Napier grass stunt tolerant clones MM2A5 (K38) | Crop Management (Crop Varieties)
Description of the technology or innovation
Napier Stunt Disease (NSD) causes lots of economic losses toNapier grass production in the East African Region and poses a great threat tolivestock production. The NSD causes a reduction in Napier grass fodder yieldby up to 60%. The NSD incidence is high,estimated to be between 5% - 80%. Therefore, there is a need to developresistant Napier varieties as a means of mitigating the disease impact in thelivestock sector and the regional economy in general. In Kenya, high yieldingand stunt tolerant clones have been identified. These include MMS 3B9 (K33), BTR3A1 (K72), MM2A5 (K38) and BGM1B28 (K75). Similarly, in Tanzania, clones thatwere high yielding and tolerant to stunt were identified as T4, T21 and T26.These Napier grass clones are critical for the management of the NSD.
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MMS 3B9 (K33) | 1. BTR 3A1 (K72) | 2. BGM1B28 (K75) |
Assessment/reflection on utilization, dissemination & scaling out or up approaches used
The primary targets of these technologies are the medium and small-scaledairy farmers in East and Central Africa located within the hotspot areas wherethe stunting disease is prevalent. These technologies have undergone fieldtesting in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. NSD occurs in Tanzania, Uganda andKenya, but not in Ethiopia. The disease is spreading fast, and is threateningthe livestock industry in the region. The rapid spread of NSD can be attributedto the fact that farmers lack the necessary knowledge and tools to manage it.Farmers need to be sensitized and trained on how to manage the disease in orderto avoid further spread, and minimize its impact on the dairy industry.Multiplication sites where farmers can obtain clean planting materials shouldalso be established. This is important in terms of addressing the currentshortage of planting materials in the region.
Although farmers were applying the recommendedcultural management practices, NSD incidence and severity were still high,implying that the practices did not adequately manage the disease. These practicesneed to be complimented with more sound approaches such as host plantresistance and use of manure. Considering the reported shortage of cleanplanting materials, more collections are needed to enable identification of NSDtolerant clones that will be multiplied and distributed to farmers to meet thegrowing demand in the region. The NSD tolerant materials will be integratedwith cultural practices as part of a holistic approach to addressing NSDproblem. To address the shortage of animal feed, research should also beconducted to identify other nutritive fodder/dairy feeds that can supplementNapier grass.
Current situation and future scaling up
Napier grass (Pennisetumpurpureum) is the major livestock feed for most dairy farmers in Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda. Being quite affordable and easy to propagate, its likelyadoption will increase livestock production and smallholder household incomes. TheNapier clones have the potential to control NSD and boost Napier production. Tosupport future adoption and scaling up of these technologies, focus should bedirected towards raising awareness and training farmers about NSD and toolsrequired for its management. Establishment of multiplication sites where cleanseed/planting can be distributed to farmers will go a long way in promotingwider uptake of the technology.
Economic Considerations
The NSD is a devastating disease that can cause a reduction inNapier grass fodder yield by up to 60%. The improved clones can mitigate the effectsof the disease thereby improving productivity of the fodder, which translatesto improved milk yields, household incomes, food security and nutrition. Besides,surplus Napier can be sold to generate extra revenue. With the rapidlyincreasing population and subdivision of land, and decrease in farm size manyfarmers are changing to zero grazing, which requires large quantities of fodderthat Napier can provide since it has potential yields of about 50-100 tons ofgreen matter per hectare per year.
Gender considerations
The NSD tolerant varieties and theassociated management practices are gender neutral and intended to benefit allmembers of the community, including vulnerable and marginalized groups. The technologiesparticularly addresses the challenges of feed faced by women farmers, whoconstitute a majority of small-scale livestock farmers. The common criteriaused by both male and female farmers to select the Napier clones mainlyincluded disease tolerance, broad leaves, many tillers, high yields, not hairy(smooth), growth vigour, bulkiness and dark green colour.
Contact details
Margaret Mulaa;
Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Kitale;
P.O. Box 450-30200;
Kitale, Kenya.
Tel: +254-20-3509161
Mob: +254(0)722382769
Email: margaretmulaa@yahoo.com
Jolly Kabirizi;
Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);
P.O. Box 96;
Tororo, Uganda.
Tel: +256 45448360
Mob: +256-777912716
Email: jmkabirizi@gmail.com
Beatrice Pallangyo;
Ministry of Agriculture Food security and Cooperatives;
P.O. Box 9071;
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Mob: +255-232402729
Email: beatricepallangyo@yahoo.com
Hanson, J;
Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI),
P.O. Box 5689;
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Mob: +251-116460294;
Email: j.hanson@cgiar.org
Janice Proud;
Scientist, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)-AddisAbaba,
P.O. Box 5689;
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Email: j.proud@cgiar.org
Erasmus Mukibi;
Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);
P.O. Box 96;
Tororo, Uganda.
Tel: +256 45448360
Mob: +256-782-698493
Email: mukiibies@yahoo.com
Claude Maeda;
Scientist, International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
P.O. Box 30031;
Kibaha, Tanzania.
Tel: +255 22 2700092
Fax: +255 22 2775021
Email: c.maeda@cgiar.org
Bramwel Wanjala;
Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization (KALRO)
P.O. Box 14733-00800;
Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel: +254-20-2719933/4
Fax: 254-20-2719951
Email: bramwelwanjala@yahoo.com
Awalla, B.J;
Scientist, Kenya Agricultural Livestock and Research Organization-Kitale
P.O. Box 450-30200;
Kitale, Kenya.
Tel: +254-54201079
Fax: +254-54-30378
Clementine Namazzi;
Scientist, National Livestock Resources Research Institute(NaLIRRI);
P.O. Box 96;
Tororo, Uganda.
Tel: +256 45448360
Email: cserrubiri@yahoo.com
Additional information
Glossary
Mulaa, M., Kabirizi, J., Pallangyo, B., Hanson, J., Proud, J.,Mukibi, E., Maeda, C., Wanjala, B., Awalla, B.J. and Namazzi, C. 2012.Diversity, biomass and resistance to stunt in Napier grass clones in East andCentral Africa Region (In press).
Mulaa, M. and Ajanga, S. 2004. Report on A survey to collect andidentify potential vectors of Napier grass stunting disease associated withphytoplasma in Western Kenya. KARI Kitale Annual Report