Abstract

Cassava is a food security crop in Kenya, whose production is hampered by cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) and cassava mosaic disease (CMD). These challenges require urgent resistance breeding. Crossing of varieties in cassava is disadvantaged by poor and asynchronous flowering. This study aimed to induce and enhance flowering in CBSD immune and resistant clones with variable flowering characteristics. Two experiments were established at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, Thika. The First experiment evaluated the effects of plant growth regulators and pruning on flowering, laid in a randomized complete block. The Second experiment evaluated the effects of night breaks on flowering, set in RCBD with twelve replicates. In the first experiment, treatment resulted in significant (p < 0.001) increased number of female flowers, fruits and seeds. However, the treatment did not reduce the number of days to flowering and height to first branching.  In the second experiment, treatment resulted in significant (p < 0.001) increased number of female flowers and fruits, reduced days to flowering, height to first branching, and number of nodes to first branching. Approaches tested here can be readily deployed in enhancing flowering and accelerating cassava breeding thus contributing to improved food security.

Key words: Plant growth regulators, pruning, night breaks, flowering, cassava.