A review of wheat breeding in Kenya

Abstract

The origin of Kenya wheats is traced mainly from the introduction of Australian varieties at the beginning of the century. Continuity was lost at the time of the first World War and modern wheats derive from a number of parents of uncertain origin in which Egyptian, Italian and Canadian wheats also played a part. Breeding from 1930 to 1950 was largely based on crossings within this body of material, with relatively few additions from abroad, and led to a range of wheats which are now known internationally for their stem rust resistance.Changes of rust race in Kenya since then have found these wheats lacking in sufficient breadth of resistance and few survive in commerce at the present time except as minor varieties. In the meantime wide use is being made of varieties from abroad, whilst considerable expansion of breeding is being undertaken.The International and F.A.O. Nurseries particularly have yielded much new material for direct multiplication and for breeding purposes, both for stem rust and yellow rust resistance. At the same time special attention is being given to wheats with an inter-specific or inter-generic derivation. Reviews of results with Kenya wheats in other countries provide confirmatory evidence of the extent of their resistance, viewed internationally, and indicate the value of continuing the breeding on a genetically additive basis.A discussion on longer-term questions covers such subjects as the role of out-ofseason crops, the concept of composite varieties with inherent diversity of rust resistance and, finally, the need for maximum genetic breadth throughout all breeding for rust resistance. The hope for higher levels of rust resistance remains the long-term aim.

Wheat in Kenya: Past and Twenty-First Century Breeding

“…Dixon [6] traces the origin of bread wheat in Kenya initially to introductions of Australian germplasm at the beginning of the twentieth century followed by a gradual succession with a few Egyptian, Italian, and Canadian founder lines decades later. Moreover, development of breeding populations and variety release in 1930-1950 was largely based on crosses within that core diversity with relatively limited additions from contemporary international programs.…”

“…In Kenya, wheat was introduced in the early twentieth century, while wheat breeding research through introduction, hybridization, and selection has been underway in the country [6] for over a century. Past achievements have led to the development of cultivars highly adaptable to the Kenya highlands with most commercial production practiced at altitudes above 1500 m. Diseases, especially rusts, have reduced wheat productivity in Kenya ever since the crop was first grown commercially in 1906 [7][8][9][10][11].…”

Plant Variety Protection Regime in Relation to Relevant International Obligations: Implications for Smallholder Farmers in Kenya

“…Formal plant breeding in Kenya can be traced to as far back as the early twentieth century when Lord Delamere, a settler farmer, employed a wheat breeder to cross Australian and Italian varieties following devastation of his crop by yellow rust (Dixon, ). Government entry into plant breeding activities was through taking over Lord Delamere's breeding ventures and in 1927, the then Department of Agriculture established the Wheat Breeding Station (Pinto and Hurd, ).…”