ABSTRACT Striga hermonthica (Del.) and low soil nitrogen (low N) are among the most important constraints to maize production and productivity in West Africa (WA). Knowledge and understanding of the inheritance of Striga resistance and low N tolerance in early maturing maize inbreds are invaluable in developing hybrids adapted to both low N and Striga-infested environments in WA. The objectives of the present study were to (i) assess the genetic diversity among the inbred lines using simple s...
ABSTRACT Niger’s rice production has not been able to match growth in demand. The slow growth in domestic rice production has been attributed to salinity, non-adapted germplasm, and low farmer adoption of improved varieties. This study was carried out to: determine farmers’ perception on influence of salinity in rice production and their preference for rice varieties in salt affected areas; identify potential sources of genes for salt tolerance from local and exotic rice germplasm; determ...
ABSTRACT Agriculture in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) is under serious threat due to water shortage, population pressure and climate change. Cowpea, a protein-rich legume crop complements staple cereal and tuber crops in the diets of rural and urban people of the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It therefore, plays a significant role in the sustainability of food and nutrition security in SSA. Cowpea, though reported to be inherently drought tolerant; but because it is mostly grown...
ABSTRACT The potential of cowpea to address food security in Burkina Faso in particular is well established. However, there is limited information on drought tolerance and diversity in the germplasm in Burkina Faso and farmers’ perceptions on the effects of drought and their varietal preferences are not known. The present study was, therefore, conducted to: (1) identify farmers’ perceptions on the impact of drought on cowpea production and identify their preferences regarding cultivar...
ABSTRACT This study was conducted in the Northern guinea and Sudan savannas of Zaria and Kano, Nigeria to: (i) identify cowpea production constraints and assess farmer and consumer perceptions and preferences on grain quality traits in cowpea, (ii) assess the variability of grain nutritional values (protein, iron and zinc contents) of cowpea accessions from Africa and other parts of the world, (iii) determine the mode of inheritance of iron and zinc contents in cowpea grains and (iv) determin...
ABSTRACT Cowpea (Vigna unguiculatan (L.) Walp.) is a grain legume cultivated worldwide in over 14 million ha but its productivity in Senegal is seriously affected by the infestation of Striga gesnerioides (Wild.) Vatke, a parasitic weed. Striga resistance is an important trait that is missing to most cultivated varieties in Senegal. Its negative effect on cowpea is exacerbated by drought which is a threat to agriculture. The present dissertation describes various optionstaken on the improvem...
ABSTRACT Sorghum is a staple crop and a major source of food and energy for the World’s developing countries. However, its utilization as human food is constrained by the low availability of its proteins after wet cooking which could lead to malnutrition, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. West Africa has a great diversity of sorghum yet, its study and use for improved protein digestibility remains unexplored. To provide knowledge on the characterization of West African sorghum germplasm for...
ABSTRACT In Togo, the quantity of rice produced is very low compared to the needs of the country. Farmers and consumers prefer aromatic rice. The main objective of this research was to increase the local production and supply farmers with aromatic and higher yielding varieties. It was conducted to lay the foundation of a rice breeding programme in Togo. Therefore, the research investigated farmers’ preferences and production constraints, established a germplasm collection and studied its g...
ABSTRACT Genetic diversity provides the capacity for plants to meet changing environments and farmers' preferences, and to establish heterotic patterns, essential for an efficient and sustainable hybrid breeding program. Group interviews and formal surveys were conducted in North and South-Sudan agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso to assess farmers’ preferences and evaluate their perception of constraints to maize production. Fifty-nine INERA and forty one elite CIMMYT, IITA, U.S and Euro...
ABSTRACT The study was carried out to understand the genetic basis for yield under drought environments, and to map quantitative trait loci associated with yield and yield related components under drought stress in sweetpotato. The sweetpotato BxT mapping population, generated from a cross between sweetpotato varieties Beauregard and Tanzania was used for this study. Genotypes were evaluated in irrigated and drought environments to evaluate the effect of drought on yield and yield related par...
ABSTRACT Sweetpotato has immense potential for food and nutrition security in Ghana. It is however, infrequently used in local cuisines. Breeders have attributed this low utilization to the fact that sweetpotato lacks quality characteristics that make it amenable to local food preparation. The present study was carried out to develop varieties that combine high dry matter, low sugar and high β-carotene traits, to meet the needs of Ghanaian consumers. A Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and...
ABSTRACT Pearl millet is a major food crop in the northern part of Nigeria. However, its production has been constrained due to several factors, among them is Striga hermonthica. To understand pearl millet farmers’ varietal preference traits, production constraints and knowledge of Striga infestation, a participatory rural appraisal was conducted across six districts in three local government areas of Jigawa State in Nigeria. Data were sourced using a semi-structured questionnaire among 143...
ABSTRACT This study was undertaken to identify key traits that are closely related to cassava yield under drought stress and also identify stable high yielding cassava genotypes under varying environments. A survey was conducted using in semi-structured questionnaire in three districts in the Northern Region involving 120 farmers to identify farmers’ perception on drought in cassava cultivation, production constraints, mitigation strategies and preferences for improved cassava genotypes. To...
ABSTRACT Groundnut rosette disease (GRD), transmitted naturally by aphids, Aphis craccivora, is the most destructive viral disease of groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.) in Nigeria and causes serious yield losses to farmers. The narrow genetic base among groundnuts has impeded efficient utilization for development of host resistance to GRD. Studies were undertaken in Nigeria to: (i) ascertain farmers‘ knowledge of and preferences for rosette resistant genotypes; (ii) assess the genetic divers...
ABSTRACT Postharvest physiological deterioration (PPD) is a serious abiotic stress in cassava that renders the roots unmarketable, thereby reducing the economic value of the crop. This study was undertaken to determine farmers‟ perception of PPD and identify cassava genotypes with delayed PPD that can be used for better shelf life improvement of cassava. A Participatory Rural Appraisal was conducted among 490 respondents that comprised farmers, processors, marketers and consumers in 12 com...