Chilli (Capsicum spp.) is essential to Sri Lanka’s agricultural economy and household nutrition. However, the sector faces ongoing challenges, including low dry chilli productivity, pest and disease pressures particularly from the chilli leaf curl complex and a heavy dependence on expensive imported dried chillies. To tackle these issues, the Sri Lankan Department of Agriculture (DOA) and the Field Crops Research & D evelopment I nstitute ( FCRDI) developed MICH Hy1, a high-yielding, p est-resistant hybrid chilli variety suited to local conditions. From 2019 to 2021, the ‘KOPIA Chilli Project’ initiated a participatory hybrid seed production initiative in Kothmale, involving farmers in a decentralized seed system utilizing insect-proof net houses and capacity-building programs. This collaborative approach has successfully enhanced seed quality, improved farmers’ incomes, increased the availability of affordable hybrid seeds, and reduced reliance on imported varieties. The initiative highlights the potential of farmer-led hybrid seed systems to strengthen national seed security, empower rural communities, and promote sustainable chilli cultivation in Sri Lanka.
To investigate the relationship between diseases and abnormal symptoms during the cultivation of summer Kimchi cabbage, we developed molecular markers for four pathogens: Pseudomonas marginalis pv. marginalis (Pmm), Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Ecc), and Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. conglutianans (Foc). These markers produced specific bands for each pathogen, indicating their potential for pathogen detection. We conducted molecular diagnoses to analyze the infection status and examine the association of these four pathogens, along with Verticillium dahliae (VD), with the abnormal symptoms observed in highland summer Kimchi cabbage. The analysis successfully detected several pathogens; however, discrepancies were noted in pathogen detection for similar symptoms, highlighting the need for further research to pinpoint the exact causes. The primary pathogens identified were Foc, Xcc, and Ecc. In samples where no pathogens were detected, the abnormal symptoms were suspected to stem from boron deficiency, which can manifest as drying, or from water stress due to low humus content in soils, exacerbated by frequent rainfall. To accurately determine the causes of abnormal symptoms in highland summer Kimchi cabbage related to climate change, it is essential to expand molecular diagnostics to include a broader range of pathogens. Concurrent research on nutritional and physiological disorders is also recommended.
Hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) is a key vegetable crop in Ethiopia, significantly contributing to nutrition, income generation, and foreign currency earnings. However, its production faces ch allenges f rom pests and a shortage o f improved v arieties t h at o ffer acceptable y ields and quality. T his study aimed to identify varieties with higher green pod yields and quality. A field experiment was conducted at four agricultural research centers—Melkassa, Woramit, Debre Markos, and Wendogenet—and one commercial farm in Koka during 2021 and 2022. Six hot pepper genotypes (CCA-984-A, CCA-321, CCA-323, Mr. Lee no. 3 selex, Melka Awaze, and Chala) were evaluated using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The combined analysis of variance across locations and years revealed significant differences among the genotypes in both marketable and total yield. CCA-323 achieved the highest marketable pod yield at 225.72 q/ha, followed closely by the Chala check at 204.81 q/ha. A similar trend was noted for total green pod yield. The performance of the genotypes was highly significant (P<0.01) under both irrigation and rain-fed conditions. Additionally, significant differences genowere observed in various traits, including days to 50% flowering, plant height, plant width, pod weight per plant, pod length, pod diameter, and pod wall thickness. The CCA-323 genotype demonstrated an elongated pod shape, dark green color, smooth surface, high storability, and medium pungency, aligning well with consumer preferences in the green pod market. It proved to be a highly stable and high-yielding genotype. As a result, CCA-323 was released as ‘Koka-1’ for green pod production in the tested sites and similar agro-ecologies of Ethiopia. This variety is expected to enhance both the economic and nutritional value for hot pepper farmers and consumers and can serve as a parental line for future breeding programs.
This study assessed suitable lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) cultivars and lighting conditions for indoor hydroponic cultivation in Mongolia, examining their applicability in a household-scale vertical farming system. Three cultivars— ‘Jeokchima,’ ‘Cheongsangchu,’ and ‘Meiguodashusheng’— were grown under two lighting treatments: LEDs and T5 LEDs. ‘Jeokchima’ demonstrated the most consistent and superior growth across both harvests, exhibiting significantly higher leaf length, SPAD value, dry weight, and leaf number compared to the other cultivars. The use of LED lighting enhanced all growth parameters, except for petiole length, compared to T5, highlighting its advantages in arid indoor environments. Based on these findings, a compact three-tier Deep Water Culture (DWC) system was designed as a model for urban households, facilitating year-round lettuce production in limited indoor spaces. This model shows promise for enhancing vegetable self-sufficiency and food security in Mongolia. Further research on optimizing light spectra, managing photoperiods, and diversifying cultivars is recommended.
Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is a significant root vegetable cultivated worldwide, notably used as an ingredient in Korean Kimchi. The highland regions of Bolivia, particularly Cochabamba, offer a potentially favorable environment for growing Korean radish. However, to ensure successful adaptation to the local climate, it is essential to select suitable varieties and evaluate their growth performance. In this study, we assessed the adaptability of seven Korean radish varieties at an altitude of 2,600 meters in Sipe Sipe, where the KOPIA Bolivia center is located. Our findings revealed distinct characteristics among all seven varieties. The most suitable varieties were identified based on root weight, root shape, leaf development, and total yield. This study provides valuable insights for the future cultivation of Korean radish in Bolivia.
This study aimed to provide agricultural drones to small-scale rice farming communities and assess their ability to manage and utilize these drones collaboratively without external support. Conducted in Paraguay in 2024, this research was part of the Korea Partnership for Innovation in Agriculture (KOPIA) project under the Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea. The target f armers w ere f rom six communities in t he I tapúa and Misiones d epartments t hat had adopted KOPIA's cultivation techniques to enhance rice productivity. In rice fields, drones are primarily utilized to spray pesticides, including herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides, as well as to apply urea fertilizer. The shared use of drones was organized into two groups: one for the Itapúa Department and another for the Misiones Department, with each group receiving one drone. Community members shared the drones and collected per-hectare usage fees to cover pilot fees, drone repairs, and spare parts. From August 2024 to July 2025, during one rice season, the Itapúa Department group recorded 106 drone usage services, w hile the Misiones Department g roup had 1 18 services. In the Itapúa g roup, approximately 70.2% of the total funds collected were spent on shared drone use, with around 38.4% allocated for pilot fees. Sharing agricultural machinery could provide a viable solution, enabling tenant farmers to access essential equipment without the financial burden of ownership.
Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a crucial global crop, serving as a significant source of protein and oil. However, its productivity is increasingly at risk due to climate change, particularly from drought stress. While conventional breeding has successfully identified and crossed drought-tolerant genotypes like DT2008 and slow-wilting lines, these efforts face challenges such as lengthy breeding cycles, strong environmental influences, and limited yield improvements. Molecular techniques, including genome-wide association studies, quantitative trait locus mapping, and marker-assisted selection, have enhanced the efficiency of identifying and selecting beneficial traits. Nevertheless, drought tolerance remains a complex polygenic trait. Biotechnology advancements introduce new possibilities; for instance, genetic modification has incorporated drought-responsive genes like AtDREB1A, codA, and GmNAC to improve survival, osmoprotection, and root development under water stress. Additionally, genome editing tools such as CRISPR/Cas9 allow for precise modifications of key loci and may enjoy greater public acceptance than traditional GM crops. Notable successes, such as the TN16-520R1 cultivar, which combines drought and herbicide tolerance, highlight the potential of integrating these technologies. Accurate evaluation methods are critical, with laboratory assays offering physiological insights, greenhouse experiments assessing gene function, and field trials confirming performance in real-world conditions. Future advancements in soybean breeding for drought tolerance will rely on integrating these complementary screening methods into high-throughput phenotyping pipelines to expedite the breeding process. In summary, improving soybean drought tolerance demands a synergistic approach that merges traditional diversity-based breeding with cutting-edge molecular techniques and genome editing. Key priorities include discovering functional genes, implementing precision phenotyping in field settings, and developing integrated breeding pipelines that simultaneously address drought and other stresses, such as heat and disease. This strategy aims to produce resilient cultivars capable of maintaining soybean productivity in the face of climate change.
This study examined planting seasons, crop rotation, and seed utilization across nine Andean p rovinces i n Ecuador: Carchi, I mbabura, Pichincha, C otopaxi, T ungurahua, C himborazo, Cañar, Azuay, and Loja. A total of 67 farms, representing 60.9% of those surveyed, employed legumes such as peas, beans, broad beans, lupins, and green beans to enhance soil fertility through rotation or intercropping. Among the 110 farms surveyed, 59 (53.6%) implemented a combined crop rotation scheme (including both pastures-to-crop and crop-to-crop rotations), 27 (24.5%) utilized a crop-to-crop rotation, and 18 (16.4%) focused solely on pastures-to-crop rotation. High-quality or certified seeds developed by the Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Agropecuarias (INIAP) were used in 58 fields (19% of the surveyed fields), while the remaining 81% relied on self-saved seeds. These findings indicate that family farming in the Ecuadorian Andes is increasingly adopting sustainable agricultural practices that are resilient to climate change, thereby promoting biodiversity through the use of locally adapted agricultural resources.
