Identification, Selection, Multiplication and Distribution of Improved Planting Materials of Cassava Varieties to Farming Communities

Project Goal

To mitigate the effects of the current and potential food security in Western Kenya through exchange and development of cassava germplasm and accelerated  multiplication of CMD resistant varieties.

Progress

A virulent form of cassava mosaic disease has devastated most traditional cassava varieties in western Kenya since 1994. In response, KARI introduced six hundred cassava clones into open quarantine at KARI-Alupe center from Serere-Uganda in 1998. In 1999, the clones were evaluated for their resistance to cassava mosaic disease, bacterial blight, anthracnose disease and pests - specifically cassava green mites. The clones were also evaluated for low cyanide potential, high dry matter and high yields. Fourteen fast- track clones with desirable characteristics were selected from the large pool of germplasm and bulked at KARI-Alupe in preparation for multiplication trials.The fourteen clones were:

MM96/5280, MM96/1871, MM96/3868, MM96/4052, MM96/4466, MM96/4684, MM96/4884, MM96/7151, MM96/7688, MM96/9308, MM96/9362, TME-14, UNKNOWN 2, MH95/0183

Multi-locational trials of the clones were established during the short-rains of the year 2000 at seven sites in Western Kenya. The earlier introduced varieties SS₄ and Migyera, which had been distributed to farmers, were used as controls together with   farmers’ most preferred traditional variety. The trials were planted at seven sites in Western Kenya identified by researchers and extension officers. Identification of sites was based on contrasting agro-ecological zones. Three of the sites were on the Northern and four on Southern in relation to the Equator. The sites were at:

1.      Matungu division in Butere/Mumias district

2.      Amukura division in Teso district

3.      Ukwala division in Siaya district

4.      Kaspul division in Rachuonyo district

5.      Muhuru Bay division in Migori district

6.      Kehancha division in Kuria district

7.      Mabera division in Kuria district

Four farmers at every site planted at least seven entries. The four farmers at each site represented a replicate of the entire trials. An augmented design was adopted. From the date of planting, the clones were participatorily evaluated by farmers, extension personnel and researchers at an interval of three months up to twelve months. They were evaluated for their agronomic qualities, resistance to diseases and pests. In the final evaluation, yield attributes such as the sizes and shapes of tubers, appearance of tubers and overall yield performance of each clone were measured. Appearance and taste of boiled tubers, and processing contributed to overall acceptability.

Four clones out of the fourteen were most preferred by the stakeholders at all the seven testing sites. The clones are:  MM96/5280,MM96/1871,MM96/4466 and MH95/01843. Seven other clones were preferred by at least 75% of the stakeholders. The clones are; TME-14, MM96/7688,MM96/4684.MM96/3868.MM96/4884,MM96/9362 and MM96/9308. A total of eleven preferred clones have since the long rains 2002 been bulked at six primary sites on a total of 15 hectares and on secondary sites in six districts on a total of six hectares. Sites with small plots have been established in several districts in Western Kenya as well. The demand for the new clones by farmers is overwhelming because of their favorable agronomic characteristics.

During the long and short rains of the year 2003, two primary sites measuring two hectares and twenty secondary sites of measuring one hectare will be established. It is expected that at least 10 million stem cuttings will be bulked and distributed to farming communities in Western Kenya during the year 2003. Due to the high yield of the new cassava clones, famine and persistent food shortages will be reduced in Western Kenya reasonably though there will still be great need for more planting materials.

Funding

The work reported here was supported by Rockefeller foundation (USA), Gatsby Charitable foundation (UK) office of foreign Disaster Assistance (USA) and Kenya Agricultural Research Institute.