Guidelines for farmer-level sorghum seed production and marketing in northern Somalia

This modular training manual has been prepared within the framework of the EC funded project “Farming system improved through the strengthening of local seed systems in the Galbeed and Bay Bakool regions of Somalia,” designed and implemented by the NGO CINS. The manual is mainly based on the four-years experience achieved by this project and its previous phase in Galbeed region, and therefore is specially suitable for use in Northern Somalia. Soft copies of the manual are available on request from SACB, CINS, ICRISAT and the Somalia Operations office of the EC Delegation in Kenya or alternatively can be downloaded from www.ICRISAT.org and www.delken.cec.eu.int

Heterosis and combining ability for grain and biomass yield in sorghum hybrids for the semi-arid lowlands of Eastern Kenya

Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is an important cereal crop used for food, feed, and industrial raw material. In Kenya, it’s a food and nutritional security crop in the semi-arid areas which are prone to maize crop failures. The study aimed at estimating the combining ability and heterosis for grain and biomass yield among sorghum hybrids. Thirty- four F1 sorghum hybrids, their parents and a check were evaluated at two KALRO research centers in Kenya during the 2014-2015 cropping seasons. Square lattice trial design with three replications was used and fourteen agro-morphological traits studied at each location. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant differences (p<0.001) for genotypes and locations for all traits, except for leaf length. Fresh biomass yield, panicle exertion, and plant height had high heritability, genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and genetic advance (GA %) showing the predominance of additive gene effect in their inheritance, hence these traits can be improved through direct phenotypic selection. Hybrid parents ICSR 89058, ICSV 700 and ICSR 160 were good general combiners for earliness, biomass and grain yield respectively. The highest grain and biomass yielders were ATX 623 x Macia and ICSA 206 x IESV 91104DL respectively. High magnitudes of SCA effect coupled with high heterobeltiosis, mean and standard heterosis for grain and biomass yield were noted in hybrids ATX 623 x Macia and ICSA 11035 x Macia respectively. These hybrids can be promoted for on-farm testing and possible release for food and fodder. Therefore, the improvement of sorghum grain and forage yields in the semi-arid areas of Kenya can be done simultaneously through the exploitation of heterosis by developing hybrids

Gene action of blast disease reaction and grain yield traits in finger millet

Gene action of blast reaction, yield and yield associated traits in finger millet were studied using a 4x4 North Carolina Design II mating scheme. The four female and four male parents and their 16 crosses were evaluated at Alupe and Kakamega in western Kenya in a randomized complete block design under both artificially induced and natural disease pressure. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) estimates of the traits were calculated to determine the genotypes breeding value. The GCA variance predominated over SCA variance for all traits except finger width hence these traits can be improved through selection. With high, desirable GCA effects, male parent KNE 392 and female parents KNE 744 and IE 11 are suitable for blast resistance breeding while male parent Okhale 1 is suitable for grain yield improvement. The frequency distribution for the segregating F2 generation for the three blast types differed within and between crosses which could be due to differences in gene numbers or gene combinations being expressed in the different parents used. Convergent crossing or gene pyramiding for durable resistance could be possible

Combine selection for earliness and yield in pedigree developed sorghum (sorghum bicolor l. Moench) progenies in eritrea

Thirteen progenies of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) crosses (Amal and ICSV 91078) that selected using pedigree breeding method, were evaluated along with their parental checks to obtain information on yield potential, earliness, genetic and morphological diversity. The genotypes were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications for three years (2007-2009) at Halhale research center. Significant mean squares were obtained for almost all characters in the individual analysis of variance as well as the combined analysis across seasons, suggesting that, these sorghum genotypes were highly variable for almost all the characters studied, therefore, would respond to selection. Mean values for the combined analysis of the progenies showed that Hal-1-1, Hal-4-9, Hal-13-33, Hal-11-30 and Hal-9-24 were promising cultivars in terms of grain yield and earliness. Combined analyses also showed most characters had relatively higher genotypic and phenotypic variance components and little difference between phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) indicating their variation has a genetic origin that can be exploited for further breeding programs. The genotypes also exhibited varying degrees of heritability estimates. Characters such as plant height, days to 50 % flowering and grain yield responded positively to selection because of high broad sense heritability estimates. High heritability and genetic advance was noted for plant height and days to 50% flowering indicating that these parameters were under additive gene effect and responded well for genetic improvement. However, grain weight showed high heritability with low genetic advance indicating that the trait has non additive gene action and might respond well due to its heterosis

