Abstract
The efficiency of two selection indices; base index and the multiplicative index was compared to determine the effectiveness of each in identifying superior genotypes in cassava (Manihot esculent Crantz) population. Genotypic data on various yield and quality traits among 570 cassava genotypes were used to construct these selection indices. The efficiency of these indices was compared by determining the performance means of each genotype for studied traits and computing selection differentials of each index. Best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) for dry matter content and harvest index were also used for comparison of the two selection indices. The base index produced high-performance means of all five studied traits and proved to be more efficient compared to the multiplicative index in the improvement of cassava genotypes. In addition, the base index produced high selection differentials for three out of five studied traits. It was concluded that the base index is useful in cassava germplasm selection
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a key staple food crop in Uganda, ranking second to bananas in terms of area occupied, total production and per capita consumption [1, 2, and 3]
Data were collected on disease severity and incidence of Cassava Mosaic Virus Disease (CMD) at three, six, and nine months after planting (MAP), Harvest Index (HI) and Dry Matter content (DMC)
Datasets generated for CMD, root, DMC, HI were used to compare the two selection indices
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a key staple food crop in Uganda, ranking second to bananas in terms of area occupied, total production and per capita consumption [1, 2, and 3]. Cassava is responsible for increased food security in most parts of Uganda. The crop is used on its own or as an additive to either millet or sorghum flour to make local bread. This is typical in the millet-cotton farming areas covering west Nile, north, east and north-eastern parts of Uganda. In the banana-coffee farming areas covering south and south-western parts of Uganda, cassava is mainly cultivated for fresh storage root consumption [5]. Due to the increasing demand for cassava as a basic food and source of income for smallholder farmers, as well as its future potential as an industrial crop, research interventions involving farmers are urgently needed to improve cassava production and productivity
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