Hybrid Rice Development in Ghana

START DATE:  June, 2014  ESTIMATED DURATION:  December, 2016

SPONSORS: WACCI, WAAPP 2A     

LOCATION: Nyankpala

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:  Samuel Oppong Abebrese

PARTICIPATING SCIENTISTS: Wilson Dogbe

COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS: WACCI, AfricaRice,

OBJECTIVES

·         Introduce high yielding hybrids for evaluation and release to farmers.

·         Identify maintainers and restorers from local germplasm that could be used for local hybrid development.

METHODOLOGY:

Evaluate introduced hybrids at multi-locations to identify hybrids with over 20% yield advantage over currently released inbreds. Screen local germplasm to identify potential restorers and maintainers. Carry out testcrosses to confirm maintainers and restorer for two introduced CMS lines.

ACTIVITY/PROGRESS MADE SINCE PREVIOUS REPORT:

 Seven (7) hybrids from private seed companies and 15 from AfricaRice are being evaluated at multi-locations (Nyankpala, Golinga and Navrongo). Data is being taken on yield, yield components and their reaction to local biotic stresses. One maintainer and 10 potential restorers were identified from  a testcross nursery comprising twenty-three (23) testcrosses carried out in 2014. The maintainer has been backrossed to its male parent to initiate its conversion into local CMS line. 

WAY FORWARD: Thirty testcrosses have been carried out in 2015. This will be evaluated in the dry season to identify more potential maintainers and restorers for local hybrid development.