Crossability and germinability potentials of some cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) progenitors for selection
Controlled crosses and selection of promising cassava genotypes were carried out at National Root Crops Research Institute in Umudike
Abstract
Controlled crosses and selection of promising cassava genotypes were carried out at Cassava Breeding Programme of National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Nigeria, in 2010. A 3 x 3 North Carolina mating design was used to generate nine F1 population. Out of 7,044 seeds expected from all the pollinated flowers, only 1,102 seeds (15.6%) were harvested. Majority of the pollinated flowers did not develop into fruits due to abortion that happened shortly after pollination. Family TMS 98-0002 x TMS 05-0473 (B3) had the highest seed abortion rate of 75.5% whereas family TMS 98-0505 x TMS 01-1368 (B7) had the lowest seed abortion rate of 25.3%. Seeds generated from viability test were sown in pots and maintained for 28 days in the screen house. Seed germination ranged from 15.5 to 80.9% with a mean of 43.19%. The emerged seedlings were hardened and transplanted to the field alongside their parents. 464 progeny survived and were evaluated 12 months after planting (MAP). There were very high levels of variability in the segregating F1 progeny for all the traits studied that will be useful for cassava breeding in Nigeria. Subsequent evaluations of promising clones have reached advanced stage for release to farmers in Nigeria.
This work is part of the “Next Generation Cassava Breeding Project” which is supported by the UK Department for International Development, in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Citation
Ndubuisi, N. D., Nathaniel, I. U., Favour, E., Chiedozie, E. (2015). Crossability and germinability potentials of some cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) progenitors for selection. Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science, 7(3), 61-66.