1. Stephen Amoah (PhD, MSc BSc)

2. Outline of Presentation Objectives of the Division Current projects within the Division Staff strength and constraints Soybean Genetic Improvement Programme Molecular characterization of cowpea accessions held at the national genebank

3. Objectives of Division To develop high and stable yielding early and medium maturing varieties of mandate crops that are resistant/tolerant to pests and diseases with consumer- acceptable characteristics To disseminate improved technologies to farmers and other stakeholders

4. Current Projects within the Division ProjectProject leaderSource of funds Improving Farmer-Preferred Cowpea Varieties Through Introgression Of Genes For Flower Thrips And Cercospora Leaf Spot Resistance. Dr. Hans Adu- Dapaah AGRA Improving Yield of Farmer-Preferred Groundnut Varieties Through Introgression of Genes For Rosette Resistance Dr. James AsibuoAGRA Farmer participatory evaluation, selection and promotion of multiple disease resistant soybean varieties in the Ashanti Region Dr. Stephen AmoahFABS Participatory Varietal Development Of High Yielding And Disease Resistant Cowpea In Brong-Ahafo Region Mr. Sylvester AddyFABS

5. ProjectProject leaderSource of funds Increasing farmers’ access to conserved diversity of cowpea, sorghum, pearl millet and yam in West Africa Dr. James Y. AsibuoGCDT Evaluation of Introduced Dry And French Bean Germplasm For Adaptation/Multiple Stress Resistance, Collection And Characterization Of Local Germplasm Dr. James AsibuoPABRA Sustainable Intensification of Integrated Crop- Small Ruminant Production Systems in West Africa ( SIIC-SR) Dr. Stella EnninAusAID- CORAF Current Projects within the Division

6. Staff strength GradeNumber of staff Male : Female ratio Scientists33:0 Technicians76:1 Field staff16 (Fumesua) 12 (Kwadaso) 15:1 11:1

7. Visibility activities Open Day The Division established a demonstration field for cowpea, soybean, groundnut and bambara groundnut Farmers’ Day Packages of seeds, information and plant specimen were made available to the Prin. Sci. Sec. (Mr. I.S. Baning) for exhibition and promotion of the institute and commodities of the Division at the 2011 Farmers’ Day Visit by Melinda Gates A demonstration field was established for the purpose of her visit Divisional logo and T-shirt Motto: We provide the nation’s vegetable protein

8. Section of staff at a Divisional meeting

9. Constraints Inadequate funds for research Weak staff strength Lack of equipment (weighing scales, moisture meter, thresher, dehumidifier for cold room etc.) Broken down field vehicle Lack of changing room

10. Soybean Genetic Improvement Stephen Amoah J.Y. Asibuo S.N.T.T. Addy Adelaide Agyemang N.Ewusi-Mensah H.K. Adu-Dapaah

11. Introduction Soybean contains 40% protein, 30% carbohydrates and 20% oil on dry matter basis, with well balanced essential amino acids. Soybean is used in the preparation/fortification of many traditional foods. These include: Soya milk, weaning foods, bread, kebab, cakes, banku, kenkey, stew, soups gari etc. Soybean is used to produced cholesterol-free vegetable oil Regular consumption of soybean can help reduce risks from heart diseases, cancer, osteoporosis and menopausal symptoms

12. Introduction Soybean fixes atmospheric nitrogen in the soil Growing soybean in rotation with cereals breaks the pests and diseases cycle for both crops Current production in Ghana is estimated to be 50,000MT whiles potential production is estimated to be 750,000MT Production constraints include inherently low yields, pests and diseases, erratic rainfall, drought

13. Objective To develop improved soybean varieties with resistance to pests and diseases and with consumer acceptable characteristics. To multiply seeds of released varieties for supply to Ghana Grains and Legumes Development Board, Seed companies and other interested entities. Specific objectives To evaluate introduced soybean germplasm within the soybean international observation trials - Early & Medium (SIOT-E & SIOT-M) for their adaptation to local environment, yield performance, reaction to diseases and, to select promising lines for further testing To evaluate advanced soybean breeding lines within the soybean station variety trials 1 & 2 (SSVT 1 & 2) and select high-yielding, diseases and pests resistant/tolerant lines for on-farm testing To produce breeder seed of released varieties for the seed industry, farmers and other stakeholders

14. Materials and methods Trials established No. of entries No. of reps. Expt. design SpacingLocationsSource of material SIT- Early maturing 203RCBD60cm x 5cmFumesuaIITA SIT- Medium maturing 213RCBD75cm x 5cmFumesuaIITA SSVT-1133RCBD60cm x 5cmFumesua, Pokuase IITA (reconstituted) SSVT-2133RCBD75cm x 5cmFumesua, Pokuase IITA (reconstituted) SIT= Soybean International Trial; SSVT= Soybean Station Variety Trial

15. Materials and methods Data recorded Plant stand at establishment Days to 50% flowering Reaction to diseases (Anthracnose, viruses, rust and brown spot) Plant height Lodging Nodule score Plant stand at harvest Seed yield Nitrogen fixation efficiency

