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Four Seasons of Learning and Engaging Smallholder Farmers - icrisat

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Finally, the variety choices are converted into traits <strong>of</strong> preference (Table 3-7). Overall grain yield is<br />

regarded by farmers as a composite trait encompassing several traits <strong>of</strong> appeal to them. In addition to this<br />

<strong>and</strong> because <strong>of</strong> the fast growing groundnut confectionery market, uniformity <strong>of</strong> the grain for industrial uses<br />

as determined by pod filling <strong>and</strong> grain size <strong>and</strong> the attractiveness <strong>of</strong> the grain for market (marketability)<br />

forms a significantly important criteria for variety preference. Both pod filling, pod/grain size <strong>and</strong> market<br />

appeal was found in ICGV-SM 99557 which again ranked top. Considering variety marketability alone,<br />

ICGV-SM 99557, ICGV-SM 99555 ranked 1 st , followed by Pendo. In addition to guiding the breeder<br />

about trait preferences, this methodology was also <strong>of</strong> great assistance in the identification <strong>of</strong> the varieties<br />

that ended up being released in both Tanzania <strong>and</strong> Mozambique. Varieties for release were also identified<br />

in Malawi – which should be released before the end <strong>of</strong> year 4 <strong>of</strong> the project. Trait preferences were<br />

therefore summed up as high yields, early maturity in the predominantly short-duration environments,<br />

large seeds for the European export <strong>and</strong> confectionery markets, small-seeded for local use in Mozambique<br />

<strong>and</strong> industry use in South Africa (chocolate coated nuts), tan color for both Malawi <strong>and</strong> Mozambique <strong>and</strong><br />

both tan <strong>and</strong> red colored varieties for Tanzania. <strong>Farmers</strong> in all countries mentioned disease resistance but<br />

as long as the variety was high yielding – it was assumed disease is no longer an issue.<br />

Fast-track release <strong>of</strong> ‘on-the-shelf’ varieties<br />

PVS was used as a tool for fast-track release <strong>of</strong> elite improved varieties which were in the program but<br />

not yet released. This involved the evaluation <strong>of</strong> more than 148 groundnut mother trials (36 YR1, 60<br />

YR2, 28 YR3, <strong>and</strong> 24 YR4) <strong>and</strong> 440 baby trials (120 YR1, 174 YR2, 74 YR3 <strong>and</strong> 72 YR4) in Malawi, 60<br />

mother trials <strong>and</strong> 300 baby trials in Tanzania, <strong>and</strong> 48 mother trials <strong>and</strong> 162 baby trials in Mozambique.<br />

This evaluation resulted into the following successes in the three countries:<br />

Tanzania<br />

Five new varieties were released in 2009. ICGV-SM 99555 or Naliendele 2009 <strong>and</strong> ICGV-SM 99557<br />

or Mangaka 2009 early maturing (90-100 days) drought <strong>and</strong> rosette disease resistant (Spanish bunch);.<br />

CG 7 or Mnanje 2009, ICGV-SM 01721 or Masasi 2009 <strong>and</strong> ICGV-SM 01721 or Nachingea 2009<br />

medium maturity (100 – 110 days), high yielding (up to 2.5 MT per ha). Masasi 2009 is also resistant<br />

to rosette. All three <strong>of</strong> them are Virginia bunch types.<br />

Mozambique<br />

Six improved new varieties were released in June 2011. Five <strong>of</strong> them are Spanish <strong>and</strong> one Virginia.<br />

ICGV-SM 01513, ICGV-SM 01514 are early maturing with combined rosette <strong>and</strong> ELS resistance, ICGV-<br />

SM 99541, ICGV-SM 99568 are early maturing with rosette resistance <strong>and</strong> JL 24 is early maturing good<br />

taste. CG 7 is medium maturing Virginia type. All <strong>of</strong> them have the potential to double the yields <strong>of</strong><br />

the farmer’s local which is currently popular throughout the country providing just 700 – 800 kg per ha.<br />

Malawi<br />

Two new varieties ICGV-SM 96714 <strong>and</strong> ICGV-SM 99567 (Spanish) <strong>and</strong> two Virginia ICGV-SM 01708<br />

<strong>and</strong> ICGV-SM 01728 are under pre-release in Malawi <strong>and</strong> they have been identified on the basis <strong>of</strong><br />

farmer <strong>and</strong> market preferences. These will be presented to the technology clearing committee sometime<br />

this year for release<br />

New high yielding varieties developed<br />

ICRISAT maintains a regional groundnut improvement centre at Chitedze Research Station in Malawi<br />

from where NARS are supplied with their germplasm requirements. Over the past three years <strong>of</strong> Phase<br />

1, a total <strong>of</strong> more than 1600 new breeding lines have been availed to NARS in Tanzania, Malawi<br />

<strong>and</strong> Mozambique for evaluation against Groundnut Rosette Disease (GRD), Early Leaf Spots (ELS),<br />

rust, aflatoxin <strong>and</strong> drought to identify durable sources <strong>of</strong> resistance. The following sources have<br />

been identified <strong>and</strong> are currently in use for hybridization to develop mapping populations for QTL<br />

identification with support from TL I.<br />

42<br />

<strong>Engaging</strong> <strong>Smallholder</strong> <strong>Farmers</strong> | Tropical Legumes II Project

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