CSIR-CROPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE ANNUAL REPORT: 2011 1 Compiled by I.S. Baning, L.G.S. Nsafoah and R. Adu-Donyina Editorial Team I.S. Baning and J.N.L. Lamptey 2 TABLE OF CONTENT Executive Summary List of Acronyms i List of Tables ii List of Plates iii List of Figures iv RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Cassava Improvement - 1 Yam Improvement - 5 Cocoyam Improvement - 6 Sweetpotato - 8 Horticulture - 12 Vegetable Improvement - 16 Groundnut Improvement - 24 Maize Improvement - 29 Rice Programme - 34 Crop Management - 38 Socio-economics - 46 Entomology - 48 Nematology - 55 Plant Pathology - 57 Biotechnology - 62 Post Harvest - 63 TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER - 66 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT - 70 COMMERCIALIZATION - 87 FINANCIAL REPORT - 88 STAFF PUBLICATIONS - 89 SENIOR STAFF LIST - 95 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report covers research, technology transfer and administrative activities carried out in 2011. Research activities covered the following commodities and programmes: Cassava Fifty (50) acres of multiplication fields were established for the four improved varieties released in 2009 and outdoored in 2010. Seventy five (75) acres of demonstration fields were also established in six regions of the country to enable farmers to observe improved production practices for subsequent adoption. A hundred and fifty (150) lines of cassava including eighteen released varieties were established in an effort to characterize and catalogue cassava varieties in Ghana for crop improvement activities. A hybridization programme to improve farmer preferred landraces for food and other uses, progressed satisfactorily. Yam Stable and high yielding Dioscorea alata genotypes with high tolerance to anthracnose disease were identified. These would be further evaluated for possible release in the near future. Twenty-thousand (20,000) seed yams were generated in collaboration with farmers using the minisett technology. This was done to help farmers, to use the technology to produce their own planting materials. The vine multiplication technique was demonstrated as a feasible and reliable means of generating yam planting materials. Cocoyam Using farmer participatory approach, four (4) cocoyam clones were selected out of over 100 accessions and proposed for release, after a series of evaluation trials. Proximate and organoleptic tests were conducted on the four materials to gather data to support their release. Eighty-five (85) local accessions and fifty (50) exotic materials of taro were assembled and planted for evaluation. Sweetpotato Some local and exotic germplasm were collected and established to broaden the genetic base of the crop for population development with emphasis on the orange-fleshed types. Some crosses were also made and over 6000 seeds were collected. Farmer participatory variety trials were established on- station to select at least two acceptable and adaptable genotypes for eventual release. Horticulture Work began on the promotion of Integrated Management technologies for increased productivity of small scale plantain farmers in two districts in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions. Two leafy vegetables – Vegetable jute and Rosette - were assessed for their responses to fertilizer application. 4 Vegetables Five mini tomato lines were advanced through two generations as part of the efforts to improve the materials in response to an emerging market for the commodity. Similar improvement activities were carried out on some okra and garden egg lines to meet a growing market demand. A field day was organized with farmers, processors and traders in pepper to help select pepper lines that meet stakeholders’ needs. A team of scientists from the Institute assisted some pepper farmers in the Kwahu East district to overcome some field problems they encountered. Surveys were conducted on some tomato farmers’ fields to collect data that would be used to develop comprehensive integrated pest management packages for tomato production in Ghana. Legumes Some groundnut lines (Confectionery lines, High oil content lines, Rosette-resistant lines and Aflatoxin resistant lines) with desirable traits were evaluated at different locations as part of the improvement process. Proximate and mineral composition analyses were carried out on fifteen groundnut lines including four that had been proposed for release. Two metric tonnes of groundnut breeder seed were produced. Maize Seeds were increased for some drought-tolerant and early-maturing lines to provide enough seeds for trials on the materials. Some hybrid lines were evaluated multi-locationally to assess their performance. Station variety trials were conducted at different locations to compare the performance of some materials including materials from WIENCO