- Phylogeny and genetic structure in the genus Secale. The perennial species is different from the annuals, which are divided into an Asian and a non-Asia group and show all kinds of introgression.
- Consumers’ acceptance of a local landrace: the case of purple carrots. Sure, if produced locally.
- Saving the breeds: German Farmers’ preferences for Endangered Dairy Breed conservation programs. Sure, if they get paid.
- Analysing innovations among cattle smallholders to evaluate the adequacy of breeding programs. Intensification will need more than selection within the local breed. But it’s a start.
- Genetic diversity and population structure of the USDA sweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas) germplasm collection using GBSpoly. 4 clusters: Central American, North American, South American, and others.
- Updated review of potential medicinal genetic resources in the USDA, ARS, PGRCU industrial and legume crop germplasm collections. 22 species have potential.
- Apple (Malus spp.) Breeding: Present and Future. It’s bright, apparently.
- Strategies for Olive (Olea europaea L.) Breeding: Cultivated Genetic Resources and Crossbreeding. There’s an International Olive Council, and it has a Network of Germplasm Banks.
- Genetic flow among olive populations within the Mediterranean basin. Separate Syrian and Algerian genepools.
- Traditional farmers’ varieties: a valuable source of genetic variability for biofortification programs. Back to the future.
- SDG 2.5: How Policies Affecting Trade and Markets Can Help Maintain Genetic Diversity. It’s possible, but not automatic.
- Concept and protection of traditional knowledges in agricultural heritage system: a case study of Pu’er Traditional Tea Agrosystem. Based on 269 pieces of traditional knowledge, and in trouble.
- Mining alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) nodules for salinity tolerant non-rhizobial bacteria to improve growth of alfalfa under salinity stress. They work even on their own.
- Frozen fungi: cryogenic storage is an effective method to store Fusarium cultures for the long‐term. I guess will also work on the above?
- DNA barcoding to promote social awareness and identity of neglected, underutilized plant species having valuable nutritional properties. Familiarity breeds contentment.
Brainfood: Potato errors, Cryo maize, Fish ABS, Salamander poaching, Better niches, Diverse urban farms, Old growth, Space seeds, Breeding networks, Mating systems
- Genetic Identity in Genebanks: Application of the SolCAP 12K SNP Array in Fingerprinting and Diversity Analysis in the Global In Trust Potato Collection. 11 mismatches between 250 original samples and their putative in vitro counterparts.
- Maize seed cryo-storage modifies chlorophyll, carotenoid, protein, aldehyde and phenolics levels during early stages of germination. But do the effects last?
- Sharing aquatic genetic resources across jurisdictions: playing ‘chicken’ in the sea. Fish resources need cooperative governance too.
- Imminent extinction in the wild of the world’s largest amphibian. Because it’s a luxury food, believe it or not.
- Community structure informs species geographic distributions. Include coexisting species in niche models for better results.
- Increasing plant diversity with border crops reduces insecticide use and increases crop yield in urban agriculture. Planting soybeans, maize and vegetables around rice was bad for pests and good for profits in Shanghai.
- Where are Europe’s last primary forests? Mountains, mainly.
- Seeds in space. Orbiting Svalbard, anyone?
- Resistance Genes in Global Crop Breeding Networks. Networks for cassava, potato, rice, and wheat “are clustered due to phytosanitary and intellectual property regulations, and linked through CGIAR hubs.”
- Plant Mating Systems Often Vary Widely Among Populations. One estimate is never enough.
Talking, and tweeting, cassava in Benin
If you’re at all into cassava, you’re probably at the IVth International Cassava Conference. If you can’t make it, you can of course follow on Twitter, and probably lots of other ways too. James Legg is, as usual, particularly active.
Buzz in the house changes to a hush as the Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st century 2018 (GCP21) gets underway at the Marina Hotel, Cotonou. An exciting programme on Global cassava research ahead for the coming week @IITA_CGIAR @benin #GCP21benin2018 pic.twitter.com/8f4ionpONc
— James Legg (@jamesplegg) June 11, 2018
And here’s a nice idea, a prize for the best cassava pic.
https://twitter.com/aszyniszewska/status/1006786458139709440
LATER: Finally, James again, bringing it all together.
Global Cassava Partnership for the 21st century – Benin 2018
Wheat landraces get together
As part of the 1st International Conference of Wheat Landraces for Healthy Food Systems, the local host is planning a field day that would showcase a variety of wheat landraces, including those sent in by conference participants.
Another nice idea.
Hen Gymro "old Welsh" landrace wheat on a trip to Italy for #ICWL18 #IWLC18 #landraces #anciengrains https://t.co/rdpRffavN9 for @Brockwell_Bake & @WelshGrain , Andrew @scotlandbread & Eyal @e5bakehouse checking how it has travelled, looking good. pic.twitter.com/kFEniNFqIr
— Brockwell Bake (@Brockwell_Bake) June 15, 2018
Potato Congress comes home
The 10th World Potato Congress starts today in Cuzco. If you’re there and the panoply of social networking opportunities available is not enough for you, let us know and we’ll give you a platform here.