Crop scientists at Uganda’s National Crop Resources Research Institute (NACRRI) in Namulonge have released sweet potato varieties that are resistant to diseases and weevils, both of which take a heavy toll on yields. Kawogo, Naspot 1, Naspot 90 and Kakamega were developed using conventional methods, tissue culture, biotechnology and computerised marker-assisted selection.
“We are crossing indigenous species as well as species from the Agricultural Potato Centre in Peru to get resistance”, said agronomist Charles Niringiye. The annual output of sweet potato in Uganda is 2.6 million MT, making it the country’s third most popular food crop after bananas and cassavas.
Source: Spore No 154. See also: spore.cta.int
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