Ziel
Acid soils are estimated to cover several million hectars of crop land in the humid and subhumid tropics. Maize yields on these soils are reduced primarily because of aluminium (Al) toxicity which reduces root growth and thus acquisition of nutrients and water. The use of adapted maize cultivars rather than correction of soil acidity by liming is one of the key elements of Low External Input Sustainable Agriculture.
The overall objective of the project is the increase of maize production on acid tropical soils by breeding of cultivars adapted to these soils. The operational goal is the development of a screening methodology which is simple enough to be applied in DC laboratories. This strategy requires a better understanding of the factors limiting maize production on acid soils, especially the dynamics of Al, and the physiology of Al toxicity and tolerance.
The project integrates the theoretical and practical knowhow of plant physiologists, plant nutritionists, soil scientists, agronomists and plant breeders from EC and DC countries. The characteristic of the soils will provide the necessary baseline data on the soil factors which are most limiting for maize production on the selected acid soils. These information will be complemented by characteristics of maize plants from the field experiments at these sites. On the basis of this knowledge provided by the Agronomy, Agrophysiology Breeding programes the experimental conditions for the screening work will be adjusted. The studies of the physiology of Al toxicity and tolerance are aimed at identifying a "physiological marker" which could be used to facilitate the screening procedure. In vitro culture will be especially helpfull in this regard and is a prerequisite for the development of non-conventional breeding techniques. Close interaction and transfer of screening techniques into DC maize agronomy and breeding programs will guarantee the rapid transfer of this knowledqe into practical breeding progress.
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30419 HANNOVER
Deutschland