Improvement of Sorghum for Tolerance to Stress and Increased Production and Utilisation in Kenya

Abstract: 
Sorghum is an important food security crop in sub-Saharan Africa, including eastern Africa but grain yields are very low. This is due to the many stresses it goes through during production in addition to use of unimproved genotypes. The objective of this project was to select, develop and promote sorghum lines that can withstand both abiotic and biotic stresses prevalent in eastern Africa. Sorghum genotypes were collected, lines developed and tested against various stresses, and data collected and analysed. Many genotypes adapted to the various stresses have been developed. Some lines have been submitted for variety release process including Nyadundo 1 and Nyadundo 2, MCSRV E94, MCSR N4, which are drought tolerant, Striga tolerant and can withstand some of the diseases.
Le sorgho est une importante culture pour la sécurité alimentaire en Afrique sub-saharienne, y compris l’Afrique orientale, mais les rendements en grain sont très faibles. Ceci est dû aux nombreux stress qu’il traverse au cours de la production, et en plus à l’utilisation des génotypes non améliorés. L’objectif de ce projet était de sélectionner, développer et promouvoir les lignées du sorgho qui peuvent résister à la fois à des contraintes abiotiques et biotiques fréquentes en Afrique orientale. Les génotypes du sorgho ont été collectés, les lignes développées et testées contre les divers stress, et les données collectées et analysées. Beaucoup de génotypes adaptés aux différentes contraintes ont été développés. Certaines lignes ont été soumises pour le processus de lancement des variétés, y compris Nyadundo 1 et Nyadundo 2, MCSRV E94, MCSR N4, qui sont tolérantes à la sécheresse, tolérantes au Striga et peuvent résister à certaines maladies.
Language: 
English
Extended Abstract for Crop Improvement
Date of publication: 
2012
Country: 
Region Focus: 
East Africa
Collection: 
RUFORUM Conferences and Workshops
Licence conditions: 
Open Access
Form: 
Printed resource
Publisher: 
Notes: 

The 2012 RUFORUM Biennial Conference is the third in the series. The main objective of the Biennial conferences is to provide a platform for agricultural research for development stakeholders in Africa and beyond to actively exchange findings and experiences, while at the same time learning lessons towards improving performance of the agricultural sector and ultimately people’s livelihoods. The biennial conference is RUFORUM’s most comprehensive meeting for the diversity of stakeholers in agriculture. It is especially dedicated to graduate students and their supervisors, grantees in RUFORUM member universities and alumni. It is a platform for peer review, quality control, mentorship, networking and shared learning. The third Biennial Conference was attended by 657 participants.  This record contains an extended abstract accepted under the theme of Crop Improvement.