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Field phenotyping for African crops: overview and perspectives
Daniel K Cudjoe1,2, Nicolas Virlet1, March Castle1
1Sustainable Soils and Crops, Rothamsted Research, Harpenden, United Kingdom.
Frontiers in Plant Science
|October 20, 2023
Summary
Improving crop productivity in Africa requires advanced plant phenotyping. Overcoming barriers to implementing these technologies is crucial for crop breeding, food security, and precision agriculture in the region.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Plant Breeding
- Biotechnology
Background:
- African crop productivity must increase to meet population demands.
- High-yielding, resilient crop cultivars are essential for food security.
- Plant phenotyping technologies are vital for understanding crop traits and genetics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current state of field phenotyping in Africa.
- To identify challenges hindering phenotyping technology implementation.
- To explore strategies for integrating advanced phenotyping into African agriculture.
Main Methods:
- Review of current field phenotyping practices in Africa.
- Analysis of barriers (practical, financial, geographical, political) to technology adoption.
- Exploration of emerging low-cost phenotyping technologies.
Main Results:
- Africa lags in developing and implementing advanced plant phenotyping systems.
- Manual field phenotyping is error-prone, costly, and labor-intensive.
- Lack of infrastructure impedes crop improvement and impacts food security.
Conclusions:
- Integrating advanced, low-cost phenotyping technologies is key for African crop breeding.
- Overcoming implementation barriers will enhance agricultural monitoring and precision agriculture.
- Improved phenotyping capacity is critical for adapting crops to environmental challenges and ensuring food security.
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