Development of high yielding sunflower varieties with desirable market attributes, and appropriate crop management options 29 th August 2012 Annual Review Presenter: Moses Biruma

Project staff 4 Scientists Anyanga Walter Breeder Pius Elobu Agronomists Gayi Denis Entomologist Moses Biruma Pathologist/Molecular Biologists 2 Technicians James Oumo & Betty Alepo 1 Secretary and 4 Field Assistants Numerous other support staff

OBJECTIVES/TARGETS Develop high yielding sunflower varieties (Hybrids & OPVs) resistant/tolerant to drought and major diseases with high oil content Develop appropriate agronomic practices for production of sunflower Develop integrated diseases management options for control of major diseases Disseminate appropriate sunflower technologies to uptake pathways and end users

Achivements/progress

Development of high yielding sunflower varieties resistant/tolerant to drought and major diseases Evaluated & identified 2 candidate Hybrids from EASL for release later this year 60 Lines were evaluated on-station out of which 26, were identified as being superior The 26 lines are now being evaluated at 3 TVCs (Ngetta, Kumi & Kuju) 75 Crosses were made and are being evaluated

Development of high yielding sunflower varieties resistant/tolerant to drought and major diseases 43 restorer lines were developed from imported hybrids Acquired 7 inbred lines with high oleic from germany Acquired 5 inbred lines with resistance to scretonia from germany

Development of appropriate agronomic practices for production of sunflower Tested two foliar fertilizers (Megacol, Push & New Suryamin) Inter-cropping regimes on-station ie Sunflower vs pigeon peas, cowpeas, green grams, beans, groundnuts, soybeans and cotton were conducted Sunflower-bean intercrop in a ratio of 1:1 gives the best results

Development of integrated diseases management options for control of major diseases Surveys to identify distribution of major diseases, in different agro-ecologies were conducted 108 diseased sunflower samples/materials collected for identification and characterisation

26 advanced lines were identified being resistant to majar diseases onstation & were recomended for multilocational trials Two parental lines (CMS 372 and CMS 433) & their maintainers (HA 372 and HA 433) were identified with moderate resistance to leafspot

Dissemination of appropriate sunflower technologies to uptake pathways Multiplied and distributed 1200Kg & 200Kg of Sesun2H & Sesen1H, respectively to; Seed companies (Pearl, EASL), Farmer Grps (P’KWII, UOSPA & Amuria Farmers grp Mukwano grp of Companies Sunflower production manuals to be launched

Dissemination of appropriate sunflower technologies to uptake pathways Capacity building: Farmer trainning &Student mentoring Publication ( Anyanga & Biruma) Posters

Constraints/challenges Transport Infrastructure; Greenhouses, Laboratory space & equipments are insuffient High labour costs Delayed relaese of funds Insuffience funds Storage facilities

Constraints/challenges Bereaucracies involved in procurement Access to new germplasm sources Weather uncertainities; Drought, High Rainfall Emerging pests and diseases Rapid loss of viability in storage Bird damage Irregular power

Strategies to overcome the challenges Alternative sources of funding Networking Capacity building Lobbying Generate own germplasma

Research activities in progress/Planned activities

Development of high yielding sunflower varieties resistant/tolerant to drought and major diseases Multi-location adaptation trials at 3 sites Multiplication of parental lines for hybrid sunflower seed Maintenance breeding On-farm evaluation of atleast 15 lines

Development of high yielding sunflower varieties resistant/tolerant to drought and major diseases Widen germplasm base through collection (local and introductions) Continue with hybridization Oil content analysis Evaluation of the new introductions

Develop appropriate agronomic practices for production of sunflower Evaluation inter-cropping trial on-station and at various locations including farmers’ fields Determining the effects of sunflower on soil nutrient status Testing the effect of foliar and seed dressed fertilizers on sunflower yields

Integrated diseases management options for control of major diseases Screening for resistance (Advanced and introductions) Characterisation (physical & molecular) of the different pathogens Evaluate efficacy of different fungicides & botanicals Evaluate cropping systems in disease management

Acknowledgement Uganda Government MAAIF Word bank, VoDP Seed Companies Extension (NAADS & District production dept) Individual farmers and Farmer groups Universities & other service providers Our families (Wives/Husbands & Childrens)