
Scientists use the term horizontal gene transfer to describe how living organisms can transfer genetic material between different individuals, including those of other species. In this way, bacteria exchange extensive genetic information, often in the form of plasmids, in order to quickly adapt to changing environmental conditions or to adapt to the host. The rapid evolution of various pathogens is based on such mechanisms, among other things.
“In fungi and many other so-called eukaryotic organisms, however, horizontal gene transfer in the form of entire chromosomes is very rare and has hardly been researched to date,” says Dr. Michael Habig, research associate at Kiel University.
“The analysis of the genetic information of the fungal strains shows that M. robertsii independently transferred a single chromosome a total of five times during the co-infection experiments, but no other genetic information from one strain to another via horizontal transfer,” continued Habig.
Further analyses also indicated that the same chromosome can also be found in the distantly related, also insect-damaging fungus species Metarhizium guizhouense, whose common evolutionary origin with M. robertsii dates back around 15 million years.
“The chromosome in M. guizhouense is significantly less altered than would be assumed for the long period of separate evolution of the two fungal species. The chromosome therefore also appears to have been passed on naturally between these different fungal species—and probably horizontally,” says Habig.
Analysis of the chromosome indicates possible survival advantages for the fungus
The chromosome examined is a so-called accessory chromosome. This means that it does not occur in all individuals of a species and contains non-essential genetic information.
“The experiments showed that, under certain conditions, the fungus that had received the accessory chromosome had competitive advantages over fungi of the same strain that had not received the chromosome and were able to prevail against them. We want to investigate the details of these advantages in more detail in the future,” says Habig.
The Kiel research team has already been able to derive initial indications from the analysis of the genes on the chromosome. “The chromosome contains hundreds of genes whose potential functions we will only be able to decipher in the future. However, we have already been able to identify 13 candidate genes that could presumably be responsible for so-called effector proteins, which can interact with the insects’ immune system, for example,” Habig continues.
The transfer of the chromosome may therefore have advantages for the fungus, the functional basis of which is still unclear. However, one plausible possibility is the transfer of certain genes that produce chitin-cleaving enzymes and can thus improve the ability to infect the insects.
“It is remarkable that we have found the genes of three such enzymes, among others, which presumably play a role in the degradation of the chitin-containing cuticle of the host insect. This could influence a crucial step in the infection process, as the fungal spores are dependent on penetrating the protective exoskeleton of the host in order to infect it,” says Professor Sylvia Cremer, last author of the study, from the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA).
Overall, the research work offers interesting new aspects on a way of exchanging genetic information that has been little studied in fungi to date.
“Our new work shows that horizontal chromosome transfer occurs regularly in fungi and that this mechanism can confer advantages to the recipient strain, at least in experiments under certain conditions,” says Habig.
The Kiel research team and its collaboration partners from ISTA thus describe in detail for the first time a new aspect in the genome evolution of fungi, which may be able to use bacteria-like mechanisms of rapid evolutionary adaptation, for example to increase their virulence or harmfulness to their host organism and to transfer genetic information across species boundaries.
In the future, the researchers want to use the example of M. robertsii to investigate the relationships between horizontal chromosome transfer, possible fitness advantages and the mutual adaptation of fungi and insects in detail and thus gain further insights into this organism, which is important for plant protection.
More information: Michael Habig et al, Frequent horizontal chromosome transfer between asexual fungal insect pathogens, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2316284121
Cacao sustainability: The case of cacao swollen-shoot virus co-infection
PLOS
Folashade B. Agusto ,
Maria C. A. Leite,
Frank Owusu-Ansah,
Owusu Domfeh,
Natali Hritonenko,
Benito Chen-Charpentier
Abstract
The cacao swollen shoot virus disease (CSSVD) is among the most economically damaging diseases of cacao trees and accounts for almost 15–50% of harvest losses in Ghana. This virus is transmitted by several species of mealybugs (Pseudococcidae, Homoptera) when they feed on cacao plants. One of the mitigation strategies for CSSVD investigated at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) is the use of mild-strain cross-protection of cacao trees against the effects of severe strains. In this study, simple deterministic, delay, and stochastic ordinary differential equation-based models to describe the dynamic of the disease and spread of the virus are suggested. Model parameters are estimated using detailed empirical data from CRIG. The modeling outcomes demonstrate a remarkable resemblance between real and simulated dynamics. We have found that models with delay approximate the data better and this agrees with the knowledge that CSSVD epidemics develop slowly. Also, since there are large variations in the data, stochastic models lead to better results. We show that these models can be used to gain useful informative insights about the nature of disease spread.
The fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) has wreaked havoc on Zambia’s agriculture, devastating smallholder farmers with staggering losses. But amidst the struggle, a promising solution emerges.
Metarhizium rileyi, a highly specific fungus that kills fall armyworm, stands out among these. What’s even more remarkable? Scientists from Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), University of Zambia (UNZA), and CABI in Zambia have identified the presence of this fungus naturally occurring in certain areas when fall armyworm started devasting maize, offering a beacon of hope in the fight against this invasive pest. In 2023, the CABI-led project, funded by ACIAR, embarked on a journey alongside key partners ZARI and UNZA. Their mission? To tackle the fall armyworm crisis head-on through village-based biocontrol initiatives. The project’s official launch marked the beginning of comprehensive field trials across various sites in Zambia.
How effective is Metarhizium rileyi?
The heart of these trials lies in the application of M. rileyi. The process involves using a mixture of a calculated amount of M. rileyi spores and local sand treatment and applying it in four maize sites infested with fall armyworm. Scientists applied the mixture every two weeks. To compare the efficacy of the fungus, the team also used other treatments: sand only, chemical, and no application. This innovative approach, coupled with meticulous monitoring, aimed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of M.rileyi as a biological control agent.
Showing farmers the efficacy of M. rileyi in the field
Despite facing challenges like drought in some trial sites, the results have been promising. Visual assessments revealed stark differences between treated and untreated plots, showcasing the efficacy of M. rileyi.
Notably, the fungal and chemical-treated plots exhibited substantial control over fall armyworm populations, with numerous dead specimens discovered in the fungal treatments. In the fungal-treated plots, there were also thriving populations of beneficial insects, which contributed to further pest suppression over time.
A sustainable approach
A dead fall armyworm showing the green fungus Metarhizium rileyi
As we reflect on these encouraging findings, it’s evident that nature holds powerful solutions to our agricultural challenges. The local presence of naturally occurring M.rileyi offers a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to combatting fall armyworms in Zambia and beyond. Looking ahead, continued research and collaboration are paramount. By amplifying our efforts and leveraging the potential of biocontrol, we can mitigate the impact of invasive pests, safeguarding livelihoods and fostering resilience in agricultural communities.
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Early detection and tracking of ToBRFV virus entry point
“It is important to be prepared and to understand the virus infection in order to effectively mitigate its spread or prevent a potential epidemic,” explains Harmen Hummelen, production quality manager at Bayer.
The tomato brown rough fruit virus (ToBRFV) is becoming increasingly widespread. In the event of infection, it is important to be prepared, understand the viral infection, and manage its spread.
A ToBRFV infection that is not properly managed can have a significant impact on plant quality and yield. Detecting the virus early after infection is essential, and this article presents some tips and suggestions for early detection.
Recognition in the greenhouse Recognizing an early infection is not easy, partly because most people have never seen the disease before. There are some general guidelines to help with early detection and recognition of the ToBRFV virus, and an experienced person who can “read” plants is one of the most valuable helpers.
Such a person is more likely to detect any “anomaly” for a particular variety or time of year (for example, plants with a slightly different color or shape). These symptoms may not be directly linked to the ToBRFV virus, as they can often resemble fertilizer deficiency or other stress factors.
For example, one of the symptoms may be that the plant is a little shorter for no clear reason. These plants, or their neighbors, may have fruits that do not ripen normally. Some fruits, particularly at the top of a cluster, ripen later, or ripening is more uneven, perhaps with a few more spots. The top of the plant could also turn a little paler green. These are all symptoms that can be caused by many factors, but they can also indicate the presence of ToBRFV.
