May 2022

Commercialization of genetically modified crops in Africa: Opportunities and challenges

Genetically modified (GM) crops offer potential for enhancing agricultural productivity for smallholder farmers in Africa. After nearly three decades of research and development collaboration and regulatory capacity strengthening, several countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are moving towards commercializing GM crops for the benefit of smallholder farmers. South Africa approved genetically modified (GM) cotton, maize...

Author(s): Endale Gebre Kedisso, Karim Maredia, Joseph Guenthner and Muffy Koch

May 2022

Preliminary verification of the adoption status of some yam (Dioscorea rotundata and Dioscorea alata) varieties in Nigeria using microsatellites markers

The persistent low yield and farmers’ preference of their traditional yam varieties over the improved varieties necessitated this study to verify the adoption status of the released varieties in Nigeria. A total of 48 accessions of white yam (Dioscorea rotundata) were sampled from six states of Ebonyi, Enugu, Benue, Kogi, Nassarawa and Oyo within Nigeria yam-belt and were genotyped for relatedness to four released...

Author(s): Nwogha J. S., J. E. Obidiegwu, R. N Okereke, R. Bhattacharjee and H. O. Oselebe

May 2022

Efficient callus-mediated system for commercial production of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) planting material in Ghana

An efficient callus-mediated regeneration system was developed for high-frequency production of planting material of sugarcane genotypes LSC and B36464. Spindle leaf segments cultured on MS basal medium supplemented with 2,4-D or picloram at 1, 2, 3 or 4 mg/L resulted in callus induction. Callus induction was higher on 2,4-D amended medium compared to picloram. Nevertheless, for both auxins, callus induction improved...

Author(s): Azu Elaine, Elegba Wilfred, Asare Abigail Tweneboah, Asare Kwame, Akama Christian, Asare Patience, Annor Clement, Azure Samuel and Danso Kenneth