Global disruptions—including COVID-19, U.S.–China trade tensions, the war in Ukraine, and climate extremes—have destabilized food supply chains and increased grain price volatility. Korea, which imports nearly all grains except rice, faces significant structural vulnerabilities: its average annual demand is approximately 23 million tons, while domestic production is around 4.5 million tons (about 90% of which is rice), necessitating imports of roughly 18 million tons. This study examines Korea's overseas agricultural resource development and grain procurement policies, evaluates global grain trading structures dominated by a few multinationals (ABCD), and analyzes domestic trading practices and crisis events. Using government plans (Phases I–III) and recent performance data, we document an increase in secured overseas volumes, projected to reach 2.60 million tons in 2024, but limited domestic contributions of just 0.38 million tons (14.5% of secured volumes and about 2% of total demand). There is a heavy concentration of projects in Russia and Southeast Asia, primarily involving small, farm-scale ventures (less than 1,000 hectares). Market characteristics —such as lowest-price tenders, high logistics costs, export restrictions, and insufficient midstream assets (elevators, export terminals, refining capacity)—hinder responsiveness during disruptions. We argue that a government-led, episodic approach has not been effective, and propose that a model driven by private sector initiatives, supported by the state, is more suitable for navigating a concentrated and volatile grain market. Policy recommendations include: (i) diversifying origin portfolios and trading instruments (CFR/FOB with increased use of futures/hedging); (ii) shifting focus from smallholder production projects to scalable midstream investments (country/export elevators, storage, processing) and establishing long-term offtake agreements; (iii) mobilizing concessional finance and risk-sharing facilities to encourage private sector involvement; (iv) strengthening domestic demand linkages (early buyer onboarding, aligning tariff-rate quotas/incentives); and (v) expanding regional exposure beyond Russia to mitigate geopolitical and climate risks. By developing an integrated value chain—from production through logistics and processing to import—Korea can enhance the effective import share from secured overseas volumes and significantly improve its food security resilience.
This study evaluated the insecticidal effectiveness of eco-friendly crop protection agents against two major pests of spring onion (Allium fistulosum L.), Thrips tabaci and Spodoptera exigua. Four biopesticides—dill seed oil, paraffin oil, neem extract, and an anthraquinone (AQ) formulation— were compared to the chemical standard, carbosulfan. Both carbosulfan and dill seed oil achieved nearly 100% corrected mortality for both pests across all observation dates, with no significant difference between them (F5,45=441.88,p < 0.001). Paraffin oil and neem extract demonstrated moderate efficacy, resulting in approximately 31-33% mortality, while the AQ formulation had the lowest mortality rate at 3%. For Spodoptera exigua larvae, dill seed oil exhibited a delayed insecticidal effect: mortality was 0% at 1 day after treatment (DAT), increasing to 44.8% at 2 DAT and 51.7% at 3 DAT (F5,45=8.75,p < 0.001). Neem extract and paraffin oil also showed gradual increases in mortality, although these were not statistically significant. Overall, the findings suggest that dill seed oil is a promising eco-friendly alternative and provide valuable insights for developing pest- and growth stage-specific control measures within integrated pest management (IPM) programs for sustainable onion cultivation.
Efficient nutrient management during the production of plug seedlings is essential for ensuring the uniformity and mechanical transplantability of onion (Allium cepa L.) seedlings cultivated in high-density 448-cell trays. However, there is a lack of evidence-based guidelines for fertilizer composition specifically designed for tray-bench nursery systems. This study assessed the effects of four commercial water-soluble fertilizers with varying N–P–K formulations (S: 25-8-16, H: 23-5-15, M20: 20-20-20, M30: 30-10-10) against an unfertilized control to identify the optimal nutrient ratios for producing high-quality plug seedlings. Fertilizers were applied biweekly, beginning 14 days after sowing, and growth characteristics along with tissue mineral contents were evaluated at 48 days. All fertilized treatments significantly outperformed the control in terms of leaf number, pseudostem diameter, root number, and fresh weight (p ≤ 0.05). Among the fertilizers, M30 (30-10-10) yielded the highest-quality seedlings, demonstrating thicker pseudostems (2.5 mm), greater fresh weight (0.85 g), and the highest root count (13.7), indicating superior suitability for mechanical transplanting. Tissue analysis revealed elevated nitrogen concentrations (1.7–2.0%) in the fertilized seedlings, which supports enhanced early biomass accumulation in peat-based media with initially low nutrient levels. These results indicate that high-nitrogen fertilizer formulations effectively promote balanced shoot and root growth, as well as robust root-ball formation in onion plug seedlings. The findings offer practical guidance for fertilizer selection in tray-bench nursery systems, contributing to improved transplant success and increased labor efficiency in mechanized onion production.
