The Sweet Potato Virus Reversion Project (SPVRP), led by Dr Peter Wasswa at Makerere University, Kampala, aims to investigate the causes and mechanism for ‘reversion’ of sweet potato virus infection. With the project moving towards its conclusion, in February 2018 the AgShare.Today team travelled to Makerere to help visualize and process the SPVRP team’s data and cement the project’s legacy. While they were there, the AgShare team had the chance to meet with Dr Wasswa and catch up on the progress of the project and the achievements he and his team have made.

Through their research, the SPVRP team have generated a great deal of knowledge about the genotypes of sweet potato varieties which show reversion, and those which do not. They also investigated the conditions in which reversion is most likely to occur. For example, they observed that reversion is seen more frequently at higher temperatures and in the presence of nitrogen-based fertilizers. Since the project began in 2014, a specialized virology lab has been constructed at Makerere. This lab is the first of its kind at the university, allowing researchers working on the SPVRP to use new techniques including ELISA tests, sample extractions and real-time PCR procedures. The lab also provides a modern space for the training of PhD and MSc students.

The project’s collaboration with international partners has also created the opportunity for one such student to conduct research at the Agricultural Research Organization Volcani Center in Israel. This partnership opens the doors for knowledge sharing and further collaborative progress at both institutions.

As the project continues, the SPVRP team aim to investigate the genes responsible for reversion in sweet potato. Finding the responsible genes would allow breeders to develop sweet potato cultivars which combine the traits of typically non-reverting varieties with the added reversion gene. This would have a significant impact on resilience of sweet potato crops to disease, improving food security and protecting the livelihoods of farmers.

The post Achievements of the Sweet Potato Virus Reversion Project: Interview with Dr Peter Wasswa first appeared on AgShare.Today.

These major international awards celebrate outstanding international projects. The panel receives hundreds of entries each year from very large projects, and we have been told that this year’s list of entries was the largest ever.

Being placed in the runners up category was therefore a major achievement for a comparatively small program like AgShare.Today. This commendation is recognition of the program’s innovative approach and the impact it is having. This achievement is not just the result of work by the AgShare core team, but also stems from the hard work and dedication of all of the project’s partners and stakeholders.

If you would like to know more about AgShare.Today, email c.ashe@agshare.today.

The post AgShare.Today Program “Highly Commended” at the 2018 British Expertise International Awards first appeared on AgShare.Today.

With this training, WAVE female scientists are now better equipped to communicate their research supporting food security in Africa. It will also enhance their skills in writing proposals so that they can carry out more of this crucial work, which could save crops that more than 800 million people in Africa rely on for food.

The WAVE project has a strong focus on equal opportunities and as such benefits from a large number of female scientists, from MSc students to professors. The project also brings together scientists from Anglophone and Francophone countries. By delivering the training in both English and French, AgShare ensured that all participants could fully benefit from the course.

Linda Ezeji, a research scientist who attended the training commented on its value: “This workshop has improved my existing knowledge on journal article writing. I didn’t have any knowledge on how to write a proposal but with this workshop, I think I’m good to go.”

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CDP’s field surveys are mapping the spread of two viruses affecting cassava yields: Cassava Mosaic Virus (CMV) and Cassava Brown Streak Virus (CBSV). Cassava is the main source of calories for 500 million people across Africa and a reduction in cassava yield caused by CMV or CBSV could lead to widespread famine. CDP is therefore tracking the prevalence of these viruses in East Africa with the aim of preventing them from spreading further.

The visuals produced by AgShare will be included in the papers that CDP’s researchers will submit for publication in peer-reviewed journals. These visuals – which include maps and graphs – are an important addition because they help readers to better understand and engage with complex data. High-impact journals recognise this and, as such, they are more likely to publish the project’s work. The publication of CDP’s work in high-impact, open access  journals will increase its reach and impact. This boost to research communication will in turn help to drive forward cassava disease research, which is essential for protecting a crop that is so important for African food security.

The post Data visualisation shows the spread and severity of cassava diseases in Kenya first appeared on AgShare.Today.