Integrated Blast and Weed Management and Microdosing in Finger Millet: A HOPE Project Manual for Increasing Finger Millet Productivity

Finger millet is a staple food for millions of resource poor people in the semi-arid regions of Africa and Asia. In eastern Africa, it is cultivated in the lake regions of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, and in Ethiopia. In Kenya, the crop is grown in western, Nyanza and eastern regions; in Tanzania it is mainly grown in Singida, Arusha, Mbeya, Rukwa and Kilimanjaro regions, and in Uganda it is grown in the eastern and northern regions. In Rwanda, it grows in semi-arid hilly areas. Finger millet grows well in altitudes from sea level to 2,400 m in a variety of soil types ranging from poor to fertile but well drained

Variability patterns in Ugandan pigeonpea landraces.

In-situ evaluation of pigeonpea cropping system and management in Uganda and agro-morphological characterization of 29 pigeonpea landraces were studied in 2001 and 2004/05, respectively. Results showed that pigeonpea in Uganda is predominantly intercropped with finger millet and to some extent with maize and sorghum. Farmers largely used saved grain as seed and appreciated the damage by insect pests, but only farmers in Apach and Lira districts practiced any form of pest control. Observations across the collection districts indicated low levels of Fusarium wilt disease. Agronomic evaluation of the 29 accessions revealed differential adaptation at the two test locations in Kenya with accessions expressing a delayed phenology at the cooler Kabete relative to the warmer Kampi ya Mawe. Lower 100-seed weight was reported at Kabete relative to Kampi ya Mawe possibly due to excessive vegetative growth at Kabete. Cluster analysis delineated the germplasm into four clusters all separated from the adapted medium- and long-duration checks. Although overall two distinct diversity groups were observed separating the short, medium-maturing types from the tall late- and very late-maturing types, the separation was relatively marginal suggesting a closer genetic relation between the Ugandan pigeonpea germplasm. Relatively low diversity in qualitative traits was observed in the ccessions. The predominance of accessions with pubescent pods, a trait associated with resistance to pod damaging insects may provide an opportunity to identify materials for insect pest resistance for use in breeding

Diversity in Tanzanian pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] landraces and their response to environments

A total of 123 pigeonpea landraces collected from farmers' fields in four pigeonpea growing regions of Tanzania were characterized and evaluated for 16 qualitative and 14 quantitative descriptors, and their response across three pigeonpea growing environments in Tanzania and Kenya determined. Polymorphism in the qualitative traits was relatively low among accessions and across collection regions. Collections from the northern highlands exhibited lower diversity in qualitative descriptors, especially physical grain characters, relative to the other three regions, an indication of farmer selection in response to market preferences. There were significant differences in agronomic traits among accessions and in genotype-by-environment interaction (GEI). High broad-sense heritability was recorded for days to flower, days to maturity, plant height, raceme number and 100 seed mass. Principal component analysis and clustering separated variability among the accessions according to days to flower, days to maturity, plant height, number of primary and secondary branches, and number of racemes per plant. There was close clustering within and between materials from the coastal zone, eastern plains and southern plains with the northern accessions distinctly separated and with wide dispersion within them. Overall, two diversity clusters were evident with coastal, eastern and southern landraces in one diversity cluster and northern highlands landraces in another cluster. This diversity grouping established potential heterotic groups which may be used in crosses to generate new cultivars adapted to different pigeonpea growing environments with consumer acceptability. The grouping may also form a basis of forming a core collection of this germplasm representing the variability available

