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Chere, A.T.

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Chere
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A.T.
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Chere, A.T.
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0000-0003-4321-1396

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2014 - 201918
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Now showing 1 - 10 of 18
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    Combining ability analysis of quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines for grain yield, agronomic traits and reaction to grey leaf spot in mid-altitude areas of Ethiopia
    (Academic Journals, 2017) Tilahun, B.; Dida, M.; Deressa, T.; Garoma, B.; Demissie, G.; Kebede, D.; Dagne Wegary Gissa; Chere, A.T.
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    Molecular diversity and selective sweeps in maize inbred lines adapted to African highlands
    (Nature Publishing Group, 2019) Dagne Wegary Gissa; Chere, A.T.; Prasanna, B.M.; Tadesse, B.; Alachiotis, N.; Negera, D.; Awas, G.; Abakemal, D.; Ogugo, V.; Gowda, M.; Semagn, K.
    Little is known on maize germplasm adapted to the African highland agro-ecologies. In this study, we analyzed high-density genotyping by sequencing (GBS) data of 298 African highland adapted maize inbred lines to (i) assess the extent of genetic purity, genetic relatedness, and population structure, and (ii) identify genomic regions that have undergone selection (selective sweeps) in response to adaptation to highland environments. Nearly 91% of the pairs of inbred lines differed by 30–36% of the scored alleles, but only 32% of the pairs of the inbred lines had relative kinship coefficient <0.050, which suggests the presence of substantial redundancy in allelic composition that may be due to repeated use of fewer genetic backgrounds (source germplasm) during line development. Results from different genetic relatedness and population structure analyses revealed three different groups, which generally agrees with pedigree information and breeding history, but less so by heterotic groups and endosperm modification. We identified 944 single nucleotide polymorphic (SNP) markers that fell within 22 selective sweeps that harbored 265 protein-coding candidate genes of which some of the candidate genes had known functions. Details of the candidate genes with known functions and differences in nucleotide diversity among groups predicted based on multivariate methods have been discussed.
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    Genotype x environment interaction of quality protein maize hybrids under contrasting management condition in Eastern and Southern Africa
    (Crop Science Society of America (CSSA), 2019) Mebratu, A.; Dagne Wegary Gissa; Mohammed, W.; Chere, A.T.; Tarekegne, A.T.
    Drought and low soil fertility are major abiotic stresses limiting yield of maize (Zea mays L.) in eastern and southern Africa. The present study was undertaken to determine genotype by environment interaction (GEI) and grain yield stability of quality protein maize (QPM) experimental hybrids. A total of 108 hybrids, including two commercial checks, were tested across 13 environments under drought, low N, and optimal environments in Ethiopia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe in 2015 and 2016. Environment, hybrid, and hybrid × environment interaction effects were significant (P < 0.01) across environments and within management conditions. The highest yielding hybrids were H40, H41, H56, and H58 under optimum management; H2, H9, H40, and H87 under low N; H3, H10, H11, and H94 under drought; and H9, H10, H40, H56, and H94 across environments. The GEI and grain yield stability analysis using different models indicated that additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI), and genotypic main effects plus GEI (GGE) models were more efficient and precise compared to the linear regression stability model in identifying high-yielding hybrids with stable performance. Based on the AMMI and GGE biplots, the most promising QPM hybrids were identified under different management conditions. Hybrid H40 was the most outstanding genotype under various management conditions and could be used in breeding programs or commercialized in target areas. Gwebi optimum and Bako low N were identified as the most discriminating and representative environments under the contrasting management conditions. In general, results of the present study depicted the possibility of developing high-yielding and stable QPM hybrids for stress and nonstress conditions.
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    Quality protein maize (QPM) for school feeding in Ethiopia: stakeholders consultation, sensory evaluation and potential impact
    (MedCrave, 2018) Belayneh, D.; Yetneberk, S.; Chere, A.T.; De Groote, H.
