ABSTRACT
Fusarium wilt (FW) is the most severe soil-borne disease of chickpea that causes yield losses up to 100%. To improve FW resistance in JG 11, a high-yielding variety that became susceptible to FW, we used WR 315 as the donor parent and followed the pedigree breeding method. Based on disease resistance and yield performance, four lines were evaluated in station trials during 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 at Kalaburagi, India. Further, two lines, namely, Kalaburagi chickpea desi 5 (KCD 5) and KCD 11, which possesses the resistance allele for a specific single-nucleotide polymorphism marker linked with FW resistance, were evaluated across six different locations (Bidar, Kalaburagi, Raichur, Siruguppa, Bhimarayanagudi and Hagari) over a span of 3 years (2020-2021, 2021-2022 and 2022-2023). KCD 11 exhibited notable performance, showcasing yield advantages of 8.67%, 11.26% and 23.88% over JG 11, and the regional checks Super Annigeri 1 (SA 1) and Annigeri 1, respectively, with enhanced FW resistance in wilt sick plot. Further, KCD 11 outperformed JG 11, SA 1 and Annigeri 1 in multi-location trials conducted across three seasons in the North Eastern Transition Zone, North Eastern Dry Zone, and North Dry Zones of Karnataka. KCD 11 was also tested in trials conducted by All India Coordinated Research Project on chickpea and was also nominated for state varietal trials for its release as a FW-resistant and high-yielding variety. The selected line is anticipated to cater the needs of chickpea growers with the dual advantage of yield increment and disease resistance.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundCOVID19 pandemic has had major impact on consumption levels and inequality within India. Government policy interventions have targeted poor households for cash and food transfers. It is important, however, to study the impact of the pandemic on consumption levels of non-poor in India, and in particular the middle class. In this paper, we aim to quantify the changes in consumption levels and inequality over time, across all groups of rural households in India. MethodsWe analyze three rounds of COVID 19-related shock surveys between May and September 2020. These surveys cover rural households of six large states in India and are representative of more than 442 million (52% of Indias rural population). FindingsIn the early phase of the pandemic, it was the bottom 40% of households that experienced the most severe decline in consumption. But as the pandemic deepened, consumption declined across all classes of households. Besides the poorest, it was particularly severe for the middle class (defined as 40%-80%). We also measure consumption inequality over time and find that the Gini coefficient of consumption distribution increased significantly. InterpretationIn addition to focusing on poor households, policy responses to alleviate peoples sufferings would have to consider a more comprehensive boost to consumption and compensate for the reduced consumption among middle class families as well. FundingNone.