and Pioneer Hibred Company. Breeder seed was produced for some released materials and parental lines. Rice Some lowland rice varieties were evaluated for tolerance to lodging, flooding and iron toxicity in the Northern, Ashanti and Volta regions. Under the Rice Sector Support Project, training sessions, in community seed production, were organized for farmers and extension workers in three districts of the Volta region. Under the stress Tolerant Rice for Africa and Asia project, farmers were assisted to select materials of their choice out of some stress-tolerant materials evaluated in their community in a participatory programme. Crop Management The effect of staking options, fertilizer application and ridging on yam production was studied. There were indications that yam production could be sustained with minimum staking, though varietal selection would be needed to identify suitable varieties. 5 Diagnostic surveys were carried out to collect baseline information in Ghana and Benin under the Crop- Small Ruminant Project being conducted in Ghana, Benin, the Gambia and Mali. Seeds of four dual purpose varieties of groundnut and cowpea were multiplied for project activities. The effects of different tillage practices and leaf harvesting on the growth and yield of cocoyam were also studied. Three communities in the Jomoro district were selected for socio-economic studies, vegetation and soil analysis to develop climate change predictions for sub-Sahara Africa – a project being carried out in eight sub-Sahara Africa countries and nine European countries. Socio-economics Sensitivity Analysis has been used to estimate the potential returns in adopting some CSIR-CRI improved crop varieties. Studies were also conducted in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Eastern regions to determine the factors that influence the adoption of improved crop varieties. Plant Health Activities reported include: Studies on the effect of land preparation, cultivar and botanical treatment on the damage of sweetpotato by the sweetpotato weevil Effect of intercropping on the population dynamics and activities of insect pests of cassava and plantain Survey to document the incidence and severity of insect pests of root and tuber crops Integrated strategies to manage millipede infestation of cassava and other root and tuber crops in the Western Region Managing plant parasitic nematodes, in yam production, with botanicals Developing of strategies to manage the rice yellow mottle virus in the Ashanti region. Biotechnology A collection of 329 cassava samples were used for diversity studies using simple sequence repeat markers. Post harvest Studies were conducted in the Kintampo South district to identify major postharvest constraints encountered by yam farmers. This has led to the design of a ‘model’ yam barn, using local materials. The ban is being evaluated. A number of food products were developed from yam as a means to reduce post harvest losses. 6 Technology Transfer Groundnut shellers fabricated to assist farmers in postharvest handling of groundnuts were distributed to some farmers at Ejura, Atebubu and other places in the Eastern region. Field days were organized with yam farmers at Ejura to showcase improved production technologies including fertilizer application, staking and seed bed preparations. Activities were undertaken to promote the adoption and utilization of orange-fleshed sweetpotato for improved nutrition and income generation. 7 List of Acronyms ADRA - Adventist Relief Agency AGRA - Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa ARI - Animal Research Institute AusAID - Australian Agency for International Development CARGS - Competitive Agricultural Research Grant Scheme CARBAP - Centre Africain de Recherche sur Bananiens et Plantain CIDA - Canadian International Development Agency CIDA/FABS - CIDA/Food and Agricultural Budgetary Support CIAT - International Centre for Tropical Agriculture CIP - International Potato Centre CIRAD - International Center for Agricultural Research and Development CRI - Crops Research Institute CRSP - Collaborative Research Support Programme CSIR - Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSIRO - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation DFID - Department for International Development DTMA - Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa FAO - Food and Agricultural Organization FBOs - Farmer Based Organisations FRI - Food Research Institite GIZ - German International Cooperation GoG - Government of Ghana ICRISAT - International Crops Research Institute for the Semid Arid Tropics IFAD - Internationa Food and Agricultural Development IITA - International Institute for Tropical Agriculture INGER - International Network for Genetic Evaluation of Rice in Africa KNUST - Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology MoFA - Ministry of Food and Agriculture MoH