Hidden Secrets of Mangrove Swamp Rice Stored Seeds in Guinea-Bissau: Assessment of Fungal Communities and Implications for Food Security
Sofia Conde,
Amidu Barai,
Sílvia Catarino,
Gonçalo J. Costa,
Sónia Ferreira,
Idília Tavares,
Maria Rosa Ferreira,
Marina Padrão Temudo,
Filipa Monteiro
Affiliations
Sofia Conde
CEF, Forest Research Centre, Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Amidu Barai
LEAF, Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Sílvia Catarino
Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes (cE3c) & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, 1749-016 Lisbon, Portugal
Gonçalo J. Costa
The Cricket Farming Co., Ltd., Quinta do Galinheiro, S. Pedro, 1001-904 Santarém, Portugal
Sónia Ferreira
CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universida do Porto, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
Idília Tavares
LPV, Laboratório de Proteção Vegetal, Direção dos Serviços da Proteção Vegetal, Granja de Pessubé—Ministério da Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural, Bissau P.O. Box 71, Guinea-Bissau
Maria Rosa Ferreira
LPV, Laboratório de Proteção Vegetal, Direção dos Serviços da Proteção Vegetal, Granja de Pessubé—Ministério da Agricultura e Desenvolvimento Rural, Bissau P.O. Box 71, Guinea-Bissau
Marina Padrão Temudo
CEF, Forest Research Centre, Associate Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Filipa Monteiro
LEAF, Linking Landscape, Environment, Agriculture and Food Research Center, Associated Laboratory TERRA, School of Agriculture, University of Lisbon, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon, Portugal
Rice cultivation is one of the most important agro-economic activities in many countries, and the correct seed storage between production cycles is essential for crop success. In Guinea-Bissau, mangrove swamp rice (MSR) is a highly productive rice cropping system, thus providing surplus for sale. Depending on storage conditions, rice grains may present moisture, insects, or the development of fungi that might affect crop productivity. Considering different rice varieties and storage conditions, samples were collected from 30 farmers within 13 villages across the main MSR-producing regions. Stored rice was used to isolate and identify seed-borne fungi through DNA barcoding, to test aflatoxin content, and to evaluate seed germination rates. Polyethylene bags (the container), raised wooden platforms, and storage rooms (the structures) are the most used facilities. Hermetic containers were recorded mainly in Oio. A total fungal richness of 18 genera was found, and 16 different species were identified. The most represented fungal genera are Aspergillus, Curvularia, and Bipolaris. Despite the presence of aflatoxin-producing fungal samples, they did not present concerning levels for human consumption, and the germination rate was not affected regardless of storage structures. These results provide a baseline on fungi occurrence in stored MSR seeds from traditional facilities in Guinea-Bissau.
