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A Review Cocoyam Breeding in Nigeria: Achievements, Challenges and Prospects
Abstract
This paper presents the status of cocoyam breeding in Nigeria highlighting the achievements, challenges and prospects. Modest achievements have been made in evaluation of land races for yield and suitability for target products; flowering and mutation induction studies; and micropropagation. The challenges posed by lack of gene introgression due to lack of sexual propagation; the narrow genetic base of the local population; and the scourge of TLB and CRRBC were highlighted. Introduction and adaptive trialling of newly acquired exotic cultivars of Colocasia esculenta to identify and select genotypes that will be suitable for local production is suggested as a quick means of addressing the problem narrow genetic base and TLB and consequently increasing local production. A vibrant cocoyam rebirth initiative recently launched by NRCRI Umudike is helping to create awareness and interest in cocoyam research and production in Nigeria. However the perennial problem of poor funding must be addressed for enhanced research and production of cocoyam.
Key words: Cocoyam, Colocasia, Xanthosoma, Breeding
