Niyonzima Pierre

Degree Programme

Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology

Biography

Niyonzima Pierre is an agronomist currently working as research with the National Agriculture Research Institute with over eleven years work experience in agricultural research for development and extension. He holds a Masters degree in Plant Breeding and Biotechnology from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He undertook his academic research on genetic diversity of cassava germplasm of Burundi. He obtained his Engineer degree in Agriculture (BSc+5) from the Faculty of Agriculture, National University of Burundi in 2008 with a major in crop and animals production. Under the National University funds, he undertook academic research on evaluating yield performance of new varieties of rice in lowland conditions in Burundi. He worked with the roots and tuber research program at ISABU with a focus on sweet potato and taro crops for five years. Since 2014 to 2018, he led potato research program and worked with the plant biotechnology laboratory of the National Agriculture Research Institute. Niyonzima Pierre acquired knowledge and experience from national, regional and international trainings and conferences. He is experienced in plant breeding and biotechnology, plant tissue culture, plant genetic diversity, seed production and seed system, research for development and extension. Currently, he is full time researcher at the National Agriculture Research Institute with main focus on cassava and potato breeding and variety release.

Abstract

Most small scale farmers in Burundi use cassava local landraces. Though they have farmer-preferred traits, their genetic diversity is unknown and marred by phenotypic susceptibility to Cassava Brown Streak Disease (CBSD) and Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD). This limits future breeding programs to improve cassava production and resistance to diseases. Due to this, disease tolerant genotypes were introduced to Burundi to help improve on their germplasm and then determine the relationships between them and the local landraces. This study aimed to (1) assess the genetic diversity among cassava landraces and introduced genotypes using morphological and molecular markers and (2) determine effects of genotype by environment interaction (GxEI) on resistance to CBSD and CMD in varied agro-ecological zones of Burundi. Genotype characterization was done using 17 qualitative agro-morphological traits while molecular analysis was conducted using SNP genotyping data from DaRTseq. The effect of (GxEI) on resistance to cassava viral diseases was determined using 18 accessions arranged in alpha-lattice design on 9 blocks per site. Molecular characterization revealed over 18,000 SNPs, six main clusters and three pairs of duplicates but with low genetic distance between accessions. Phenotypic classification showed three main clusters. GxEI study identified CMD and CBSD diseases tolerant genotypes and genotypes having dually tolerance to above diseases. Despite the variability found within the collection, it was concluded that cassava landraces in Burundi and introduced clones present a narrow genetic base. Identified tolerant genotypes will be incorporated in cassava breeding program for transferring the genes to farmer-preferred varieties.