Improve food security and agroecosystem sustainability in tropical-subtropical regions of China and Africa through increased productivity of common bean and soybean on low phosphorus soils.

Specific Objectives

  1. Identify and develop legume genotypes with superior yield in low P soils of South China and Mozambique/Malawi/Tanzania. Output- several new soybean and common bean genotypes released through regional and local seed systems that have at least 25% greater yield in low P soils than existing cultivars.
  2. Determine effects of P-efficient legumes on productivity andsustainability of agroecosystems. Output- a) completion of multi-year nutrient cycling/erosion studies in China and Mozambique, b) completion of multi-year intercropping studies of maize/soybean (China) and maize/common bean (Mozambique).
  3. Characterize socioeconomic constraints to and impacts of nutrient efficient germplasm on local communities in target regions. Output- completion of ex-ante and ex-post analyses of constraints and opportunities for P-efficient soybeans in South China and P-efficient common beans in Mozambique.
  4. Develop scientific capacity for enhanced legume production and utilization in Mozambique through short-term training, degree training, workshops, and extension education. Output- Ph.D. training of 4 IIAM scientists at PSU, short-term training of 6 Mozambican educators at SCAU, dozens of IIAM extensionists trained in workshops.
  5. Improve household income and nutrition in poor rural villages in South China through the introduction of new P-efficient soybean cultivars. Lay the foundation for such impact in Mozambique/Malawi/Tanzania through activities 1-4.

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