The gene pools for breeding cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) in Africa currently contain only a fraction of the existing genetic variation found in Latin America where the crop originates. Our research aimed to broaden the genetic base in Africa by introducing Latin American (LA) germplasm. The first set of introductions comprised sexual seeds that led to the evaluation of 20,032 seedlings in Nigeria between 1990 and 1994. A second set comprised in vitro cultures, where the dominant CMD2 gene for cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistance was introgressed into LA germplasm through marker‐assisted selection (MAS). Through MAS 156 genotypes were preselected for the gene and evaluated in Nigeria between 2004 and 2006. Initial results from the first set of introductions indicated that LA germplasm was highly susceptible to CMD, minimizing its usefulness in African cassava‐breeding programs. In the second set of introductions from LA, introgression of the CMD2 gene resulted in high CMD resistance under African field conditions. Now at advanced stages in the African breeding program, 14 genotypes combining CMD resistance and high yield are being evaluated. Marker‐assisted introgression of CMD resistance into LA germplasm has improved the potential value of LA germplasm for Africa and enhanced the prospect of elite LA genotypes being released as improved varieties in Africa.

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Identification of drought-tolerant and -resistant varieties of cassava is of paramount importance for the maximization of productivity potential in drought-prone areas. Nine improved cassava varieties developed in humid and subhumid agro-ecologies were evaluated for their growth responses and adaptability in the dry savannas of Nigeria. Field trials were set up in two cropping seasons at three different locations. Parameters evaluated included fresh root yield (FRY), fresh shoot yield (FSY), cumulative leaves formed (CLF), cumulative leaf scars (CLS), root drymatter content (DMC), harvest index (HI), and root cyanogenic potential (CNp). Results demonstrated that varietal response differed with water table site, implying different adaptation responses of varieties to the water regime. Variations in all characters studied were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by genotype, suggesting a strong genetic basis for the phenotypic differences amongst varieties. Compared with variation attributable to location, the genotypic components were strong for FRY, FSY, CLF, CLS, HI and DMC. HI and DMC were not significantly affected by location. CNp tended to increase with increasing drought stress. The significance of genotype · environment effects for FRY suggested that genotypes may be selected for specific adaptation for drought-prone environments. The poor adaptability responses of the majority of the varieties implied that an agro-ecologically targeted breeding scheme for the dry savanna would be a more appropriate approach for the development of drought-tolerant varieties.

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