Browsing by Author "Ali Hamad Ali"

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    PERFORMING EVALUATION OF PROMISING CASSAVA GENOTYPES AT KIZIMBANI ZANZIBAR
    (Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute, 2023) Salma Omar Mohammed; Ali Hamad Ali; Mushi.E; H.S. Juma
    Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a staple crop grown in over 90 countries, supporting the livelihoods of half a billion people in the developing world, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is vital both as a food security and for industrial processing due to its adaptability to diverse environments and tolerance to drought and acidic soils. This study addresses the need for developing high-yielding, Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD)-resistant varieties to improve food security and economic stability in Zanzibar.The specific objectives include screening cassava genotypes for CBSD resistance and conducting participatory evaluations with farmers to understand their preferences for various cassava traits. The research was conducted at the Zanzibar Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), Kizimbani, with trials planted during the long rains (Masika season) in April 2022 and repeated in April 2023. The study employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with two replications, each assigned 10 treatments of cassava varieties. Data collection included plant establishment, disease and pest tolerance, root yield. Key findings indicate that extended rainfall contributed to the good growth performance of the evaluated cassava genotypes. Mahonda and KBH2016B/521 exhibited the highest root yields, with 33.83 t/ha and 23.03 t/ha, respectively, while the local variety (Mtotoshoo) had the lowest yield (16.92 t/ha). The introduction of new CBSD-tolerant varieties significantly improved the cassava-growing system in Zanzibar. Disease incidence and severity were notably low across most genotypes, except for Mtotoshoo, which showed high CBSD incidence and severity. All evaluated genotypes demonstrated high harvest indices, indicating efficient conversion of photosynthates into economically valuable products.Farmers' participatory evaluations revealed a strong preference for genotypes KBH2016B/316, MAHONDA, KBH2016B/3038, and KBH2016B/521 due to their high yield, disease tolerance, high dry matter content, and root shape suitable for selling.