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Cowpea is deemed as a food security crop due to its ability to produce significant yields under conditions where other staples fail. Its resilience in harsh environments; such as drought, heat and marginal soils; along with its nitrogen-fixing capabilities and suitability as livestock feed make cowpea a preferred choice in many farming systems across sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Despite its importance, Cowpea yields in farmers’ fields remain suboptimal, primarily due to biotic and abiotic factors and the use of either unimproved varieties or improved varieties that are not well-suited to local conditions. Multi environment testing of genotypes is essential for recommending varieties suited for either specific or for wide cultivation. This study aimed, to identify and recommend cowpea breeding lines for wide or specific cultivation in the Sudan Savanna and Deciduous Forest zones of Ghana. The research utilized twenty early-maturing advance cowpea breeding lines and three check varieties (released varieties). The experiment was conducted in two locations: Bunso in the Deciduous Forest zone and Manga in the Sudan Savanna zone over 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 cropping seasons. Combined analysis of variance revealed a significant genotype-environment interaction (GEI) which accounted for 35.12% of the variation in yield. The environments were classified into three mega environments, with Bunso_2021 identified as the near-ideal environment where the genotypes exhibited their maximum genetic potentials. In terms of adaption, genotype UG_04 demonstrated broad adaption, showing high yield and stability across all test environments. Genotypes UG_01 and UG_02 performed particularly well in Bunso_2021 and Bunso_2022, while UG_04 and UG_14 excelled in Manga_2021. These findings provide valuable insights for selecting cowpea varieties that can enhance productivity and stability in diverse agro-ecological zones.

Malnutrition, as a result of deficiency in essential nutrients in cereal food products and consumption of a poorly balanced diet, is a major challenge facing millions of people in developing countries. However, developing maize inbred lines that are high yielding with enhanced nutritional traits for hybrid development remains a challenge. This study evaluated 40 inbred lines: 26 quality protein maize (QPM) lines, nine non-QPM lines, and five checks (three QPM lines and two non-QPM lines) in four optimum environments in Zimbabwe and South Africa. The objective of the study was to identify good-quality QPM inbred lines for future hybrid breeding efforts in order to increase the nutritional value of maize. The QPM lines had a lower protein content (7% lower) than that of the non-QPM lines but had 1.9 times more tryptophan and double the quality index. The lysine- and tryptophan-poor α-zein protein fraction was 41% lower in QPM than in non-QPM, with a subsequent increase in γ-zein. There was significant variation within the QPM inbred lines for all measured quality characteristics, indicating that the best lines can be selected from this material without a yield penalty. QPM lines that had both high protein and tryptophan levels, which can be used as parents for highly nutritious hybrids, were identified.

Diversity analysis using molecular markers serves as a powerful tool in unravelling the intricacies of inclusivity within various populations and is an initial step in the assessment of populations and the development of inbred lines for host plant resistance in maize. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity and population structure of 242 newly developed S 3 inbred lines using 3,305 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and to also assess the level of homozygosity achieved in each of the inbred lines. A total of 1,184 SNP markers were found highly informative, with a mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.23. Gene diversity was high among the inbred lines, ranging from 0.04 to 0.50, with an average of 0.27. The residual heterozygosity of the 242 S 3 inbred lines averaged 8.8%, indicating moderately low heterozygosity levels among the inbred lines. Eighty-four percent of the 58,322 pairwise kinship coefficients among the inbred lines were near zero (0.00–0.05), with only 0.3% of them above 0.50. These results revealed that many of the inbred lines were distantly related, but none were redundant, suggesting each inbred line had a unique genetic makeup with great potential to provide novel alleles for maize improvement. The admixture-based structure analysis, principal coordinate analysis, and neighbour-joining clustering were concordant in dividing the 242 inbred lines into three subgroups based on the pedigree and selection history of the inbred lines. These findings could guide the effective use of the newly developed inbred lines and their evaluation in quantitative genetics and molecular studies to identify candidate lines for breeding locally adapted fall armyworm tolerant varieties in Ghana and other countries in West and Central Africa.

