CBN-V Video Archives - S6-26
A Paradigm for Characterisation and Conservation of Root and Tuber Crops Germplasm in Ghana Based on Cassava

Safo Kantanka O.¹, E. Y. Boampong², I.K. Asanta³ and S.K. Offei⁴

1. Crop Science Department, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana ustlib@libr.ug.edu.gh
2. Agricultural Research Station, Wenchi, Ghana
3. Botany Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
4. Crop Science Department, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana

        Germplasm collecting and conservation of root and tuber crops has long been neglected in Ghana and genetic erosion has been evident in some of these crops. For a number of years now, cassava breeding has been undertaken through the introduction of germplasm from international research centres, especially, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). Under the National Agricultural Research Project (NARP), initiated in 1996 germplasm collecting of root and tubers was initiated to fill this vacuum. A large number of accessions were collected and in some cases handling became difficult with consequent loss of germplasm. This paper reports on work that has been done on cassava germplasm collected from one region of Ghana and how it has been handled. The steps involved were morphological characterisation followed by cluster analysis. A representative sample was then taken for molecular characterisation also followed by cluster analysis. This has led to the selection of a representative core sample to be conserved both in-vitro and in-situ. Agronomic evaluation has also led to the selection of some promising genotypes for release. Under the Root and Tuber Improvement Programme (RTIP), this approach has been recommended for the remaining root and tuber crops.

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