Browsing by Author "John Dixon"

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The relative importance of drought and other water-related constraints for major food crops in South Asian farming systems
(2011) Xiaoyun Li; Stephen R. Waddington; John Dixon; Arun K. Joshi; M. Carmen de Vicente
Variation in water availability is a major source of risk for agricultural productivity and food security in South Asia. Three hundred and thirty expert informants were surveyed during 2008-09 to determine the relative importance of drought and water-related constraints compared with other constraints limiting the production of four major food crops (wheat, rice, sorghum, chickpea) in five broad-based South Asian farming systems. Respondents considered drought an important constraint to crop yield in those farming systems that are predominantly rainfed, but associated it with low yield losses (well below 10% of all reported losses) for crops in farming systems with well-developed irrigation. In these systems, other water-related constraints (including difficult access to sufficient irrigation water, the high cost of irrigation, poor water management, waterlogging and flooding of low-lying fields) were more important. While confirming the importance of drought and water constraints for major food crops and farming systems in South Asia, this study also indicated they may contribute to no more than 20-30% of current yield gaps. Other types of constraint, particularly soil infertility and the poor management of fertilizer and weeds for the cereals, and pests and diseases for chickpea, contributed most yield losses in the systems. Respondents proposed a wide range of interventions to address these constraints. Continued investments in crop-based genetic solutions to alleviate drought may be justified for food crops grown in those South Asian farming systems that are predominantly rainfed. However, to provide the substantial production, sustainability and food security benefits that the region will need in coming decades, the study proposed that these be complemented by other water interventions, and by improvements to soil fertility for the cereals and plant protection with chickpea. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media B.V. & International Society for Plant Pathology.
Wheat genetic resources enhancement by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT)
(2008) Rodomiro Ortiz; Hans-Joachim Braun; José Crossa; Jonathan H. Crouch; Guy Davenport; John Dixon; Susanne Dreisigacker; Etienne Duveiller; Zhonghu He; Julio Huerta; Arun K. Joshi; Masahiro Kishii; Petr Kosina; Yann Manes; Monica Mezzalama; Alexei Morgounov; Jiro Murakami; Julie Nicol; Guillermo Ortiz Ferrara; J. Iván Ortiz-Monasterio; Thomas S. Payne; R. Javier Peña; Matthew P. Reynolds; Kenneth D. Sayre; Ram C. Sharma; Ravi P. Singh; Jiankang Wang; Marilyn Warburton; Huixia Wu; Masa Iwanaga
The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) acts as a catalyst and leader in a global maize and wheat innovation network that serves the poor in the developing world. Drawing on strong science and effective partnerships, CIMMYT researchers create, share, and use knowledge and technology to increase food security, improve the productivity and profitability of farming systems and sustain natural resources. This people-centered mission does not ignore the fact that CIMMYT's unique niche is as a genetic resources enhancement center for the developing world, as shown by this review article focusing on wheat. CIMMYT's value proposition resides therefore in its use of crop genetic diversity: conserving it, studying it, adding value to it, and sharing it in enhanced form with clients worldwide. The main undertakings include: long-term safe conservation of world heritage of both crop resources for future generations, in line with formal agreements under the 2004 International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, understanding the rich genetic diversity of two of the most important staples worldwide, exploiting the untapped value of crop genetic resources through discovery of specific, strategically-important traits required for current and future generations of target beneficiaries, and development of strategic germplasm through innovative genetic enhancement. Finally, the Center needs to ensure that its main products reach end-users and improve their livelihoods. In this regard, CIMMYT is the main international, public source of wheat seed-embedded technology to reduce vulnerability and alleviate poverty, helping farmers move from subsistence to income-generating production systems. Beyond a focus on higher grain yields and value-added germplasm, CIMMYT plays an "integrative" role in crop and natural resource management research, promoting the efficient use of water and other inputs, lower production costs, better management of biotic stresses, and enhanced system diversity and resilience. © 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.