Biotech Updates

Nigeria Releases Improved Cassava Varieties to Boost Productivity

January 16, 2013

Two improved cassava varieties known as UMUCASS 42 and UMUCASS 43 (formerly IITA-TMS-I982132 and IITA-TMS-I011206) were released to Nigerian farmers. The varieties were developed through a collaborative effort between the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and the Nigerian Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike.

The varieties performed well in different regions of Nigeria with high yield of between 49 and 53 tons per hectare and high dry matter content. They also have good disease resistance to major pests and diseases that affect cassava in the country including cassava mosaic disease, cassava bacterial blight, cassava anthracnose, cassava mealybug, and cassava green mite, and contain moderate levels of pro-vitamin A.

Details of this news can be seen at http://www.iita.org/2013-press-releases/-/asset_publisher/CxA7/content/nigeria-releases-improved-cassava-varieties-to-boost-productivity?redirect=%2F2013-press-releases.