This study aimed to identify the optimal winter storage temperature for preserving bulbil vigor and enhancing the efficiency of spring bulbil cultivation in garlic. Bulbils from the cultivars ‘Daeseo’ and ‘Hongsan’ were categorized into three size grades (#1: <3 mm; #2: 3–4 mm; #3: 4–5.5 mm) and stored for five months (September 2024–February 2025) under four conditions: conventional warehouse storage, 4°C, 15°C, and 25°C. The bulbils were sown in rows in an open field on 20 February 2025 and harvested on 30 May 2025. After curing for 2–3 days and air-drying for about one month, the harvested bulbs were evaluated for the number and characteristics of round bulbs. For both ‘Hongsan’ and ‘Daeseo’, storing bulbils in either a conventional warehouse or at 4°C during winter resulted in higher harvest rates. Larger bulbils consistently produced a greater number of harvested bulbs and heavier bulb weights. In ‘Hongsan’, only the #3 bulbils stored at 25°C yielded a small proportion ( 1. 2%) of multi-clove bulbs, while a ll o ther treatments resulted in single-clove bulbs exclusively. Mean bulb weight was lowest after storage at 25°C and tended to be higher under warehouse storage. In ‘Daeseo’, there was no significant difference in harvest percentage between warehouse and 4°C storage; however, the mean harvest percentage was higher and the variation among replicates was lower at 4°C. Notably, multi-clove bulbs were observed only with warehouse storage (#2: 0.35%; #3: 1.8%), while 4°C storage resulted exclusively in single-clove bulbs. Mean bulb weight increased with bulbil size across all treatments, and conditions that produced more multi-clove bulbs generally also showed heavier mean bulb weights. Overall, for spring cultivation of bulbils, 4°C storage is optimal for enhancing single-clove bulb production in ‘Daeseo’, while conventional winter storage is sufficient for ‘Hongsan’.
This study aimed to identify the optimal timing for scape removal and postharvest curing methods to effectively utilize the bulbils of the garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivar ‘Hongsan,’ which are usually discarded as by-products. Scapes were harvested five times from late May to mid-June in accordance with the bulb harvest schedule. The collected scapes underwent three curing treatments: natural drying, immersion in a solution containing 1% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and 30 g⋅L⁻¹ sucrose, and a commercial floral preservative solution with sucrose. Results showed that as the timing of scape removal was delayed, bulb weight decreased, while the number and maturity of bulbils increased. For optimal production of both bulbs and bulbils, removing scapes 15 days before the expected harvest date was the most effective approach. Among the curing treatments, natural drying yielded the highest number of large-sized bulbils and demonstrated superior labor efficiency. In contrast, the floral preservative treatment resulted in a greater proportion of immature bulbils, likely due to microbial growth in the solution that obstructed vascular tissues. Thus, for the simultaneous production of bulbs and mature bulbils in ‘Hongsan’ garlic, it is recommended to remove scapes 15 days prior to bulb harvest and to use natural drying as the most effective method.
This study aimed to identify the optimal storage and germination conditions for producing sprouts from immature bulbils of the Korean garlic cultivar ‘Hongsan’. It also evaluated the effects of LED light quality on sprout growth and compared the functional compound contents across different plant parts. Germination trials indicated that storing bulbils at 4°C for at least 64 days, followed by germination at 10-20°C, yielded the best results. Under mixed LED light treatments (Red:Blue:White), a red-dominant ratio of 4:1:0 significantly enhanced both shoot and root elongation, while germination in darkness resulted in the highest fresh and dry weights. Among the plant parts, sprouted bulbils had the highest alliin content (3,711 mg/100 g) and contained greater levels of fructose and glucose compared to cloves. Conversely, cloves had the highest fructan content, and leaves exhibited the highest total polyphenol content. These findings underscore the importance of combining proper storage and light quality for efficient sprout production from bulbils and highlight the potential of sprouted bulbils as functional food materials.