Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat
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<strong>Final</strong>ly, 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 />
and because <strong>of</strong> the fast growing groundnut confectionery market, uni<strong>for</strong>mity <strong>of</strong> the grain <strong>for</strong> industrial uses<br />
as determined by pod filling and grain size and the attractiveness <strong>of</strong> the grain <strong>for</strong> market (marketability)<br />
<strong>for</strong>ms a significantly important criteria <strong>for</strong> variety preference. Both pod filling, pod/grain size and 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 and Mozambique. Varieties <strong>for</strong> release were also identified<br />
in Malawi – which should be released be<strong>for</strong>e the end <strong>of</strong> year 4 <strong>of</strong> the project. Trait preferences were<br />
there<strong>for</strong>e summed up as high yields, early maturity in the predominantly short-duration environments,<br />
large seeds <strong>for</strong> the European export and confectionery markets, small-seeded <strong>for</strong> local use in Mozambique<br />
and industry use in South Africa (chocolate coated nuts), tan color <strong>for</strong> both Malawi and Mozambique and<br />
both tan and red colored varieties <strong>for</strong> Tanzania. Farmers 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 <strong>for</strong> 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, and 24 YR4) and 440 baby trials (120 YR1, 174 YR2, 74 YR3 and 72 YR4) in Malawi, 60<br />
mother trials and 300 baby trials in Tanzania, and 48 mother trials and 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 and ICGV-SM 99557<br />
or Mangaka 2009 early maturing (90-100 days) drought and rosette disease resistant (Spanish bunch);.<br />
CG 7 or Mnanje 2009, ICGV-SM 01721 or Masasi 2009 and 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 and one Virginia.<br />
ICGV-SM 01513, ICGV-SM 01514 are early maturing with combined rosette and ELS resistance, ICGV-<br />
SM 99541, ICGV-SM 99568 are early maturing with rosette resistance and 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 and ICGV-SM 99567 (Spanish) and two Virginia ICGV-SM 01708<br />
and ICGV-SM 01728 are under pre-release in Malawi and they have been identified on the basis <strong>of</strong><br />
farmer and market preferences. These will be presented to the technology clearing committee sometime<br />
this year <strong>for</strong> 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> <strong>Phase</strong><br />
1, a total <strong>of</strong> more than 1600 new breeding lines have been availed to NARS in Tanzania, Malawi<br />
and Mozambique <strong>for</strong> evaluation against Groundnut Rosette Disease (GRD), Early Leaf Spots (ELS),<br />
rust, aflatoxin and drought to identify durable sources <strong>of</strong> resistance. The following sources have<br />
been identified and are currently in use <strong>for</strong> hybridization to develop mapping populations <strong>for</strong> QTL<br />
identification with support from TL I.<br />
42<br />
Engaging Smallholder Farmers | <strong>Tropical</strong> <strong>Legumes</strong> <strong>II</strong> <strong>Project</strong>