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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Introduction<br />
Groundnut productivity is limited by a number <strong>of</strong> abiotic and biotic stresses (such as drought, foliar<br />
diseases, rosette, and aflatoxin contamination) in the semi-arid zones <strong>of</strong> Wes Africa. The gap between<br />
potential and realized yield is large in subsistence farming. To improve productivity at the farm level<br />
and bridge the yield gap requires varieties that have farmer- and market-preferred traits, including<br />
those that enhance and stabilize productivity, increase pr<strong>of</strong>itability <strong>of</strong> the crop and thereby the income<br />
<strong>of</strong> smallholder groundnut farmers. This project builds on the achievements made by ICRISAT and<br />
partners in groundnut improvement in the last 30 years. Only one rain-fed crop season starting in June<br />
and ending in October is possible in the major groundnut areas in the three countries. The project’s<br />
variety development strategy takes advantage <strong>of</strong> existing improved germplasm in the short term,<br />
through participatory variety selection. At the same time, new segregating populations are developed<br />
and selected <strong>for</strong> tolerance/resistance to the biotic and abiotic constraints. This is complimented by<br />
a seed delivery strategy that will emphasize decentralized, pro-poor seed production and delivery<br />
systems.<br />
Targets<br />
The major targets are as follows:<br />
• 2-3 farmer- and market-preferred groundnut varieties identified <strong>for</strong> cultivation in focal regions in<br />
each partner country;<br />
• 2-3 varieties identified entered in <strong>for</strong>mal testing system in each country, if required by the national<br />
seed policy <strong>for</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficial release;<br />
• At least 5000 farmers made aware <strong>of</strong> the improved groundnut varieties in each country;<br />
• Nucleus and Breeder seed <strong>of</strong> farmer-preferred varieties as required produced each year to support<br />
Seed System activities (Objective 8) in focal regions in each partner country;<br />
• Each year 80-100 new breeding lines with farmer- and market-preferred traits made available by<br />
ICRISAT to NARS <strong>for</strong> local evaluation;<br />
• Breeding activities (and associated phenotyping facilities) initiated in at least one research station in<br />
the focal region in each country;<br />
• Two students trained at MSc level in conventional and modern breeding techniques and technicians<br />
trained hands-on in groundnut breeding and integrated crop management;<br />
• One efficient groundnut improvement program with appropriate phenotyping facilities (field and<br />
laboratory screening) <strong>for</strong> drought and foliar diseases established in each partner country; and<br />
• Farmer-friendly literature in vernacular languages (Bambara, Hausa) on improved varieties and<br />
integrated crop management technologies available.<br />
Methodology<br />
Participatory variety selection (PVS)<br />
PVS using the mother and baby trial approach has been used to increase farmers’ exposure to new<br />
groundnut varieties and assess farmers’ trait preferences <strong>for</strong> varieties. The demand <strong>for</strong> varieties<br />
by farmers and the processing industry is a result <strong>of</strong> plant, seed and other desirable traits that are<br />
embodied in the variety. Knowledge <strong>of</strong> the range <strong>of</strong> plant, seed and processing traits is valuable <strong>for</strong> crop<br />
improvement programs and good market signals <strong>for</strong> processors. The demand <strong>for</strong> improved groundnut<br />
varieties will increase if varieties are designed to include producer- and consumer-preferred traits.<br />
There<strong>for</strong>e, improving the per<strong>for</strong>mance <strong>of</strong> varieties accounting <strong>for</strong> all significant traits will contribute to<br />
the productivity and pr<strong>of</strong>itability <strong>of</strong> groundnut production in West Africa. The objective <strong>of</strong> this activity<br />
is there<strong>for</strong>e to identify farmers-preferred traits and varieties through PVS.<br />
Progress <strong>of</strong> <strong>Phase</strong> 1<br />
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