iral diseases are an important biotic constraint to cowpea production in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of resistant varieties is the most effective approach in managing viral diseases. In order to identify sources of resistance, thirty two cowpea genotypes were evaluated in field trials at coastal savannah, Sudan savannah and semi-deciduous forest agro-ecological zones of Ghana during 2015 major cropping season. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Viral disease severity was assessed at 8 weeks after planting (WAP) based on 1-5 visual scale (1= no symptom, 5= very severe symptom). All the cowpea genotypes at the various locations showed symptoms of viral diseases but at varying degrees. However, the levels of incidence and severity were generally low and varied significantly (P<0.05) with locations, with forest zone having the highest incidence of 30.79%, and severity score of 1.354 whilst Sudan savanna zone had the lowest incidence of 5.62% and severity score of 1.036. Genotypes Apagbaala, UCC-366, UCC-473, UCC-484, UCC-489, UCC-490, UCC-497, UCC-514 and UCC-523 showed field resistance (mild symptoms) at all three agro-ecological zones. Genotype x location (GXL) interaction effects on mean incidence and severity were however, not significant (P>0.05). Results also showed significant differences among genotypes, locations and GXL interaction effects on plant height, canopy diameter, 100-seed weight and seed yields (P<0.05). Overall mean seed yield at UCC (5.25 t ha-1) was significantly higher than Bunso (1.186 t ha-1) and Bawku (1,188 t ha-1). Therefore genotypes that was resistant to viral infection and also gave high seed yields should be further evaluated and released as a variety for the locations where they performed better.
Item
Title
iral diseases are an important biotic constraint to cowpea production in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of resistant varieties is the most effective approach in managing viral diseases. In order to identify sources of resistance, thirty two cowpea genotypes were evaluated in field trials at coastal savannah, Sudan savannah and semi-deciduous forest agro-ecological zones of Ghana during 2015 major cropping season. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Viral disease severity was assessed at 8 weeks after planting (WAP) based on 1-5 visual scale (1= no symptom, 5= very severe symptom). All the cowpea genotypes at the various locations showed symptoms of viral diseases but at varying degrees. However, the levels of incidence and severity were generally low and varied significantly (P<0.05) with locations, with forest zone having the highest incidence of 30.79%, and severity score of 1.354 whilst Sudan savanna zone had the lowest incidence of 5.62% and severity score of 1.036. Genotypes Apagbaala, UCC-366, UCC-473, UCC-484, UCC-489, UCC-490, UCC-497, UCC-514 and UCC-523 showed field resistance (mild symptoms) at all three agro-ecological zones. Genotype x location (GXL) interaction effects on mean incidence and severity were however, not significant (P>0.05). Results also showed significant differences among genotypes, locations and GXL interaction effects on plant height, canopy diameter, 100-seed weight and seed yields (P<0.05). Overall mean seed yield at UCC (5.25 t ha-1) was significantly higher than Bunso (1.186 t ha-1) and Bawku (1,188 t ha-1). Therefore genotypes that was resistant to viral infection and also gave high seed yields should be further evaluated and released as a variety for the locations where they performed better.
Date
2017
Language
English
Abstract
Germplasm collection and ethnobotanical documentation are necessary for effective conservation and management of plant genetic resources. Taro (Colocasia esculenta L. Schott) is one of the staple root and tuber crops in Ghana. The study reports the germplasm and ethnobotanical information of taro collected from 19 districts in the Ashanti, Eastern and Western regions of Ghana. A germplasm collection expedition was undertaken in 58 towns in the districts. Fifty donors were interviewed on the ethnobotany of taro, using a questionnaire based on International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) descriptors for taro. Sixty taro accessions were collected from fields (34), home gardens (23), roadside stalls (2) and the wild (1). Respondents comprised of 27 males and 23 females. (62%). According to respondents of the survey, taro is used for food (100%), animal feed (44%) and folk medicine (4%). The corms (100%) and leaves (64%) are the parts of the plant used. The crop is grown mainly on a small scale for subsistent use by 70 percent of the respondents. Taro leaf blight (TLB) and lack of planting materials were the main constraints to large scale production. Respondents perceived the outbreak of TLB was due to the use of agrochemicals in farming practices in recent times (80%), irradiation (26%) and mythical reasons (10%). There is the need to educate taro growers on the causes and management of taro leaf blight.
Collection
Citation
“iral diseases are an important biotic constraint to cowpea production in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of resistant varieties is the most effective approach in managing viral diseases. In order to identify sources of resistance, thirty two cowpea genotypes were evaluated in field trials at coastal savannah, Sudan savannah and semi-deciduous forest agro-ecological zones of Ghana during 2015 major cropping season. The experiments were laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Viral disease severity was assessed at 8 weeks after planting (WAP) based on 1-5 visual scale (1= no symptom, 5= very severe symptom). All the cowpea genotypes at the various locations showed symptoms of viral diseases but at varying degrees. However, the levels of incidence and severity were generally low and varied significantly (P<0.05) with locations, with forest zone having the highest incidence of 30.79%, and severity score of 1.354 whilst Sudan savanna zone had the lowest incidence of 5.62% and severity score of 1.036. Genotypes Apagbaala, UCC-366, UCC-473, UCC-484, UCC-489, UCC-490, UCC-497, UCC-514 and UCC-523 showed field resistance (mild symptoms) at all three agro-ecological zones. Genotype x location (GXL) interaction effects on mean incidence and severity were however, not significant (P>0.05). Results also showed significant differences among genotypes, locations and GXL interaction effects on plant height, canopy diameter, 100-seed weight and seed yields (P<0.05). Overall mean seed yield at UCC (5.25 t ha-1) was significantly higher than Bunso (1.186 t ha-1) and Bawku (1,188 t ha-1). Therefore genotypes that was resistant to viral infection and also gave high seed yields should be further evaluated and released as a variety for the locations where they performed better.,” CSIRSpace, accessed December 25, 2024, http://cspace.csirgh.com/items/show/481.