RA 00183.pdf - OAR@ICRISAT

Rosette-resistant lines identified in West African programs and in the Southern African
Development Coordination Conference (SADCC)/ICRISAT regional groundnut program in
Malawi have been assembled and evaluated in Niger. Only RG 1 did not develop rosette
symptoms. A hybridization program involving 55-437 and GH 119-20 that are susceptible to
rosette but well adapted to West Africa and resistant lines RG 1 and KH 149A as source of
resistance has been initiated at Lilongwe, Malawi.
After a survey of groundnut production practices, agronomic experiments in Niger examined
sowing dates, varieties, fertilization, and cropping systems. Results from studies indicate
that in a sole crop, it may be possible to select groundnut lines that will perform well as
an intercrop. We initiated studies to estimate the importance of weeds in groundnut in order to
define a strategy for their management. The nutritive value of groundnut haulms is being
studied in collaboration with ILCA.
We have assembled 1500 breeding and germplasm lines from ICRISAT, SADCC, and
West Africa and evaluated them in Niger, Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon, and Burkina Faso.
Future Plans
Our future research plans include refining screening techniques relating to tolerance for
intermittent, mid-season and end-of-season drought, high temperature in the drier areas as
well as for high humidity in the wetter areas.
Survey of groundnut diseases in different countries in the region will continue and we will
screen material for sources of resistance to foliar diseases.
Research on the management of A flavus contamination will continue and all existing A
flavus resistant cultivars will be evaluated in collaboration with the National Agricultural
Research Systems (NARS).
Lines derived from crosses made in Malawi involving rosette resistant lines will be evaluated
in West Africa for their adaptation. Screening for resistance to rosette will be carried out
in collaboration with the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Samaru.
We will continue to study the PCV/nematode syndrome in an effort to determine strategies
for the management of crop growth variability.
Long-term effect of nutrients and crop residues on soil physical and chemical properties
and groundnut yield will be continued. Research on components of cropping systems and
how these components interact in the use and cycling of resources will be undertaken.
In breeding for adaptation, selection of early-maturing (90 days) varieties that are tolerant
to drought will continue. Aflatoxin-tolerant material for drier areas and long-duration genotypes
for the wetter areas will also be emphasized.
Groundnut pest problems will be investigated with the appointment of an entomologist in
1992.
Conclusion
We will help to develop the Institut national de recherches agronomiques du Niger (INRAN)
Station at Tara, Niger, as a main location for ICRISAT groundnut breeding, pathology, and
agronomy research and we will further strengthen our linkages with NARS.
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