The problem is that, in some cases, the virus causes no symptoms on the plant and only manifests itself on the fruit. This seems to occur especially in older crops, where virtually no symptoms are observed, but the virus is present. This increases the risk of a missed infection spreading to the next crop cycle.
It is therefore very important to carry out another, more thorough check. The final step in determining whether ToBRFV is present is to carry out a test.
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus | Cornell Vegetables: Tomato brown rugose fruit virus | Cornell Vegetables
“A simple and effective method of testing for the presence of ToBRFV is to take a sample from the calyx of the fruit,” explains Leonie Hogendonk, De Ruiter development manager.
Test A laboratory or rapid test may indicate the presence of infection. In both cases, care should be taken to collect several parts of the plant, such as the calyx and actively growing shoots, in a single sample, as the virus may not be present in all parts of the plant. If the first sample does not confirm the visual diagnosis, feel free to produce another sample from a second plant or combine several plants into a single sample.
Diagnosis of drainage water is also a good way of detecting infection at an early stage. Belgian growers have analyzed this water in the laboratory, and, in some cases, a viral infection can be detected up to 10 weeks before the appearance of visual symptoms.
Caution is key when testing early in the season after a previous infection, as it is possible that RNA from the previous season’s dead virus may be detected. However, if the amount of virus increases, it is clear that it is a live virus developing in the plants.
Virus detection should be limited to a certain block or section of the greenhouse, and such early detection allows further action to be taken, thus reducing the spread of the virus within the greenhouse or nursery.
Figure 1. The virus is not uniformly distributed throughout the plant. A virus penetrates somewhere in the plant and then moves with the phloem towards the roots. Almost at the same time, it also moves to the upper, young, and growing part of the plant, and it can take some time for the rest of the plant to become infected.
Entry point of the virus in the greenhouse When the first plants are detected, the next question is why the infection has occurred there. In practice, it is not always possible to answer this question. The virus is invisible, and even with good prevention and hygiene measures, low levels of the virus can be introduced at any given time. The location of the virus is not necessarily the entry point.
The virus can enter via people, equipment, or animals. It is not yet known how long it takes for the virus to infect the crop from the vector (what carries the virus), and this can range from 10 minutes to a day or more. This means that the virus can appear for the first time in the middle of the greenhouse, even if it has been introduced elsewhere. The virus also needs a plant that is sufficiently sensitive to allow infection.
All these unknown factors make it difficult to trace the initial point of entry. It is therefore important to maintain high levels of hygiene in greenhouses and crops from the outset and throughout the growing season.
Set-back from infection date In some experiments, virus symptoms appear in young plants after only 10 days. However, in older plants, no clear symptoms may be observed for months, sometimes even until the end of cultivation. Finding that first plant is a major challenge. It is very likely that the first infected plant is one of the neighboring plants and, by the time the symptoms are discovered, the infection may involve 10 to 20 plants in total.
Good screening to find the virus as early as possible and good hygiene to reduce the spread of the virus is essential to keep as many plants healthy as possible until the end of the growing cycle.
Ghana to expand cocoa rehabilitation with $200m World Bank loan
20th Feb 2024 | Source: Graphic Online
Ghana Cocoa
Ghana’s COCOBOD will use part of a $200 million World Bank loan to rehabilitate plantations destroyed by the cocoa swollen shoot virus, which causes drops in yields and kills trees, the regulator’s deputy Chief Executive in charge of operations said on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
The disease has wiped off about 500,000 hectares of farmlands and reduced cocoa output from the West African nation, the world’s second biggest cocoa producer after neighbour Ivory Coast.
Ghana’s output declined to 600,000 metric tons last year after peaking at 1.048 million tons in the 2020/21 season, as the cocoa swollen shoot virus, aging plantations, illegal mining and smuggling took a toll on the sector.
A total of $132.8 million of the loan secured by the government last year and the counterpart funding will finance Cocobod’s rehabilitation of farms and help to enhance knowledge on the virus strains, a project information document showed.
“The rehabilitation will take a minimum of five years to start getting economic production,” Cocobod’s Emmanuel Opoku told Reuters, adding that efforts had been hampered by the country’s economic crisis and the board’s limited funds.
