Sustainable resource management coupled to resilient germplasm to provide new intensive cereal–grain–legume–livestock systems in the dry savanna

Accelerating genetic gains in legumes for the development of prosperous smallholder agriculture: integrating genomics, phenotyping, systems modelling and agronomy

“…Combining organic and mineral fertilizer is a sound management principle for smallholder farmers when combined with techniques such as crop rotations to improve soil fertility and nutrient availability. Two examples clearly illustrate the integration of integrated soil fertility management principles: (i) dual purpose grain legume-maize rotations with P fertilizer targeted at the legume phase and N fertilizer targeted at the cereal phase in the moist savanna agro-ecozone (Sanginga et al, 2003), and (ii) micro-dose fertilizer applications in legume-sorghum or legume-millet rotations with retention of crop residues and water harvesting techniques in semi-arid agro-ecozones (Bationo et al, 1998). In trials in West Africa, control of early season insect pests and diseases increased crop vigor, and greater yields have been reported in legumes such as cowpea (Tekwa et al, 2010) and groundnut (Yakubu et al, 2011) with ApronStar, a seed treatment fungicide-insecticide mixture for controlling downy mildew, damping-off diseases, as well as for protection of seeds and seedlings against early season insect pests and soil-borne diseases.…”

A consensus genetic map of cowpea [ Vigna unguiculata (L) Walp.] and synteny based on EST-derived SNPs

“…Several parts of South America (particularly northeastern Brazil and Peru) and parts of south Asia (India, Myannmar), the Middle East, and the southern regions of North America are also important cowpea production regions (2). Cowpea is a particularly valuable component of low-input farming systems of resource-poor farmers because of its productivity and yield stability in the face of abiotic stress (drought, heat, low soil fertility), and the ability of the crop to enhance soil fertility for succeeding cereal or tuber crops grown in rotation (3). With its greater tolerance to heat, drought, and low soil fertility (4) and yet close evolutionary relatedness to other economically important grain legumes such as common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and soybean (Glycine max), cowpea can serve as a model species for crop adaptation to these stresses.…”

Environmental services from tropical agroforestry systems

“…It is indisputable that decreasing vegetation cover has caused a reduction in nutrient cycling and soil fertility (Sanginga et al, 2003). As deforestation and ecosystem deterioration in the tropics has occurred in part due to land clearing for conventional livestock raising, strategies to help mitigate its negative impacts on the environment have been developed.…”

“…Es indiscutible que la disminución de la cubierta vegetal ha causado una reducción en el ciclo de nutrientes y fertilidad del suelo (Sanginga et al, 2003). Tal como se ha producido la deforestación y el deterioro de los ecosistemas en los trópicos, en parte debido al desmonte de tierras para la ganadería convencional, también se han desarrollado estrategias para ayudar a mitigar el impacto negativo en el medio ambiente.…”