Knowledge of the genetic mechanisms conditioning drought tolerance in maize is crucial to the success of hybrid breeding programs aimed at developing high-yielding cultivars under drought. The objectives of this study were to determine the combining ability of extra-early inbreds, compute the heritability of measured traits, assess the performance of inbreds in hybrid combinations and investigate the associations among traits under drought and optimal conditions. A total of 252 hybrids generated by crossing 63 inbreds to four testers, along with four commercial hybrid checks, were evaluated for 2 years under drought and rainfed conditions. General combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) for the traits were significant. A total of 57.1% and 53.4% of the genotypic sum of squares were attributable to GCA effects for grain yield under managed drought and rainfed conditions, respectively. Hybrids TZdEEI 91 × TZEEI 21 and TZdEEI 55 × TZEEI 13 out-yielded the best checks under drought and optimal conditions by 49.13% and 39.05%, respectively. The most promising hybrids with consistently high grain yield under drought and rainfed conditions, were TZdEEI 54 × TZEEI 13, TZdEEI 91 × TZEEI 21 and TZdEEI 55 × TZEEI 21 and should be further evaluated for possible commercial production in sub-Saharan Africa.

Maize (Zea mays L.) is the main staple cereal food crop cultivated in southern Africa. Interactions between grain yield and biochemical traits can be useful to plant breeders in making informed decisions on the traits to be considered in breeding programs for high grain yield and enhanced quality. The objectives of this study were to estimate the heritability of grain yield and its related traits, as well as quality traits, and determine the association between quality protein maize (QPM) with non-QPM crosses. Grain yield, and agronomic and quality trait data were obtained from 13 field trials in two countries, for two consecutive seasons. Significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations were recorded for grain yield with protein content (rG = 0.38; rP = 0.25), and tryptophan with oil content (rG = 0.58; rP = 0.25), and negative rG and rP correlations were found for protein with tryptophan content and grain yield with tryptophan content. Path analysis identified ear aspect, ears per plant, and starch as the major traits contributing to grain yield. It is recommended that ear aspect should be considered a key secondary trait in breeding for QPM hybrids. The negative association between grain yield and tryptophan, and between protein and tryptophan, will make it difficult to develop hybrids with high grain yield and high tryptophan content. Hence, it is recommended that gene pyramiding should be considered for these traits.

Pepper (Capsicum annuum) is an essential spicy crop in sub-Saharan African, however, limited genetic improvement initiatives have been undertaken to enhance its productivity. This study characterized the genetic diversity and population structure of 40 C. annuum accessions using 24 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Profiling C. annuum accessions with 24 SSR markers revealed a total of 39 alleles, with an overall mean of 1.63 alleles per locus. The polymorphic information content and observed heterozygosity of the markers ranged from 0.00 to 0.40 and 0.00 to 0.10, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method grouped the accessions into six clusters, with no clear pattern of distribution based on their collection locations. Genetic differentiation among sub-populations was high (FST = 0.34-0.71), with a mean FST of 0.57 and average expected heterozygosity of 0.06. Population structure analysis, using an admixture model at a 60% membership threshold, assigned 29 accessions to a single genetic cluster, indicating widespread similarity among the samples. The narrow genetic base observed likely reflects the repeated cultivation of locally adapted or recycled germplasm by farmers. These findings emphasize the need to broaden the genetic base of C. annuum through the introduction of diverse germplasm and structured breeding efforts.

IntroductionBiofortified maize varieties could contribute to the fight against hunger and malnutrition of the increasing human population and help meet the high demand of maize for human consumption, industrial use and feed for animal and poultry. The understanding of the genetic mechanisms conditioning the inheritance of grain yield and other agronomic and quality traits is essential in the development of superior maize genotypes. The main objective of this study was to determine the combining ability for grain yield and other agronomic traits of QPM and non-QPM inbred lines crossed with two QPM and two non-QPM testers.Materials and methodsA total of 130 hybrids were obtained by crossing 10 non-QPM and 23 QPM lines with four elite testers (two QPM and two non-QPM). The 130 single cross hybrids were evaluated at 13 sites in 2018 and 2019.Results and discussionThe results showed significant general combining ability (GCA) for lines and testers as well as significant specific combining ability (SCA) for hybrids for most of the measured traits. Non-additive gene action controlled the inheritance of grain yield while agronomic and quality traits were controlled by additive gene action. QPM lines 11, 14 and 28 and non-QPM tester CML444 showed desirable GCA effects for grain yield, indicating that these lines in combination with tester CML444 should be considered when targeting development of superior maize genotypes with QPM traits.ConclusionsBased on the SCA values, crosses 120, 108, 105, 99, 85, and 41 were identified as the best hybrids across the locations. It is recommended that maize breeding programs targeting the development of high yielding QPM hybrids should exploit QPM lines with high GCA values for heterosis to be realized. In addition, the identified superior hybrids may be further evaluated and consequently promoted for commercial release which could increase incomes of farmers and help to alleviate poverty, hunger and malnutrition in southern Africa and sub-Saharan Africa at large.