    Recently there is an increased attention among policy and research practitioners on the link between school feeding programs (SFP) and agricultural development. Through purchases and procurement of locally produced foods, SFP are thought to enhance the domestic production and demand for food and stimulate local agricultural economy. Quality protein maize (QPM) varieties, which are being disseminated in Ethiopia by CIMMYT, are superior to conventional maize (CM) varieties in their protein quality. However, for QPM to be adopted in SFP, sensory acceptance by the end-users should be assessed, specifically when the targets beneficiaries are young children. Furthermore, the potential challenges and opportunities for its supply to SFPs should be analysed by involving pertinent stakeholders involved in maize value chain. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess sensory evaluation of QPM among 95 adolescent girls in two primary schools in Ethiopia on a popular local porridge-like product Kinchie through central location testing, and also assess potential challenges and opportunities in QPM production and distribution through stakeholders’ consultation. Results of sensory evaluation showed that Kinchie made from QPM varieties, both yellow QPM (BHPQY 545) and white QPM (AMHP 760Q), were much appreciated for aroma, taste and overall appreciations. Nevertheless, among QPM varieties, the students liked the Kinchie made from yellow QPM (BHQPY 545) more than Kinchie made from a white colored QPM (AMH 760Q) in all sensory attributes except appearance. The result also showed that the effect of order of food presentation had a significant and positive effect only for aroma (P< .05). Stockholder consultation result also showed that local maize grain producers and traders and other institutions involved in maize value chain were enthusiastic to engage in QPM production and supply through contract farming. In conclusion, consumer acceptance is unlikely to impede uptake and impact of QPM use in the place of CM varieties in SFPs.
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    Mega-environment targeting of maize varieties using Ammi and GGE bi-plot analysis in Ethiopia
    (Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, 2018) Wolde, L.; Keno, T.; Tadesse, B.; Bogale, G.; Chere, A.T.; Abebe, B.
    In multi-location experimental trials, test locations must be selected to properly discriminate between varieties and to be representative of the target regions. The objective of this study were to evaluate test locations in terms of discrimination ability, representativeness, and desirability, and to investigate the presence of mega-environments using AMMI and GGE models and to suggest representative environments for breeding and variety testing purposes. Among 19 maize varieties tested across 11 environments, mean grain yield ranged between 4.47 t/ha (BH545) to 7.49 t/ha (BH546). Both AMMI and GGE models identified G14 and G1 as desirable hybrids for cultivation because they combined stability and higher average yield. Nonetheless, as confirmed by GGE analysis BH546 was most closest to the ideal genotype hence, considered as best hybrid. Environment wise, E9 and E4 were the most stable and unstable test environments, respectively. The 11 test environments fell into three apparent mega-environments. E9 formed one group by its own, E1, E2, E3, E5, E6, E7, E8 and E11 formed the second group and E4 and E10 formed the third group. E3, E5 and, E7 were both discriminating and representative therefore are favorable environments for selecting generally adapted genotypes. E4, E9 and E10 were discriminating but non-representative test environments thus are useful for selecting specifically adapted genotypes. E8 and E11 were nondiscriminating test environments hence little information about the genotypes. The results of this study helped to identify mega-environments, also representativeness and discriminating power of test environments better visualized with the GGE bi-plot model.
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    First Report of Maize chlorotic mottle virus and Maize Lethal Necrosis on Maize in Ethiopia
    (American Phytopathological Society (APS), 2015) Mahuku, G.; Wangai, A.; Sadessa, K.; Chere, A.T.; Dagne Wegary Gissa; Ayalneh, D.; Adams, I.; Smith, J.K.; Bottomley, E.; Bryce, S.; Braidwood, L.; Feyissa, B.; Regassa, B.; Wanjala, B.W.; Kimunye, J.N.; Mugambi, C.; Monjero, K.; Prasanna, B.M.
    Maize lethal necrosis is a disease of maize caused by the combination of Maize chlorotic mottle virus (MCMV) and any of the viruses belonging to the Potyviridae family. Maize lethal necrosis was first identified on the African continent in Kenya in 2012 (Wangai et al. 2012), and subsequently in Rwanda (Adams et al. 2014), and the Democratic Republic of Congo (Lukanda et al. 2014). In Africa, maize lethal necrosis symptoms have been associated with MCMV and Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV). In July 2014, maize plants exhibiting severe yellowing and chlorotic mottle symptoms were observed in the Upper Awash Valley of Ethiopia. From a survey of 12 farms in the Central Rift Valley, 126 samples were collected from maize (100 samples) and other grass species (26 samples, including Johnsongrass, couch grass, unidentified grass sp., Digitaria sp., sedge, sorghum, Setaria spp., and sugarcane), and either with symptoms or without virus symptoms. Samples were analyzed for the presence of SCMV and MCMV using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with polyclonal antibodies produced against the East African strains of MCMV and SCMV. Of the nonmaize samples, MCMV was detected in Johnsongrass, Digitaria sp., sedge, Setaria sp., sugarcane, and