Abstract
Cassava viral diseases particularly cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD) have put pressure on cassava breeders to develop varieties that are resistant/tolerant to them. Several cassava varieties have been rolled out to farmers with the latest being NAROCASS series that are tolerant to these diseases. The yield performance of these new varieties have not been documented in some sub zones like Adjumani district that falls within a major West Nile agro-ecology of Uganda. Therefore this study sought to established yield performances of, reactions to major diseases, and farmers’ preference to these newly released cassava varieties in Adjumani. Results showed significant (P ≤ 0.05) differences among cassava varieties and experimental sites for all the parameters evaluated. Average yield performance by varieties were in the order of a local cassava—Alifasia (8.7 t/Ha) lowest, NAROCASS 2 (18.55 t/Ha), NASE 14 (33.97 t/Ha), NASE 19 (41.26 t/Ha), and NAROCASS 1 (41.71 t/Ha) highest. CMD foliar symptom was present at all sites on a local cassava—Alifasia, and on NAROCASS 1 in Ayiri parish, Ukusijoni sub-county. CBSD foliar symptoms were observed on off-types (TME 14) in the plot of NASE 14 in Miniki Parish only whereas CBSD root necrosis was observed at all sites on the local cassava—Alifasia, and on NASE 19 in Maaji parish, Ukusijoni sub-county. Cassava root rot disease was localised in Ukusijoni sub-county only. Farmers’ preferences to these newly released cassava varieties were in the order of NASE 19 (40.96%), NAROCASS 1 (24.86%), NAROCASS 2 (15.82.28%), NASE 14 (15.54%), and a Local cassava—Alifasia (2.83%). Result from this study strengthens the information gap in the breeding process towards developing a cassava variety with farmer-preferred attributes, and can also inform the utilisation of these improved cassava varieties in Adjumani district.
Highlights
Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Cranz) is an important root crop for food security and income generation in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) whose potential suits the poor and marginalised farming communities (Dixon et al, 2003)
The breeders’ seeds of these three newly released cassava varieties were acquired from the National Root and Tuber Crop Programme based at the National Crops Resources Research Institute (NaCRRI), NASE 14 was sourced from Abi ZARDI and the Local cassava (Alifasia) was sourced from within Adjumani district
The highest number of fresh roots per plants was recorded in Kiraba, Ajugopi, and Miniki parishes in 2018/19 season; highest weight of root per plant was recorded in Ayiri parish in 2018/19 season while the lowest was recorded in Zoka parish for the same season; and the highest fresh root yields was recorded in Ayiri parish while the lowest was recorded in Zoka parish all for 2018/19 season (Table 1)
Summary
Cassava (Manihot esculenta, Cranz) is an important root crop for food security and income generation in Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) whose potential suits the poor and marginalised farming communities (Dixon et al, 2003). In Uganda and in West Nile region cassava crop production faces a number of challenges ranging from pests and diseases (Alicai et al, 2007; Abaca et al, 2014), subsistence farming with both landraces and improved varieties under production with varying levels of cyanide content (Oloya et al, 2017), postharvest physiological deterioration (Beeching et al, 1998; Tumuhimbise et al, 2015), and unreliable marketing strategies (Roothaert & Magado, 2011) amongst others Of all these challenges in cassava production and marketing, cassava viral diseases, cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD) have been recognised as the greatest challenge (Kizito et al, 2005; Alicai et al, 2007). These viral diseases has encouraged a continuous cassava breeding efforts in Uganda (Kawuki et al, 2016) with several varieties being released such as the NASE (Namulonge Selection) series to the current NAROCASS (NARO Cassava) series
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