Drought Tolerant Maize_074808.pptx.agriculture

drought.agriclture.

1. Drought Tolerant Maize

2. Introduction H istory of modern-day corn began about 10,000 years ago when ancient farmers in Mesoamerica began cultivating a wild grass called teosinte , which still grows in Mexico. Corn, also known as maize, spread northward via Native Americans, who brought it up the Mississippi River. In more recent history, efforts to improve drought tolerance in maize have become crucial, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Initiatives like the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) project, launched in 2007, aimed to develop drought-resistant varieties for African countries facing frequent droughts. In the U.S., advancements include both genetically engineered and non-GMO drought-tolerant maize, such as Monsanto's Drought Gard contains gene called cspB though its effectiveness is limited under severe drought conditions. Recent research focuses on discovering physiological mechanisms to improve corn's performance under drought, given the increasing importance of this trait for corn production globally.

4. Application gene editing The key point related to corn from this passage concerns the use of CRISPR–Cas9-mediated mutations to enhance drought tolerance in crops through improved stomatal response. Specifically, CRISPR mutations at key genetic loci like OST2 and NPR1 have been shown to improve stomatal regulation, reduce water loss, and enhance drought tolerance in crops like tomatoes and rice. This could potentially be applied to corn as well, where enhancing drought tolerance through transgenic or genome editing techniques could significantly improve its resilience in water-limited conditions.

5. Zhang et al. (2021) detected the role of Bx12 and ZmGLK44 genes in regulating metabolite biosynthesis and drought tolerance in maize while Gaffney et al. (2021) revealed several drought related biomarkers such as neophaseic acid, hydroxyabscisic acid, methyl itaconate, several phospholipids and lysolecithin, etc. Application of Drought-Tolerant Maize Agriculture: Initiatives like Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) and Water Efficient Maize for Africa (WEMA) have successfully introduced over 160 drought-resistant maize varieties, benefiting around 40 million people.

6. These varieties improve yields by 20-30% in drought conditions, generating an additional $160-200 million annually in sub-Saharan Africa. Healthcare: Improved maize yields help secure food supplies, reducing poverty and malnutrition. By stabilizing crop production, drought-tolerant maize helps mitigate health risks associated with food scarcity, especially in vulnerable populations. Environmental Conservation: Drought-tolerant maize promotes sustainable agriculture by reducing the need for irrigation and chemical inputs.

7. This conserves water and minimizes environmental degradation, supporting biodiversity and resilience against climate variability, crucial for long-term ecological health. Ethical and Social Implications: Food Security and Equity: GM drought-tolerant maize offers a potential solution to enhance food security, particularly in regions prone to climate change.

8. Biodiversity Risks: Concerns exist about how GM maize may affect local ecosystems, potentially reducing biodiversity by interacting with native species. Impact to food security Health Canada has notified Monsanto Canada Inc. that it has no objection to the sale of food derived from Drought tolerant corn MON 87460. The Department conducted a comprehensive assessment of this corn event according to its Guidelines for the Safety Assessment of Novel Foods (September 1994). These Guidelines are based upon internationally accepted principles for establishing the safety of foods with novel traits. 

9. Future prospects of the subject The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) analyzed the potential of crop genetic engineering to reduce water usage and enhance drought resistance. While biotech companies like Monsanto have promised genetically engineered crops that can thrive in drought conditions, only one such crop, DroughtGard corn, received regulatory approval by 2011. However, data from Monsanto and the USDA show that this corn variety produces only modest results, particularly in moderate drought conditions. UCS points out that droughts vary in severity and timing, with factors like soil quality affecting crop resilience.

10. Because many genes influence drought tolerance, genetic engineering's current ability to manipulate only a few genes at a time limits its effectiveness in addressing drought across diverse scenarios. High Seed Costs, The initial cost of DTM seeds can be prohibitive for smallholder farmers, particularly in regions where financial resources are limited. This can lead to unequal access, favoring wealthier farmers and exacerbating existing inequalities within agricultural communities. Conclusions

11. The development and adoption of DTM are not only important for enhancing agricultural resilience but also for improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Research indicates that farmers who grow DTM can achieve significantly higher yields compared to those who do not, translating into increased income and food availability. Furthermore, DTM varieties contribute to sustainable agricultural practices by promoting water use efficiency and reducing dependency on irrigation, which is often not feasible in many farming communities. the importance of drought-tolerant maize extends beyond mere crop yield; it encompasses broader socio-economic benefits and environmental sustainability, making it a critical component in the fight against hunger and poverty in drought-prone areas.

12. References: Recent Advances for Drought Stress Tolerance in Maize ( Zea mays L.) Retrieved from : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9189405/ Improving drought tolerance in maize: Tools and techniques - PMC - NCBI Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9651916/ Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) - CIMMYT Retrieved from: https://www.cimmyt.org/projects/drought-tolerant-maize-for-africa-dtma / Recent Advances for Drought Stress Tolerance in Maize ( Zea mays L.) Retrieved from : https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/plant-science/articles/10.3389/fpls.2022.872566/full Efficacy of Event MON 87460 in drought-tolerant maize hybrids ... Retrieved from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1687157X24000519