16. Results

17. SIT-E Entries Days to 50% flowering Seedling vigour Days to maturity Plant height Plant stand at harvest Lodging Nodule score Seed yield (kg/ha) TGX 1989-19F TGX 1990-15F TGX 1988-5F TGX 1989-20F TGX 1989-21F TGX 1990-3F TGX 1990-5F TGX 1990-97F TGX 1988-3F TGX 1987-86F TGX 1990-2F TGX 1990-8F TGX 1989-4F TGX 1987-10F TGX 1987-11F TGX 1987-62F TGX 1740-2F TGX 1835-10E NANGBAAR TGX 1903-7F 44 40 41 42 44 42 41 42 45 47 42 39 42 45 42 47 39 42 44 2.7 2.6 2.9 2.8 3.7 2.7 1.3 2.9 1.5 2.6 2.4 3.3 2.8 3.5 4.2 2.4 3.8 3.1 2.7 4.3 108.0 109.3 99.0 108.3 99.3 102.0 102.7 106.3 101.0 102.7 101.3 96.7 102.0 96.0 96.7 99.7 95.7 89.0 109.3 110.0 45.1 52.5 50.7 47.6 79.6 58.0 64.6 53.2 70.2 55.9 57.3 55.2 53.2 71.3 60.2 66.1 65.3 57.5 52.5 47.4 95.0 92.0 118.3 86.3 92.0 116.3 58.0 110.7 47.7 105.7 108.0 127.3 105.7 119.0 143.7 86.3 150.0 122.3 130.0 174.3 1.4 1.3 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.6 1.7 1.6 1.5 2.2 1.8 1.9 1.8 1.7 2.4 2.3 2.9 2.7 2.6 2.3 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.7 3.3 2.8 2.6 2.9 2.3 2612 2646 2123 2466 2699 2238 1526 2613 1926 2154 1834 2054 2870 2453 2766 2900 2844 2102 3410 3421 MEAN C.V. % S. E. D. 42.5 1.80 0.6103 2.9 19.00 0.4527 101.8 1.90 1.588 58.2 11.0 5.209 109.4 20.80 18.60 1.6 16.90 0.2255 2.7 12.90 0.2822 2483 26.6 539.6

18. Results SIT-M Yield (kg/ha)

19. Results SSVT-1 Yield (kg/ha) Reaction to diseases

20. Results SSVT-2 Yield (kg/ha) Reaction to diseases

21. Breeder seed production VarietyQuantity produced Anidaso300kg Nangbaar200kg

22. Conclusion 20 early-maturing and 21 medium-maturing soybean lines received from IITA were evaluated at Fumesua 13 early-maturing and 13 medium-maturing lines were evaluated with two agro-ecologies in Ghana Preliminary results indicate that some of the introduced lines were higher yielding than comparable local checks Data on nitrogen fixation efficiency is yet to be analysed Further testing will be carried out and superior lines recommended for on-farm testing and release to farmers

23. Farmer participatory evaluation, selection and promotion of multiple disease resistant soybean varieties in the Ashanti Region S. Amoah J.Y Asibuo S. Addy H. Asumadu E. Moses H. Adu-Dapaah Funding: FABS

24. Objective To improve incomes and livelihoods of rural communities in four target districts in the Ashanti Region through increased production and utilization of soybean. Specific Objectives To evaluate and select multiple disease resistant/tolerant soybean varieties for cultivation in target districts To promote adoption and production of the varieties by farmers in target communities To train farmers, AEAs and other stakeholders on improved soybean production technologies

25. Methodology Four districts in the Ashanti Region were targeted for this study Each district was represented by two communities (except for Sekyere Afram Plains) One farmer per community was supervised by one AEA Target districtCommunities Ejura Sekyedumase Sekyere East Sekyere West Sekyere Afram Plains Hiawoanwu, Kobriti Seniegya, Naama Yonso, Adidwan Kumawu

26. Methodology Disease resistant/tolerant lines previously identified through IITA and NARS collaborative research and evaluated at CSIR- CRI were selected to constitute this trial There were five entries including two previously released varieties as local checks. These were: TGX 1909-3F TGX 1903-7F TGX 1835-10E Anidaso (local check) Nangbaar (local check) The trials were set out in randomized complete block design with three replications.

27. An AEA leads the way to one of the trial sites A farmer and his son with an AEA and crops officer admires one of the soybean entries (TGX 1909-3F)

28. Enroute to a trial site at Yonso A farmer cleans his soybean farm

29. Results Seed yield (kg/ha) Adidwan (Sekyere West District)

30. Results Seed yield (kg/ha) Hiawoanwu (Ejura Sekyedumasi)

31. Conclusion Five improved soybean genotypes were evaluated on farmers’ fields in four districts in the Ashanti Region Farmers and AEAs were trained on soybean production technologies Further evaluation would be carried out and farmer- preferred genotypes would be recommended for further analyses and release.

32. Molecular characterization of cowpea accessions held in the National genebank Dr. S. Amoah Dr. J.Y. Asibuo Dr. M. Quain Mr. Sylvester Addy Mr. Aaron T. Asare Funding: GCDT

33. Objective The objective of this work is to assess the genetic diversity among cowpea accessions held at the national gene bank, local landraces as well as introductions from other countries.

34. Materials and methods 80 lines were obtained from the national gene bank 100 lines were obtained from the CSIR-Crops Research Institute DNA was extracted using Qiagen DNeasy Plant mini kit. 20 SSR markers were used Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were resolved by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE)

35. Results DNA Ladder

36. Cowpea plants used for DNA extraction being grown in pots for their seeds at the CSIR-Crops Research Institute

37. Conclusion 180 cowpea accessions held at the national gene bank and CSIR-Crops Research Institute have been characterised using SSR markers. Preliminary results indicate a narrow genetic diversity among the lines analysed. Not all the 20 primers have been analysed yet (Analysis is still in progress) The materials analysed are available for use by the general public.

38. Planned activities for 2012 The following trials would be established SIT-E SIT-M SSVT-1 SSVT-2 Farmer participatory evaluation, selection and promotion of improved soybean varieties in the Ashanti Region Multilocational variety testing of improved soybean genotypes in partnership with Seed. Co. Zimbabwe

39. Acknowledgements FABS GCDT Ms. Linda Abrokwa and Mrs Belinda Amoah (of the Biotech Lab) All staff of the Legumes and oilseed Division especially M.K Adu (C.T.O)