| Popis: |
Availability of disease-free, high yielding cassava planting material is a challenge to producers. This study focused on evaluating the ability of improved and local varieties to be introduced for the first time in vitro. Meristem tip culture was used to regenerate in vitro plantlets of cassava varieties in Cameroon. Three improved (8034, 8061 and 8017) and two local varieties (black stem and Madame) were taken from the IRAD cassava breeding programme and locally from farmers’ fields respectively. Five meristems were cultured per replicate (4) per variety. The number of meristem tips sprouting, rooting, the number of nodes and plant height were recorded weekly over a period of seven weeks. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0. One-way Analysis Of Variance was used to compare the means. Means separated using the Turkey test at probability level 0.05. Meristem tips of all varieties regenerated plantlets with vigorous shoots and roots. Sprouting began in the first week and mean number sprouted per replicate ranged from 1.32 (Madame) to 3.32 (8061). Root formation began from the 4th week and mean number ranged from 0.29 (Madame) to 1.00 (8061). Regenerated shoots of all varieties had average nodes ranging from 0.29 (Madame) to 1.55 (8061). Height of regenerated plantlets ranged from 5.88mm (8017) to 13.08mm (Black stem). All the cassava varieties tested can be introduced in vitro for rapid multiplication of planting material. |
