Potential role of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of “lost crops of Africa”: the case of fonio (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua)

Fonio (Digitaria spp), considered as one of the lost crops of Africa, remains an important food crop for millions of people in Africa. The intimidating challenge today is to produce enough fonio to meet the growing demand for its products. Research has an important role to play in enhancing fonio production in Africa. This paper discusses the innovative research techniques of agricultural biotechnology that are particularly relevant to facilitating the genetic improvement of fonio for higher productivity. The paper considers the potential role of biotechnology applications like DNA markers in understanding the evolution, origin, distribution and diversity of fonio in Africa; somaclonal variation in generating genetic variability in fonio; and genetic transformation in circumventing fonio breeding barriers to introduce alien genes of agronomic importance into fonio. Key words: Fonio, Digitaria exilis, Digitaria iburua, lost crops. African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 2 (12), pp. 580-585, December 200

Evaluation of seed treatment fungicides for the control of the rice blast disease caused by <i>Pyricularia oryzae</i>

No Abstract

Effects of seed dressing fungicides on blast disease of rice under different water regimes

No Abstract

Water management practices for sustainable rice production in Nigeria

No Abstract.Nigeria Agricultural Journal Vol. 38 2007: pp. 40-4

The Resistance of Farmers' rice Varieties to Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV) at Badeggi, Nigeria

Forty-eight farmers' rice varieties and 12 improved and released varieties were screened in the screenhouse at the National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI) Badeggi, Nigeria by mechanical sap inoculation for their resistance to Rice Yellow Mottle Virus (RYMV). The rice varieties were categorized into 4 groups: highly susceptible, moderately susceptible, moderately resistant and resistant, based on standard evaluation scale (SES) for rice. Back-inoculation tests to a highly susceptible variety, Bouake 189 and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that none of the varieties was immune to RYMV. The highly susceptible varieties displayed conspicuous yellow, mottle and stunting symptoms of RYMV. Many varieties were highly susceptible to RYMV and elicited high virus titre. Most of these farmers' varieties are either highly susceptible or moderately susceptible to RYMV

Potential role of biotechnology tools for genetic improvement of “lost crops of Africa”: the case of fonio (Digitaria exilis and Digitaria iburua)

Fonio (Digitaria spp), considered as one of the lost crops of Africa, remains an important food crop for millions of people in Africa. The intimidating challenge today is to produce enough fonio to meet the growing demand for its products. Research has an important role to play in enhancing fonio production in Africa. This paper discusses the innovative research techniques of agricultural biotechnology that are particularly relevant to facilitating the genetic improvement of fonio for higher productivity. The paper considers the potential role of biotechnology applications like DNA markers in understanding the evolution, origin, distribution and diversity of fonio in Africa; somaclonal variation in generating genetic variability in fonio; and genetic transformation in circumventing fonio breeding barriers to introduce alien genes of agronomic importance into fonio