an unidentified grass species, whereas SCMV was detected only in Setaria sp. To confirm ELISA results, greenhouse-grown maize plants were mechanically inoculated with sap extracted from eight MCMV-positive maize samples. Chlorotic mottle symptoms were observed, and the presence of MCMV confirmed by ELISA. Maize plants inoculated with sap extracted from MCMV-positive Digitaria sp. developed typical MCMV symptoms, and the presence of MCMV confirmed by ELISA. Plants inoculated with sap extracted from SCMV-positive samples developed mild to severe mosaic symptoms and tested positive for SCMV. None of the plants inoculated with sap extracted from Johnsongrass, sedge, or sugarcane samples tested positive for MCMV. To establish the genetic affinity of the Ethiopian strains to those previously described in Kenya and Rwanda, whole virus genomes were sequenced from six samples using IlluminaMiSeq (2 samples) and IlluminaHiSeq (4 samples) as described by Adams et al. (2014). All the six samples contained MCMV and three samples had SCMV. Phylogenetic tree constructed based on the complete genomes of MCMV showed that the isolates found in Ethiopia were highly similar (>99% identity) to those found previously in East Africa (Adams et al. 2013, 2014). In contrast, phylogenetic tree constructed using coat proteins of the sequenced SCMV isolates from Ethiopia were found to be similar to each other and to those found in Rwanda (Adams et al. 2014) with 96% identity, but relatively distant from those originally found in Kenya (Adams et al. 2013). To our knowledge, this is the first report of MCMV and maize lethal necrosis on maize in Ethiopia, as well as MCMV in some alternate Poaeceae family hosts. The results illustrate the need for further studies to identify alternate hosts for maize lethal necrosis-causing viruses, investigate the role of seed transmission of SCMV and MCMV, create awareness among the stakeholders about maize lethal necrosis, and strengthen diagnostic and surveillance capacity in sub-Saharan Africa to minimize further spread of the disease.
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    Chapter 7. Fast-tracking the development and dissemination of a drought-tolerant maize variety in Ethiopia in response to the risks of climate change
    (The Climate-Smart Agriculture Papers, 2019) Tadesse, B.; Azmach, G.; Keno, T.; Chibsa, T.; Beyene, A.D.; Demissie, G.; Dagne Wegary Gissa; Wolde, L.; Chere, A.T.; Regasa, M.W.
    Climate change projections suggest increased frequency of drought in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The replacement of old varieties of maize with new drought-tolerant (DT) varieties will be crucial to respond to the future risk of drought, as it already is today. The first group of locally developed maize hybrids in Ethiopia—BH140, BH660 and BH540—were commercialised between 1988 and 1995, but were not selected for drought tolerance. Among these, BH660 remained the most popular and widely grown maize variety in the Ethiopian maize belt between 2000 and 2010, accounting for nearly 50% of maize area under improved seed. A new DT hybrid, BH661, with better agronomic performances under optimum and random drought than BH660, was identified and released in 2011. In 2016, 9000 tonnes of certified seed—enough to plant 360,000 ha—was produced and marketed. The concerted effort of breeders and seed producers as well as governmental and non-governmental extension workers drove the development, release and rapid adoption of BH661 contributing to food and income security of more than 300,000 households by mitigating the effects of climate change in Ethiopia. The success of BH661 is a valuable and timely case study for breeders, seed companies, extension agents, regulatory bodies and policy-makers striving to develop and disseminate new DT varieties in sub-Saharan Africa.
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    Gender Mainstreaming in the Nutritious Maize for Ethiopia (NuME) Project
    (CIMMYT, 2018) Tsegaye, M.; Buttner, M.; Williams, G.J.; Chere, A.T.
    The Nutritious Maize for Ethiopia (NuME) Project aims to mainstream gender by promoting gender-aware thinking and activities at distinct implementation levels. Evidence shows that gender inequality is closely connected to food and nutrition insecurity (e.g., Belachew et al. 2011; Haidar and Kogi-Makau 2009). Women face genderspecific constraints regarding access to and control over agricultural resources such as land, inputs and credit. Though playing a major role in agricultural production and related tasks, they often lack knowledge of new agricultural technologies and practices, and agricultural extension regularly excludes them. Given women’s important, though underappreciated, role in agriculture and in the family as primary caregivers, their inclusion in all phases of the maize production and consumption chain was identified as imperative.
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    Curriculum and modules for quality protein maize (QPM) training
    (CIMMYT, 2017) Chere, A.T.; Kelemu, K.; Tadesse, A.; Dagne Wegary Gissa
    This QPM course curriculum has been prepared to acquaint ATVET students on the production and benefit of quality protein maize. It is presented under three competencies describe the basic features of QPM (genetics, history and nutritional benefits of QPM); characteristics and adaptation of QPM varieties released in Ethiopia; and QPM seed maintenance procedures and preventing grain contamination. By learning this course, the graduates can get the wisdom and means to stand against the pervasive menace of undernutrition in Ethiopia using a very cheap and simple approach, biofortification.
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