The board will take over disease-infested farms, cut and replace sick cocoa trees, aiding growth to a fruiting stage before handing them back to farmers.
In 2018, Cocobod used part of a $600 million Africa Development Bank (AfDB) loan to rehabilitate aging plantations and those affected by the disease.
But the programme, originally meant to cover 156,000 hectares of plantations, was caught up in Ghana’s worst economic crisis in a generation during which inflation spiralled and the cedi currency depreciated sharply, Opoku said.
He said the AfDB facility benefited more than 88,000 hectares of farmlands, of which 40,000 hectares were ready to be given back to farmers in “the coming days”.
Alhassan Bukari, president of the country’s Cocoa, Coffee and Sheanut Farmers’ Association, told Reuters that rehabilitation efforts needed to be aggressive as many farmers were affected.
Ghana’s graded and sealed cocoa arrivals fell by 35% between the start of this season on Sept. 1 and Jan. 31 this year due to the intensity of the seasonal dry Harmattan wind and what Cocobod described as production.
Guest Post By MarketsandMarkets .Agriculture2024-03-19
The growing awareness about the harmful effects of synthetic pesticides on human health and the environment has led to a rising demand for biopesticides.
Increasing awareness of the environmental and health concerns of synthetic pesticides is prompting farmers to seek more sustainable solutions. Biopesticides, derived from natural sources, offer a suitable alternative, promoting crop protection by fostering beneficial microorganisms in the soil while minimizing negative environmental impact.
Further, their integration into integrated pest management (IPM) strategies allows for targeted pest control, contributing to sustainable agricultural practices globally.
According to MarketsandMarkets, the biopesticides market is projected to reach USD 13.9 billion by 2028 from USD 6.7 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 15.9% during the forecast period in terms of value. Supported by the stringent regulations on synthetic pesticides and growing demand for organic food, biopesticide usage remained prominent in North America and Europe.
Technological advancements in biopesticide development, the growing organic food industry, and increasing awareness about sustainable practices are anticipated to further propel market growth in developing countries such as Brazil, Argentina, China, and India.
Focus on sustainable agricultural practices to support biopesticides growth
The demand for organic and sustainably produced food is growing as consumers become more conscious of the environmental impact of conventional farming practices, driving the demand for crops grown using biopesticides. Governments worldwide are encouraging the use of biopesticides by implementing supportive regulatory frameworks.
It includes incentives, subsidies, and streamlined registration processes for biopesticide products. Registration of biopesticides in the US takes around 12 to 18 months compared to approximately 36 months for conventional pesticides.
The registration fees are also comparatively lower. Ongoing research & development efforts are expanding the range and efficacy of biopesticides as part of integrated pest management (IPM).
Companies such as Bayer AG, Syngenta, and Corteva Agrisciences are investing in innovative formulations to improve biopesticide products’ shelf life and efficiency.
Biopesticides for sustainable agriculture and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
Considered part of sustainable agriculture practices, biopesticides are derived from natural materials such as animals, microbes, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. The use of biopesticides is becoming more popular due to their safer and environmentally friendly nature compared to traditional pesticides.
This trend aligns with the global push for sustainable agriculture, where eco-friendly solutions are key to minimizing harm to the ecosystem. Biopesticides are an essential component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) as they help to reduce chemical inputs, promoting a balanced and resilient agroecosystem.
Advancement in microbial research to support future growth of biopesticides
Extensive research undertaken by the major players in the crop protection industry has encouraged the effective use of biological signals to trigger RNAi-specific genes, which would help in disease and pest resistance and increase yield and quality. Bayer AG (Germany) is advancing in microbial and RNA interference (RNAi) technology, allowing farmers to adopt better alternatives for applying biological products.
Companies such as Greenlight Biosciences are focusing on the invention of RNAi-based biopesticides for biological crop protection. Monsanto Company (US) got approval from the EPA in 2017 for genetic engineering technology using RNA interference to kill insect pests.
