Browsing by Author "Osiru, D.S.O."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Genetic diversity among farmer-preferred cassava landraces in Uganda
    (African Crop Science Journal, 2012) Turyagyenda, L.F.; Kizito, E.B.; Baguma, Y.; Wanjala, B.W.; Osiru, D.S.O.
    Understanding of genetic diversity among a breeding population is an important requirement for crop improvement as it allows for the selection of diverse parental combinations and formation of heterotic pools for genetic gain. This study was carried out to determine genetic diversity within and among 51 farmer-preferred cassava (Manihot esculenta) landraces and 15 elite accessions grown in Uganda. Twenty six simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers used for genetic diversity assessment in this study revealed a total of 154 alleles, of which 24% were unique alleles present only in landraces. The genetic diversity and observed herozygosity in landraces were slightly higher than in elite accessions. Elite accessions clustered with some of the landraces indicating that there were some alleles in common. However, 58.8% of the landraces fell into 3 different clusters independent of the elite accessions. Including these landraces with unique alleles in cassava breeding schemes will increase the chances of producing farmer preferred adapted elite cultivars. The study also revealed genetic differentiation among accessions from different regions providing an opportunity for establishment of heterotic pools within a breeding programme.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Participatory selection and development of drought tolerant cassava varieties for farmers in marginal areas
    (RUFORUM., 2010) Osiru, D.S.O.; Balyejusa-Kizito, E.; Bisikwa, J.; Baguma, Y.; Turyagyenda, L.
    Most breeding experiments suffer from the disadvantage that the major stakeholders are not involved in the selection and development of the varieties. This scenario leads to poor adoption and diffusion of the resulting technologies. Participatory plant breeding reduces the chances of developing varieties which, for reasons unknown or overlooked by the breeder, are not acceptable to farmers. Farmers’ participation in research and decision making in variety selection enhances adoption. Through participatory variety selection (PVS), farmers also gain skills, information and knowledge about improved varieties. Most previous research in cassava have not involved farmers in the development of the technologies. This research will involve farmers in the participatory selection of farmer preferred cultivars for breeding to improve their Water Use Efficiency (WUE) in drought prone environments of Uganda.