ICRISAT Archival Report 2006 - The seedlings of success in the ...

The relationship of IVD-OM with grain yield was weak (r= -0.44), with combination of higher yield and
digestibility being possible. Surprisingly, high stem digestibility was association with later flowering (r=0.78) (all
average to late heading (270-285 days) entries had IVD-OM >30%). This may be due in part to later flowering
being associated with lower harvest index (r=-0.74), and low harvest index being associated with higher
digestibility (r=-0.62).
The major conclusions that can be drawn from these results are 1) new dual-purpose sorghum varieties with
substantially superior stover quality and acceptable grain yield can be developed for West Africa, 2) the dwarf (short
stem internode) phenotype is associated with improved stover quality, although considerable variation for quality
exists within dwarf phenotypes and thus, 3) in vitro and/or in vivo assessment of stover quality of promising
varieties are necessary to develop superior dual-purpose types that maximize total productivity and value of the
crop/livestock systems.
HFW Rattunde, Eva Weltzien and D Bastinelli
Activity 3B2.4: Develop farmer preferred Striga resistant varieties of sorghum and options for integrated
Striga management.
Milestone: Transfer of Striga resistance QTL’s into at least on guinea race variety adapted to the Sudanian zone of
WCA (2009)
BC2F1 were developed at IER, and are presently being analysed for specific markers for positive selection for he
presence of he desired QTL’s as well as for background selection for the target genotype.
D Kiambi with IER, BeCA
Approach tested for adapting integrated Striga control options to specific cropping systems in collaboration
with farmers (2008)
A farmer field school methodology was adapted to work with pearl millet farmers on integrated Striga management
options in Sahelian cropping systems. The approach was tested in two clusters of 6 villages each. Results indicate
that the chosen combination of treatments resulted in a reduction of the amount of Striga seed in the soil.
T van Mourik and E Weltzien
Quantification of interaction between different Striga management options on Striga seed bank dynamics in
the soil (2008)
In both sorghum and pearl millet systems the factorial combinations of three control options, varietal resistance,
intercropping, and organic amendments were evaluated in on-station trials at Samanko and Sadore.
T van Mourik, E Weltzien and BIG Haussmann
Output target 3B3: New farmer-preferred pearl millet and sorghum cultivars with improved yields
The development of superior finished varieties is necessary in WCA, because many national programs have poorly
supported breeding programs. They are also necessary as a proof of concept in this region, where farmer managed
yield improvements have been rarely manifested for newly developed varieties of local dryland cereals. For pearl
millet our efforts at variety improvement have re-started this year in several target production systems across the
WCA region.
New guinea race sorghum varieties (tall and dwarf) are showing consistent yield improvements in farmer manage
trails, primarily in the Soudanian zone. We have initiated efforts to increasingly target the southern Sahelian zone, as
well as the northern Guinean zone.
An initial effort at mapping the adaptation of specific guinea race sorghum varieties, based on their photoperiod
response, and thus time of maturation, has resulted in products that give some broad indications, but lend themselves
to explaining issues of varietal adaptation to those involved in developing seed sector innovations, regionalizing
seed policies, and preparing for seed distribution or commercialization.
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