Breeding for Increased Vitamin A Content in Cassava

Breeding for Increased Vitamin A Content in Cassava: Progress and Perspectives Egesi C. N. , D. Njoku, O. A. Olojede and P. Kulakow National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike

Introduction q Cassava is the engine Nigeria needs to drive its Agricultural Transformation. q In 2011, 3 pro-vitamin A cassava varieties were released – UMUCASS 36, 38 and 39. q In 2014, we released another set of 3 pro-vitamin A cassava varieties – UMUCASS 44, 45 and 46. q Currently, over 600, 000 Nigerian households received planting materials of varieties of vitamin A cassava. q These varieties provide 20 – 50% of RDA for vitamin A with 10 ppm. q Target is to hit the 15 ppm beta carotene in cassava roots before 2018.

Cassava Bread Cassava bread will require more nutritious varieties Commercial bread 10 -20% and pastries 40% Pro-vitamin A cassava varieties will contribute to meeting this need.

Launching of Pro-vitamin A Cassava Varieties in 2012

Dissemination of Pro-vitamin A cassava in Abia State

Flag-off of dissemination in Abia State

Flag-off of dissemination in Abia State

Dissemination though Adopted Village and School Outreach (Youth Programmes)

Pro-vitamin A cassava varieties disseminated to Farmers by NRCRI Adopted Villages Unit – Women Groups

Community Outreaches

HARVESTPLUS CROP IMPROVEMENT

Total Carotene Content of Pro-vitamin A cassava varieties in 8 locations in Nigeria Variety Umudike Ibadan Ogoja Nsukka Zaria Mokwa Otobi Mean SE TCC (µg/g) FW NR 07/220 10. 5 8. 8 8. 7 8. 3 9. 6 10. 8 8. 2 9. 3 1. 3 TMS 07/0539 10. 9 9. 8 9. 6 10. 1 8. 0 10. 2 8. 3 9. 6 1. 4 TMS 07/0593 9. 3 10. 4 8. 5 9. 8 8. 8 11. 4 8. 0 9. 5 1. 3 TMS 30572 1. 2 1 0. 9 0. 8 0. 9 Mean 7. 6 7. 7 6. 5 7. 0 6. 4 8. 5 6. 0 SE 1. 5 1. 4 1. 3 1. 6 1. 2 1. 7 1. 3

Dry matter and starch contents and gari yield of pro-vitamin A cassava varieties in 3 locations in Nigeria Variety Ibadan Mokwa Umudike Dry matter (%) NR 07/0220 31. 3 36. 1 30. 6 TMS 07/0539 31. 4 31. 1 33. 3 TMS 07/0593 35. 1 28. 6 40. 2 TMS 30572 34. 4 36. 5 35. 5 Umudike Starch (%) Gari yield (%) 21. 2 22. 3 23. 1 21. 8 21. 5 25. 7 21. 0 25. 9

NR 07/0220

Nationally Coordinated Research Project on Cassava (NCRP) 2014 -2016 S/No Genotype Root Colour 1 NR 1 S 1/131 Yellow 2 NR 1 S 1/205 Yellow 3 NR 1 S 1/059 Yellow 4 NR 1 S 1/200 Yellow 5 NR 1 S 1/096 Yellow 6 NR 07/240 Yellow 7 IITA-TMS-IBA 070557 Yellow 8 IITA-TMS-IBA 083739 Yellow 9 IITA-TMS-IBA 070708 Yellow 10 IITA-TMS-IBA 083724 Yellow 11 IITA-TMS-IBA 090091 Yellow 12 TMS 01/1368 (Check) Yellow 13 TMS 30572 (Check) White 14 Local Best (Check) White 10 LOCATIONS § § § § § Umudike Otobi Nsukka Uyo Iresi Mokwa Zaria Ikenne Ubiaja Kubwa

Perspectives q More emphasis on breeding for increased vitamin A retention and bioavailabilty. q Smarter and more robust phenotyping or evaluation tools. Eg. Field determination of beta carotene for rapid screening. q Continued improvement of agronomic performance and potentials through increased genetic gains for yield, resistance to diseases and response to crop management. q Ensure that a significant proportion (<50%) of the cassava commercially produced in Nigeria is biofortified by 2018.

Summary q Biofortification of cassava has been mainstreamed at NRCRI and IITA. q Six varieties of pro-vitamin A cassava developed, released and being disseminated to 3 million Nigerians by end of 2015. q 11 newly selected pro-vitamin A cassava varieties in multi-site trials in 10 locations in Nigeria in 2014 – 2016. q On-farm trials with 11 pro-vitamin A cassava varieties in 15 states of Nigeria in 2015 – 2016. q About 40, 000 seedlings of pro-vitamin A cassava in cultivation at NRCRI in 2015 season. q Target of 15 ppm beta carotene in cassava roots is on course.

Thank You!