Abstract
Cassava is ideal for biofortification due to its popularity as a root staple among populations with high vitamin A malnutrition. The crop is vegetatively propagated and retains the enhanced trait across generations. The combining ability for beta-carotene content and important yield trait was evaluated in a cassava F1 generation. Ten high beta-carotene clones from International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) were hybridized with ten local clones in a North Carolina Design II mating design. The F1 population was evaluated at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). A total of 125 families were evaluated, including 35 reciprocal crosses. The IITA parents had highly significant (P ≤ 0.001) General Combining Ability (GCA) for pulp colour and plant height. The GCA of the local parents was significant (P≤ 0.05) for harvest index, number of lobes (P≤ 0.05) and for plant height (P≤ 0.001). The Specific Combining Ability (SCA) was significant for harvest index and plant height at P≤ 0.05 and P≤ 0.001 respectively. Root pulp colour was influenced by both additive and non-additive genetic effects. There were also maternal effects associated with the trait. Results indicated that local cassava varieties can be improved for beta-carotene content without a decline in agronomic performance.
Highlights
Cassava is an important source of calories with a daily contribution of more than 500 Kcal and 100 Kcal to about70 million and 500 million people respectively (Kawano, 2003)
Though cassava roots are rich in calories, they are highly deficient in proteins, fat, and important micronutrients like pro-vitamin A, iron and zinc (Montagnac et al, 2009)
Especially children, in cassava producing areas in SubSaharan Africa is deficient in vitamin A
Summary
Cassava is an important source of calories with a daily contribution of more than 500 Kcal and 100 Kcal to about70 million and 500 million people respectively (Kawano, 2003). Cassava is an important source of calories with a daily contribution of more than 500 Kcal and 100 Kcal to about. The crop is well adapted to various environments and it is generally grown under low input conditions. The crop can withstand biotic and abiotic stress and the roots can be left in the ground as a famine reserve. The nutritional quality of the cassava root is not sufficient to meet all dietary needs. Though cassava roots are rich in calories, they are highly deficient in proteins, fat, and important micronutrients like pro-vitamin A, iron and zinc (Montagnac et al, 2009). Populations dependent on the crop as their main staple are deficient of important micronutrients. Especially children, in cassava producing areas in SubSaharan Africa is deficient in vitamin A
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