Breakdown of resistance to sorghum midge, Stenodiplosis sorghicola

Sorghum midge (Stenodiplosis sorghicola Coquillett) is an important pest of grain sorghum worldwide. Several sources of resistance to sorghum midge have been identified in the world sorghum germplasm collection, of which some lines show a susceptible reaction in Kenya. Therefore, we studied the insect density damage relationships for a diverse array of midge-resistant and midge-susceptible sorghum genotypes, and variation in association of glume and grain characteristics with expression of resistance to sorghum midge. AF 28 and IS 8891 showed resistance to sorghum midge both in India and Kenya; DJ 6514 and ICSV 197, which are highly resistant to sorghum midge in India, showed a susceptible reaction at Alupe, Kenya. Sorghum midge damage in general was greater in Kenya than that observed in India at the same level of midge density suggesting that the breakdown of resistance in Kenya is due to factors other than insect density. Glume length, glume breadth, and glume area were positively associated with susceptibility to sorghum midge at both locations. However, under natural infestation, the correlation coefficients were stronger in India than in Kenya. Grain mass at 3 and 6 days after anthesis was positively associated with susceptibility to midge in India, but did not show any association with midge damage in Kenya. Grain growth rate between 3 and 6 days after anthesis was more strongly correlated with susceptibility to midge in Kenya than in India. Variation in the reaction of sorghum genotypes across locations may be partly due to the influence of environment on association between glume and grain characteristics with susceptibility to sorghum midge, in addition to the possible differences in midge populations in different geographical regions

Field screening finger millet germplasm for drought tolerance

Drought stress is the most important abiotic constraint limiting finger millet production. Limited research on tolerance to drought in finger millet has been done in Africa. As a result, the only varieties adapted to high-rainfall regions have been developed and promoted. Twenty-four potential drought-tolerant varieties selected from regional trials, and a short-duration commercial check (U15), were screened for drought in three locations in Kenya (KALRO-Kiboko, KALRO-Kampiya Mawe (KYM)) and Tanzania (DRD-Miwaleni). Genotype was significant for all the traits, location for all except yield, and GxL interaction for all except plant height. Sixteen of the varieties outperformed the commercial check (1.10 tha-1), with the best yielders being IE2187 (2.02 tha-1), IEFV0009 (1.50 tha-1), IE501 (1.1.48tha-1), IE593 (1.45 tha-1) and IE2030 (1.43 tha-1). All varieties except one had shorter DAP than the commercial variety. GGE biplot for yield showed Kiboko and Miwaleni locations to be effective in discriminating genotypes. Genotypes IE501, IE593, were specifically adapted to the Kiboko environment while IE546, KNE 741 and IE5791 were more adapted to the Miwaleni environment. Genotypes IE3104, IE5736, IE5733, IE6475 and IEFV0009 were stable across locations. Principal component analysis revealed the first four PC accounted for 85.72% of the variation with plant height, agronomic score, biomass, number of lodged plants, and number of productive tillers contributing the most. Five of the varieties -- IE2187, IEFV0009, IE501, IE593 and IE2030 -- have been advanced to PVS in Kenya and Tanzania, while KNE 741 is at NPT in Kenya

The effectiveness and complementarity of field days and small seed packs (SSPs) in delivering Dryland Cereal technologies: A survey of field day participants and agro-vets in Singida and Iramba districts of central Tanzania, Working Paper Series No. 61

This paper is about the result of a survey done in the 2014-2015 cropping season of field day participants and agro-vets who were facilitated to market SSPs and SFPs in Singida and Iramba districts of Tanzania. The objective of the survey was to determine whether there was any correlation between awareness creation and preferences reported during field days and the demand for technological inputs from the agro-vets. The results showed a strong complementarity between the dissemination of information on improved technologies during field days and the retailing of SSPs and SFPs in agro-vets. The field days help in creating awareness about the benefits and attributes of available improved sorghum and finger millet varieties and associated agronomic recommendations; while retailing of the SSPs and SFPs by the agro-vets not only helps promote the demand for improved technological inputs but also enhances their accessibility as SSPs and SFPs are more affordable to resource poor farmers. Therefore, having field days for awareness creation without improving accessibility of technological inputs through sale of SSPs and SFPs or vice versa is futile and does not lead to enhanced experimentation and adoption of improved technologies by target farmers..