A. Characterisation of the genetic status of 58 landraces sample: From 650 guinea landraces evaluated for 18 parameters, 58 were retained as a representative of the diversity, geographical distribution, yield potential and grain quality. They were identified using 3 caudatum A lines (manely ICSA9001, ICSA8702, ICSA38 as B for 32 entries and R for 15 entries). 11 were rejected because of its partial seed set.

Conversion of caudatum A lines to guinea A lines: 2 guinea A lines are currently available of Sariaso 09 A and CRPA 19 A. They have reached the F1BC6 stage and have been used to make the first guinea hybrids. During 2002 growing  season, five new guinea  A lines reached the F1BC6 stage. They were derived from ICSA8207 and guinea landraces and include: Oueni A, CRPA 33 A, G205 A, CVS 435 A and CRPA 22 A

New guinea A lines developed in 2002

Expected new Guinea A lines: About 64 new guinea A lines are in the pipeline (F1BC4 or F1BC5). 151 entries ranged from F1BC2 to F1BC6. They derived from the 3 ICSA caudatum lines and include: 

First experimental guinea hybrids developed

1. sariaso 09 A x Nongomsoba

2. sariaso 09 A x sariaso 02

3. sariaso 09 A x CVS 532

4. sariaso 09 A x Ouedzouré

5. sariaso 09 A x Tioadi

6. sariaso 09 A x S29

7. sariaso 09 A x Frikan

8. sariaso 09 A x CRPA 13

9. sariaso 09 A x sariaso 01

10. CRPA 19 A x Nongomsoba

11. CRPA 19 A x CVS 532

12. CRPA 19 A x Ouedzouré

13. CRPA 19 A x CRPA B

14. CRPA 19 A x S 29

Team work: An important output of the project was to bring scientists from three institutes to work together as a team, share knowledge, experiences, materials and made visits to various experiments and explored new research agenda. Experiments in Samanko were visited twice and Fred Rattunde came twice to our station. Financial support from the Rockefeller Foundation has increased the potential of each team and helped speed up the work. Sharing of research activities among the team members will continue in the future while new avenues on R lines will be explored in order to increase the potential of the guinea hybrids.