Research Case Study By: Tanvi Mareddy
Sub-Saharan Africa is susceptible to climate variability, and although each region has considerably different conditions, the overall area tends to experience drastic climate changes. The area experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, causing irregular weather patterns and rainfall distribution. The region faces challenges such as sensitivity to factors like El Niño and tropical storms, making it difficult for agriculture to thrive. However, despite these adversities, cultivated climate-resilient crops have shown promise in maintaining agricultural productivity.
Yams
In Benin, Equatorial Guinea, and Togo, yams are among the prominent staple crops due to their resilience and importance in the local diet and economy. Yams exhibit drought resilience that stems from their extensive root system. They have fibrous roots and branched structures that allow yams to access water underneath just the upper soil layers. Additionally, a storage organ called the tuber lets yams accumulate and store nutrients during periods of abundance.
Yam plants also form symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi, which help extend the root's reach into the soil. This allows an increase in nutrient uptake, with emphasis on phosphorus.
Yams have also been able to adapt to intense climates, through physiological adaptations. These adaptations involve efficient mechanisms such as the transfer of sugars from photosynthesis and water from roots via vascular tissue. Yams have adapted stomatal regulation where guard cells control the opening and closing of the stoma, minimizing water loss and adjusting depending on environmental conditions. The flexibility of their metabolic pathways lets yams easily respond to changing environmental stimuli.
Baobab
The baobab tree, commonly found across Africa, is notorious for its adaptability. As a succulent, it can absorb water in its trunk during wet seasons, which helps it continue to produce fruit throughout the dry season. In Madagascar, for instance, the Baobab tree evolved to store water in its trunk, up to 80%. They also have an incredibly long lifespan, some living over a thousand years.
Maize
Maize showcases unique adaptability across different elevations. In high elevations, maize has a shorter growing season, early flowering, and increased cold tolerance, optimizing its resilience in cooler climates. Low-elevation varieties have adapted to warmer conditions, featuring longer growing seasons and traits that improve photosynthesis and heat tolerance.
Conclusion
The exceptional resilience among crops in Sub-Saharan Africa not only benefits local agriculture but also serves as a potential model for evolving other forms of agriculture. Leveraging breeding tools like QTL mapping and genome studies can help identify genetic differences, offering insights for developing resilient crop varieties, and contributing to global food security.
Citations:
The Baobab Tree:Africa’s iconic “Tree of life.” Aduna. (n.d.). https://aduna.com/blogs/learn/the-baobab-tree#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20succulent%2C%20which,grow%20in%2032%20African%20countries.
Fell, A. (2016, September 16). Maize genetics may show how crops adapt to climate change. UC Davis. https://www.ucdavis.edu/news/maize-genetics-may-show-how-crops-adapt-climate-change#:~:text=Maize%20has%20already%20shown%20that,to%20adapt%20to%20new%20environments.
Slideshare. (2016, November 28). Yam Physiology. SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/IITA-CO/yam-physiology
You are being redirected... (n.d.). https://www.iita.org/news-item/researchers-identify-adaptive-traits-with-immense-potential-for-yam-improvement/
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