Abstract

Manihot esculenta spp flabellifolia is a potential progenitor for cassava root protein content and yield improvement. Storage roots of cassava landraces are low in protein content due to the fact that past breeding objectives concentrated mainly on yield and resistance to diseases. The improvement of cassava through its wild progenitor is of importance for the full utilization of the potential of the wild progenitor. An interspecific F₁ was crossed to a cultivated variety (MTAI - 8) to generate a backcross population. Root protein, yield and other quality traits were evaluated. High root protein content of 9.61%; fresh root yield of 60.00 ton ha^-1; dry root yield of 34.75 ton ha^-1; and dry matter content of 59.45% was found in this population. High broad-sense heritability was obtained for all the traits evaluated which is a good indicator that genetic improvement can be achieved in this population. This first backcross population had protein values higher than the earlier documented values in the landraces.

Key word: Cassava, Manihot esculenta ssp flabellifolia, interspecific, protein and yield.