Corteva Agriscience (US) also licensed two insect traits from Monsanto Company (US), which contained an RNAi rootworm trait. Regulated under biopesticides in the US, this technology is witnessing increased adoption in the industry, as it is a novel solution available for specific pest traits in specific crops.
Technological limitations for the use of biological products
Biological products have a short or limited shelf life and a high probability of contamination. One of the significant problems with agricultural inoculation technology is the survival of microorganisms during storage.
The other issues include exposure to sunlight, culture mediums, the physiological state of microorganisms when harvested, temperature maintenance during storage, and water activity of inoculants that have an influence on their shelf life. Compatibility with other agricultural products, such as chemical fungicides and herbicides, also poses problems with using microbial inoculants in the soil.
Some of the major technological constraints with the use of biological products include the following:
Use of improper and inefficient strains for production
Lack of experienced, skilled, and technical personnel
Unavailability of high-quality carrier materials or the use of different carrier materials by producers without ascertaining the quality of the material
Short shelf life due to the influence of various abiotic and biotic stress factors
Effectiveness of foliar application to drive the demand for biopesticides
Foliar mode of application has become increasingly popular in recent years as it allows for more targeted and efficient use of inputs. This application mode improves the effectiveness of biopesticide products through direct application to the leaves.
When applied directly to the grass plant leaves, these products can be absorbed more quickly and efficiently, allowing for faster results and better overall performance.
Use of microbial-based biopesticides to boost the market growth
Microbial-based biopesticides are highly specific in their action, targeting only the pests they are designed to control while leaving beneficial insects and organisms unharmed, hence integrating sustainable approaches to farming. Microbials, including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa, can act as natural enemies of pests by directly infecting and killing them or interfering with their life cycles and behavior.
This targeted approach helps preserve the ecological balance and reduces the risk of resistance development in pests. Additionally, microbial products have a lower environmental impact, as they degrade naturally without leaving harmful residues in the soil, water, or air.
Growth opportunities in developing regions such as Asia Pacific and South America
According to FAOSTAT, China, India, Brazil, and Argentina have emerged as major consumers of pesticides. As the demand for food has risen in these regions, the use of pesticides has increased consequently to achieve higher crop yields.
However, pollution, soil contamination, and concerns about the harmful effects of chemical pesticides on the food chain have become significant issues in these areas. To address these concerns, governments are promoting the adoption of integrated pest management practices (IPM) and sustainable crop protection practices.
Developing regions such as the Asia Pacific are poised for strong growth due to the availability of biopesticide products, the extent of organic farming, farmers’ awareness, cultivation of high-value cash crops, and effective promotion and marketing of biopesticides.
In countries such as India, China, and Brazil, where farmers typically have smaller landholdings and face economic challenges, government agencies provide subsidies and implement favorable regulatory policies to support large-scale production and encourage the use of biopesticides. The biopesticide market in these regions presents opportunities for new entrants due to a relatively small number of producers and low entry barriers.
Biopesticides market ecosystem
Prominent companies operating in the market possess a diversified product portfolio, state-of-the-art technologies, and strong global sales and marketing networks. The key players in this include BASF SE (Germany), Bayer AG (Germany), Syngenta (Switzerland), UPL Limited (India), FMC Corporation (US), Marrone Bio Innovations, Inc.
(US), Novozymes (Denmark), Nufarm (Australia), Isagro S.p.A (Italy), Certis USA L.L.C. (US), Koppert (Netherlands), Biobest Group NV (Belgium), SOM Phytopharma (India) Limited (India), Valent BioSciences LLC (US), and STK Bio-Ag Technologies (Israel).
These players in this market are focusing on increasing their presence through agreements and collaborations. These companies have a strong presence in North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe.
They also have manufacturing facilities along with strong distribution networks across these regions.
Scientists at Lilongwe University of Agriculture (LUANAR) say trials have shown that Genetically Modified (GMO) maize seeds are resistant to insects, particularly fall armyworms which affect maize yields in Malawi.
The trials for the GMO maize are being done at LUANAR’S Bunda Campus and according to scientists, leaves for maize plants that have trans genes are intact while those that do not have trans genes have had their leaves damaged by the fall armyworms.
