BecA Hub in action Project Title:
Arresting the scourge of Striga on sorghum in Africa by combining the strengths of marker- assisted selection and farmer participatory approaches
| Donor: | BMZ (Germany) |
|---|---|
| Partner/Institution: | Multiple partners in 4 countries: Kenya: ( KARI); Eritrea: (NARI); Mali: (IER), University of Bamako (UB); Sudan (ARTC) |
| Project Highlight: | The overall aim of the project is to increase household food security in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L)Moench] growing areas of Eritrea, Kenya, Mali and Sudan that are highly infested with the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica (Del) Benth. NARS in the four countries are being assisted to strengthen Striga resistance of farmer- preferred sorghum varieties (FPSVs), through a combination of marker- assisted backcrossing (MAB) and farmer- participatory selection. The stability of inheritance of the transferred Striga resistance alleles in the FPSVs, the actual outcrossing rates in selected FPSVs and the pollen flow of these FPSVs will be analyzed in order to develop recommendation for variety maintenace and on-farm seed production. To complement the molecular work, a socio- economic and population genetics study of the sorghum seed supply systems in the four target countries is being undertaken concurrently to guide the design of effective seed interventions by partner institutions so that improved materials efficiently reach farmers. Linkages will be developed with both public and private sectors to enhance technology exchange and promote the use of the improved FPSVs as a component of integrated Striga control. Sustainable technology transfer is being enhanced through strengthening of the laboratory facilities of two partners for marker analyses, involving African MSc/PhD students, and by intensive training of NARS scientists an students in the techniques used. |
| Total Project Budget $US: | 820,000.00 |
| Scientist Involved: | Dan Kiambi |
| Scientist Email: | Email: d.kiambi@cgiar.org |
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