Final version of Tropical Legumes II Project Report for Phase 1 - icrisat

A total of 40 new three-way crosses involving farmer-preferred varieties and sources of resistance to
early leaf spot (ICG 7878) and rosette (ICIAR 19 BT) were made and the F1 grown.
Breeding and associated phenotype activities
Strengthening breeding and phenotyping infrastructure
Hybridization and phenotyping facilities for drought, foliar diseases and groundnut rosette diseases
were assessed for adequacy/improvements as well as staff to manage these facilities in Mali, Niger
and Nigeria. Overall, these facilities were either lacking or in disuse. In Mali the phenotyping facilities
needed are for drought and foliar disease screening, in Niger mainly drought and in Nigeria, phenotyping
facility for groundnut rosette disease and raising the aphid vector needed rehabilitation.
Mali: A half-hectare plot at Same research station of IER was fenced to protect the nurseries from animal
damage.
Niger: The focus was on the rehabilitation of the irrigation system at Maradi, to enable phenotyping for
drought stress, generation advance and assurance of production of breeder seed. This involved purchase
of 2 immersble water pumps and regeneration of wells to ensure constant water availability and an 18
KVA generator to ensure electric power supply. The pathology screen house was also rehabilitated to
ensure phenotyping for diseases and maintaining inoculums for target diseases and insect pests. Other
infrastructure improvements included: renovation of the seed store, purchase of laboratory equipment
such as electronic balances, refrigerator, plastic sheeting, groundnut sheller, a motorcycle, a digital
camera and office furniture.
Nigeria: The renovation of a screen house for phenotyping purposes was completed. The genotyping
facility was enhanced by the purchase of an Alpha merger mini analysis system, digital thermal printer,
alpha InfoTech computer and Thermal paper high gloss.
At the beginning of the project no hybridization activity was conducted at any of the participating NARS.
After the training of technicians in managing crossing blocks, and the rehabilitated facilities, hybridization
has been initiated at INRAN and IAR
Upgrade skills and capacity of NARS
Degree related training
Ms. Nana Mariama Idi Garba of INRAN, Niger, completed her MSc program in breeding at the University
of Niamey in 2010. Mr. Mamary Traore, IER-Mali, initially registered at the University of Bamako, had
registered at the University of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, as a result of indefinite strike by professors
at the University of Bamako. This resulted in delayed completion as planned. He is currently finalizing
his field work and is expected to graduate by the end of 2011.
In addition to graduate students, three undergraduate students conducted their final year bachelor’s
degree thesis in groundnut breeding. These included Mr. Prosper Gassinta and Mr. Harara of the
Polytechnic of Katibougou, Mali) and Mr. Youssouf Camara from the University of Niamey, Niger.
Non-degree training
At the start of the project, ICRISAT-Mali conducted 2-day in-country training workshops in Mali, Niger
and Nigeria in methods, and data capture. A total of 15 (5 in Mali, 2 Niger and 8 in Nigeria) benefitted
from the training. A methods manual was prepared. A training module on crop management and seed
production was also produced. This was shared with the project staff in partner countries.
Progress of Phase 1
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