The scientists are pushing for the use of genetically modified maize seeds saying such crops can help in ending food security because of their resistance to insects which affect yield of maize.
For example, this year maize farms in many parts of the country have been damaged by fall armyworms due to persistent dry spells the country experienced and this could result in low yields to farmers and possibility of food insecurity.
One of the farmers from Dedza, Alice Gubudu, told Malawi24 that her farm has really been damaged by the fall armyworms and this could result in low yield of maize.
“The fall army worms have really damaged my maize crops and I doubt if I will harvest so much maize like I used to do. This is where my income comes from, I pay school fees and buy some necessities from the money that comes from farming but this year with the dry spells and the damage caused by the fall armyworms, I don’t think I will be able to do that,” she said.
Gubudu
According to Dr Kingdom Kwapata, Trial Manager for the Research Program for Bio Technology (Bt) at Bunda, Bt maize has been genetically modified to produce an insecticide Bt protein that kills stem borers and it has a potential to transform Malawi’s Maize production and contribute to the struggle against food insecurity.
“The major benefit is that it will increase yield for farmers and because of that we are expecting also a corresponding increase in incomes. As you know, fall armyworms are one of the major devastating pest for maize in the country. Now that this research has demonstrated that the maize variety that we have is resistant to this insect, I think it’s good news for farmers and the country as a whole,” said Kwapata.
Kwapata disclosed that the trials will take 3 to 4 years because they will also conduct further trials to other parts of the country to ensure stability of the gene in the sense that it should be able to perform the way it is performing at Bunda trial farm.
“We want it to have a uniformity in terms of performance across the nation and that will take about 2 years and then the other year probably will be issues to do with registration of the trait so that it can be commercialized,” said Kwapata.
National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) is the champion for this technology in the country.
Chief Research Officer at NCST Lyson Kampira told Malawi24 that NCST is promoting Bt technology in the country because it has seen that this technology has got potential in the maize crops which reduces yield in Malawi.
“So after noting that all avenues are failing especially in dealing with fall armyworm, we are trying out this Bt maize.
“Having visited the trial site, what we can say is that it appears the Bt maize is protected from the fall armyworms in the sense that it is growing very well while our local varieties are suffering, especially those that are not being treated,” said Kampira.
He then advised people in the country to stop listening to hearsays about the GMO’s because people who are saying GMO’s are bad, have no basis scientifically and they should let the results from the trials confirm the situation.
“If you look around the region, the maize that we are getting especially from South Africa is already GMO maize and all the fears which people talk about, we don’t see them,” he explained.
The Bt technology is already contributing to global food security. According to a report by the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications credits, GM technology accounted for the global production of 330 million tonnes of soyabean and 595 million tonnes of maize over the past 25 years.
Research into the value gained from planting GM crops has shown that 65% of the gain came from higher yield and production and 35% from lower costs.
The Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) based in Nairobi, Kenya is supporting Bt technology in Africa countries including Malawi.
Vitumbiko Chinoko is the project manager for OFAB and he says climate change is affecting agriculture and food systems in Africa and the only way farmers in Africa can encounter those challenges is the adoption and integration of technologies into the Agriculture systems.
“So what we are saying is that it’s high time Malawi embraced this kind of technology because it has an impact in terms of food security and nutrition as well as how it can cover and protect the economy of this country,” said Chinoko.
He also noted that the GMO technology has a lot of perceptions which are affecting the adoption and integration of the same into food systems but he claimed that some negative reports people have been hearing about GMOs are actually false.
“We have been in countries which for the past 20 years have been growing GMO technology, nothing of the perception, of the propaganda you have been hearing has been proven true. So anything negative about the technology is actually not true science wise,” he explained.
Chinoko made an assurance that the trials being conducted in Malawi will go through a rigorous process such that nothing dangerous will be given to farmers at the end of the day.
Are farmers impressed with the GMO maize?
Some farmers had the opportunity to go and appreciate what is being done at Bunda trial site and they were very satisfied with the GMO maize, saying this is the only way they can generate more income from farming and also end hunger in their homes.
