Title:
SCREENING OF ADVANCED CIP POTATO CLONES FOR BIOTIC (PEST, DISEASE)
RESISTANCE, ABIOTIC STRESSES TOLERANCE, YIELD ADAPTABILITY &
STABILITY UNDER LOCAL ENVIRONMENT CONDITIONS IN & AROUND LWIRO
RESEARCH CENTER, IN SOUTH-KIVU PROVINCE, EASTERN DRCONGO |
Authors:
Théodore MUNYULI , Justin OMBENI, Bienfait BASHI MUSHAGALUSA
, Alphonse BISUSA
MUHIMUZI ,DR Congo
|
Abstract:
Understanding farmers’ needs and local genetic resources are crucial steps to improve and
conserve potato. Based on current farmers’ interests and demands, a study was conducted to
screen and select potato genotypes that are suitable to local environment in eastern DRCongo
from some clones that were sent from CIP-Nairobi in June 2016. The investigations were
conducted at the research station as well as in farmers’ fields in collaboration with small-scale
potato growers from nearby Lwiro research center during the cropping season A (long rain:
September-January) and the cropping season B (Short rainy season: February-May) from 2017 to
2021. Each cropping season, the trials were carried out in different fields chosen within Lwiro
Research Center following a rotation scale rate. Experimental materials comprised 10 clones
from CIP: CIP 39337158, CIP 394611.112 , CIP 398190.404, CIP 398192.41 , CIP 398190.735,
CIP 398208.505 , CIP 398202.704, CIP 694474.16 , CIP Shangi Mini tubercule ,CIP 392797.22.
These advanced materials were said of being abiotic-biotic and climate-smart tolerant clones. In
addition, two local varieties (Kinigi & Cruza) were associated to trials as control. The
experiments were conducted following randomized plot designs (on-station), or following simple
demonstration plot design with three clones only (on-farm participatory trials). Data collection
consisted of recording information about yield and yield components, occurrence and population
density of different pest species, incidence and severity of different potato diseases along the
production cycle. Results indicated that there was a seasonal and yearly variation in the yield on
the clones, during both on-farm and on-station trials. A cross-analysis of on-station and on-farm
field data from the seasons and years of field evaluations showed a certain consistency (P<0.05)
in the high yielding ability, tolerance to pests and diseases of three genotypes, namely CIPShangii, CIP 393371.58, CIP 392797.22 & CIP 398190.404. Although these 3 clones were
found to perform better (better yield, lower susceptibility to pests and diseases) across field site
environments, years and cropping seasons, the most promising clone was CIP Shangi Mini
tubercule (29.6 t/ha, research station, 19.81 t/ha on-farm) that produced the greatest yield across
years and seasons. The rest of clones showed high yield variability across seasons and years.
There was a lack of clone stability across season and years. At the on-farm trials, still Shangii
was the most preferred clone by farmers with the highest score for yield, resistance to
diseases and tolerance to insect damages...... |
