Improved cassava for Inland valley agro-ecosystems

摘要: A substantial impact om African agriculture can be made through research on crop improvement for the extensive inland valley agro-ecosystems (IVS) extending from the humid forest to the savanna zones in sub-Saharan Africa. Systematic surveys of farmers have shown that cassava is a favoured upland crop for the IVS. Screening of cassava for IVS adaptation in the sub Saharan Africa is a continued activity at lITA. Preliminary results indicate that elite clones TMS 85/00025 (159/ha), TMS63397 (13.3 t/ha) and TMS 84/00003 (12.6 t/ha) superceded the yield levels of local checks during a 6-month growing period. A scheme for the improvement of cassava targeted for IVS is described. In addition, for cassava and other upland crops to be suitable crop components in this highly fragile agro-ecosystem, attention has to be given to a combination of improved genotypes with appropriate water control, weed control and …