Speaking to Malawi24 after visiting the trial site, Senior Group Chikangwe from Dedza who is also a farmer said if this GMO is adopted it will benefit a lot of farmers and the problems they are facing now about fall armyworms will be a thing of the past.
“As a farmer, as a Chief, I lead people in the community and I know what farmers in my community want and this is what they want right now. I want Government to fast track this program so that it can start soon. We need this in the country. This year we have suffered, our maize has been affected and if we adopt this kind of maize, I think we will benefit financially and also many people in the country will never experience hunger as it is right now,” said Chikangwe.
What are Members of Parliament saying about the GMO maize?
Members of Parliament are the people that represent people in parliament and they also make laws. Roseby Gadama is the chairperson of Women Parliamentary caucus and she is quite impressed with the GMO maize. She wants Government to adopt the technology because it will end hunger as well as poverty in the country.
“After visiting the trial site at Bunda, I can say that what the researchers are doing is quite good and maize being tried at Bunda is the type of maize the country needs right now due to climate change. As MPs, we will push for this to be done as soon as possible because farmers out there are facing problems and this is one of the solutions to end such problems and I want Government to empower these researchers with the relevant materials they need,” said Gadama.
While some agricultural experts say the adoption of GMO maize is good for the country, others argue that there is need to do rigorous process to ensure that the adopted maize is not affecting the health of people.
Leonard Chimwaza, one of the agricultural experts, says the adoption of GMO maize can help in ending hunger in the country but scientists need to tread carefully on the development.
“The development is good but the people need to be educated on the GMO maize before they adopt it. Scientists have a job to convince people that the GMO maize is not harmful to their health by doing that we will not have problems. But I can say this is a good initiative for the country,” he explained.
In Malawi famers, are already benefiting from Bio Technology cotton especially Bt cotton. A Report by the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) shows that Bt cotton – a genetically modified variety – has improved farmers’ yield by 100 percent.
Since the introduction of Biotech cotton, the yields for farmers who adopted the seed have been increased to 800 kgs per hectare from 400 kgs per hectare, according to the NCST.
GM potatoes to be released to Nigerian farmers in 2025
on March 21, 2024
New potato varieties modified to withstand the deadly late blight disease said to be responsible for over 90 percent destruction on farmers’ fields in Nigeria will be available to farmers from the 2025 planting season, Dr Charles Amadi, a breeder with the National Root Crop Research Institute (NRCRI), said.
According to a news story published on EnviroNews Nigeria, Dr Amadi is the Principal Investigator, Global Biotechnology Potato Partnership (GBPP) project in Nigeria under the USAID-funded Feed the Future Project that is implemented in four countries – Kenya, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Nigeria.
The Partnership is coordinated by Michigan State University and involves various partners including the National Root Crop Research Institute, Umudike; the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF); and International Potato Centre (CIP).
Dr Amadi said: “After two years of research work in confinement and multilocation in potato growing belts of Nigeria, because of the uniform results from all locations, we are confident that threats of late blight would be successfully contained in Nigeria with the release of these late blight resistant varieties that will be available in 2025.
“We just need one more year of regulatory multilocation data to present them to National Biosafety Management Agency for environmental release. If we get the permit for environmental release this year, we will take them to On-farm trials in 2025.
Since the first genetically modified crops were approved in 1995, no GMO products have been shown to be harmful to humans. GMOs have improved yields, reduced losses from insect attacks, and contributed to nutritional enhancements.
Since the first genetically modified crops were approved in 1995, no GMO products have been shown to be harmful to humans.
GMOs have improved yields, reduced losses from insect attacks, and contributed to nutritional enhancements like Golden Rice.
Authorities worldwide have evaluated the safety without finding any harm to consumers or the environment.
A long history of evaluations
Safety evaluations of GMOs began long before the first biotechnological crops were approved and sold in 1994. Prominent scientists, such as Paul Berg, raised questions about the safety of biotechnology and organized the Asilomar Conference in 1973 to discuss potential risks and how they could be minimized.
Since then, significant scientific work and funding have been devoted to evaluating potential risks and developing methods to ensure minimal risk to consumers and the environment from biotechnological products.