The present study addresses Ghana’s heavy dependence on rice imports, which currently make up over 40% of the nation’s domestic consumption with declining soil fertility. The use of organic and chemical fertilizers to improve soil fertility has had an unintended consequence like the production of methane (CH 4 ) gas. This study investigates the potential of biochar, a promising solution for reducing emissions and enhancing crop yields when combined with silicon (Si). This research assessed the effect of these soil amendments on rice yield and methane emissions within degraded rice fields. The main treatments were recommended fertilizer dose (RDF), a biochar compost (BIOCOM) application, and a combination of 50% RDF with 50% BIOCOM. Within these treatments, Si was introduced at varying levels: 0, 100, and 200 kg Si ha −1 . The results indicate that the application of RDF resulted in significant improvements in rice growth, Si uptake, phosphorus (P) uptake, and ultimately, grain yield. RDF produced remarkable yield increments, surpassing BIOCOM by 59.7% in 2020 and 56.6% in 2021. Additionally, the introduction of 100 kg Si ha −1 led to an average 15.6% increase in grain yield across both growing seasons and displayed a positive correlation with P uptake. BIOCOM and its blend with NPK improved residual P and K contents. BIOCOM reduced CH 4 emissions by 46% in 2020 and 44% in 2021 when compared to RDF. This study does not only hold valuable implications for sustainable agricultural practices but also make a substantial contribution to addressing key concerns, including food security, soil fertility preservation, and the reduction of CH 4 gas emissions in rice production.

Maize plays a crucial role in combating food insecurity in Ghana due to its high yield potential and wide adaptability. Thirty five intermediate maturing maize hybrids were evaluated at eight locations in Ghana for two years (i) to determine grain yield performance, stability and adatability, (ii) to determine the representativeness and discriminating ability of the test locations and (iii) identify core testing sites for selection of superior maize hybrids. Genotype, environment and genotype × environment interactions were significant (p < 0.01) for grain yield and most other traits measured. Grain yield of the hybrids ranged from 3.3 to 4.7 t ha −1  for in the present study. The GGE biplot analysis identified genotype M1326-17 as the most stable and high yielding hybrid followed by M1326-14 and M1326-4. Test locations were divided into three groups; Ejura and Damongo constituting the first group; Kpeve, Fumesua, Nyankpala, Pokuasi and Yendi the second and Wa standing alone as the third. Damongo was highly discriminating and representative in the first group and was identified as a core test site in that group. Fumesua and Nyankpala were identified as core test sites within group two while Wa was identified as the only test site in group three. The core testing sites identified would be used to facilitate the identification of superior maize hybrids to reduce testing cost in the country.

Identification of superior genotypes from variability generated via hybridization and understanding the nature of the gene action controlling grain yield and related traits are crucial for cowpea varietal improvement. A field experiment was conducted at the Savannah Agricultural Research Institute, Tamale-Ghana in the 2016 cropping season to examine the combining ability, genotypic and phenotypic correlations for grain yield and other agronomic characters in 25 cowpea genotypes (5 parents and 20 hybrids derived from a diallel cross of the parents). The result indicated that the general combining ability and specific combining ability varied for all characters measured signifying the prominence of both additive and non-additive genetic components in the present study. Non-additive gene action was important for grain yield, canopy width at maturity, plant height (PLHTF), number of seeds per pod, pod weight and days to 50% flowering (DFF). On the other hand, additive gene action was important for days to maturity (DM) and pod length. Parents PADI-TUYA and IT86D-610 were observed to be good general combiners for grain yield and other traits while IT86D-610 × PADI-TUYA, SONGOTRA × PADI-TUYA and IT86D-610 × SARC 57-2 were identified as promising specific combiners for grain yield and related traits. Selection criteria to improve the grain yield of cowpea should focus on plants with long peduncles, high canopy width and many pods per plant as these traits have high genetic correlation with grain yield.