Finger millet (FM; Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.) is becoming increasingly vulnerable to various climate-induced stresses, because of which the genetic and genomic resources will be important for improving the crop in the 21 st century. Currently, sizable-untapped genetic resources exists that offer promise for FM improvement to biotic and abiotic stresses. Also, earlier reports elaborate on the potential FM genomic resources, such as molecular markers, genetic maps, and DNA sequence, but the data are scanty to support the efficient and accelerated delivery of the climate-smart FM varieties. This is partly attributable to the delayed availability of complete genome sequence (CGS) of FM. Following the latest developments in FM genomic research, based on the CGS, a diversity of genomic resources have been reported. The review, therefore, provided a detailed analysis on the FM genetic and genomic resourcesaided interventions that could contribute to the three pillars of Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) for addressing FM production challenges under changing climate. Exceptionally, it presented enriched information on additional useful sources of variation within FM genetic resources that have been screened for improving FM tolerance to various climate-induced stresses. Also, it presents the novel opportunities for CSA that could come as a result of the recent availability of CGS data for revolutionizing the development of cutting-edge-molecular breeding tools. Specifically, emphasis was placed on genome-wide-based technologies, such as genomic selection (GS), gene pyramiding, and gene expression with the second-generation genomic biotechnologies, such as TILLING and EcoTILLING that are wanting and have received little attention.
Climate change and agriculture are interlinked and affect each other globally. The global population continues to rise while food and nutritional insecurity remain main global challenges facing humanity. Traditional agriculture methods need transformation to climate smart agriculture (CSA) approaches that have potential to improve food production amidst climate change realities. The review aimed at evaluation of published literature on CSA, establishment of CSA linkages with national development plans for Uganda and Ethiopia, African Union Agenda 2063, UN Sustainable Development Goals and CSA contribution to biodiversity conservation across the globe. Additionally, the review aimed at identifying opportunities and challenges of CSA in the 21 st Century and recommend possible options for all stakeholders for improved income, environmental conservation, and food and nutritional security. Literature search from 2000-2019 was carried out using key words and key phrases in relevant journals and authentic websites. It was found out that CSA supports three pillars: 1) Sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and incomes, 2) Adapting and building resilience to climate change, 3) Climate change mitigation and contributes to Biodiversity Conservation and management. CSA approach has potential to improves food security and farmers' income. CSA has a vast number of opportunities that include availability of crop genetic diversity, availability of interested CSA researchers, gene banks for genome resources for CSA crop enhancement; enhanced technology for CSA practices that can be accessed by farmers and vibrant research organizations and donor agencies interested in promoting CSA approaches. CSA challenges were identified to include: limited technical and financial capacity and negative attitude from smallholder farmers. It was concluded that CSA approach is a better option for the present and centuries to come farmers across the globe for the attainment of the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2015-20130, UN Agenda 2063 and national development plants of most African countries including Uganda and Ethiopia. The review recommended that capacity building for farmers and researchers need to be done and governments and donor agencies should provide soft CSA loans to farmers to supporting CSA practices and technologies in all developing countries and the approach should be adopted by all the farmers and be promoted by all stakeholders at all levels in both the present and future centuries.
Groundnuts (Arachis hypogaea L.) are the second most important legume crops after beans, an important source of protein (23 to 25%), fats/oils (40 to 52%) and carbohydrates (10 to 20 %) and widely grown and consumed in Uganda including the Lake Albert Crescent Zone (LACZ). Due to susceptibility of local varieties to groundnut rosette, National Agricultural Research Organisation (NARO) through the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI) developed and released the serenut varieties. Adaptive trials were therefore established in the LACZ, to select the most location specific adapted varieties for promotion in this ecologically diverse zone. Four serenut varieties namely serenut 5, 8, 10 and 14 and a locally grown variety (Red beauty) were planted on three farmers' fields in each of the three sub-ecological areas. Data were collected on total pod dry weight (yield), number of pods and on 100 seed weight. In this study, we show that overall yields of serenut 5, serenut 14, serenut 8 and serenut 10 were highly significantly (P < 0.001) different for all traits measured across the subecological areas. Best yields were recorded from the humid tropical rain forest sub-ecological area where 1900 kg/ha were obtained for serenut 14, 2366 kg/ha for serenut 10, 1763 kg/ha for serenut 8 and 1795 kg/ha for serenut 5. The yields obtained from these varieties were generally worst in the semi-arid sub-ecological area. These serenut varieties are generally adapted to wider environmental conditions although their performance per se was found to be generally inconsistent. This study has also found that among all the varieties tested, Serenut 5 was the best adapted across all the sub-ecologies. Overall, we therefore recommend farmers in this ecologically diverse zone to grow these groundnut varieties with improved growing practices such as timely planting, timely weeding, earthing up and pest and disease management in order to obtain consistent high yields.
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