Each GMO is carefully evaluated before being used in commercial production, and monitoring continues even after it has reached the market, but no harm to consumers or the environment has been discovered.
Global acceptance and resistance
Despite evidence of GMO safety and benefits, there is still resistance and demands for labeling of foods containing genetic modifications. Many African countries have adopted the Cartagena Protocol as a tool to keep GMOs out of their countries, despite a lack of good food.
GMOs have played a crucial role in improving production, yield, and reducing risks from chemical insecticides or fungicides. They also help to address challenges such as an increasing population, reduced arable land, and rising energy costs.
Improvements through genetic modification, such as the nutritional enhancements of Golden Rice and drought tolerance in some crops, demonstrate the technology’s potential to contribute positively to humanity’s progress and environmental health.
It is important to continue informing and educating the public about the safety and benefits of GMOs to increase acceptance of these important scientific advances. Education and transparent communication are crucial to overcoming misunderstandings and building a more sustainable and safe food system for the future.
Australia has just approved a banana that has been genetically modified to resist the fungal infection known as Panama Disease — a devastating threat to banana crops around the world.
It is the first GM banana ever approved, but varieties designed to resist other crop diseases are already in the works.
Money in the banana stand: Bananas are big business. As of 2023, the industry was valued at $25 billion, and many people around the world depend on the fruit for income or nutrition.
At any moment, though, a country’s banana industry can be crippled by an invasion of Panama Disease TR4 — an incurable, practically ineradicable infection.
“[The fungus] stays in the ground for more than 50 years, wiping out banana crops and destroying farms for generations.”JAMES DALE
TR4 has been spreading globally for decades and attacks nearly all banana varieties, including the Cavendish banana, the world’s most popular variety since a previous epidemic of Panama Disease wiped out the Gros Michel banana in the 1950s.
“The devastating Panama Disease TR4 is caused by a soil-borne fungus that stays in the ground for more than 50 years, wiping out banana crops and destroying farms for generations,” said James Dale, director of the Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities at Australia’s Queensland University of Technology (QUT). “It is a huge problem.”
Two decades to save the banana: Dale and his colleagues have spent more than 20 years developing the QCAV-4 banana, a genetically modified (GM) variety of the Cavendish banana that is highly resistant to Panama Disease TR4.
All that hard work has now paid off, as Australian regulators recently ruled that the GM banana is as safe and nutritious as unmodified bananas. If the nation’s food ministers don’t question the ruling by mid-April, the banana will be approved for sale in Australia.
“This is a wonderful example of fundamental research progressing through a commercialisation journey into a tangible outcome … it’s fantastic to reach this milestone,” said Margaret Sheil, QUT’s Vice-Chancellor Professor.
How it works: QCAV-4 isn’t the first gene-edited banana to be approved for human consumption — in 2023, the Philippines greenlit a variety of banana that was edited to not turn brown so quickly.
That was done by simply silencing a gene the banana already had, though. The QUT team created its GM banana by splicing in a gene called “RGA2” that comes from a wild banana variety. This gene makes those bananas nearly immune to Panama Disease, and while Cavendish bananas have the same gene, their version is dormant.
“There’s nothing scary,” Dale told ABC News. “The gene was already present in Cavendish … It just doesn’t work, so we have put in a version that works.”
“This is really our safety net.”JAMES DALE
Looking ahead: If the GM banana is approved for sale in Australia, that doesn’t mean anyone is going to start growing and selling it — the QUT team views QCAV-4 as a back-up plan, something that could be produced if Panama Disease started spreading across Aussie banana farms.
“[T]his is really our safety net,” said Dale. “Cavendish bananas are not going to disappear [but] this banana is ready to go, though, if TR4 really gets going and starts to really hurt our industry.”
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Tomato brown rugose fruit virus | Cornell Vegetables: Tomato brown rugose fruit virus | Cornell Vegetables
Figure 1. The virus is not uniformly distributed throughout the plant. A virus penetrates somewhere in the plant and then moves with the phloem towards the roots. Almost at the same time, it also moves to the upper, young, and growing part of the plant, and it can take some time for the rest of the plant to become infected.
Global Plant Protection News 