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Restoration
of cassava production in western Kenya updates
Identification,
Selection, Multiplication and Distribution of Improved Planting Materials
of Cassava Varieties to Farming Communities,
by Hannington M. Obiero
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.
Acknowledgement
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.
For
more information please contact
The
Director.
KARI-KAKAMEGA
P.O.
Box 169
Tel.0331-30039
Email;
kari-kk@swiftkisumu
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