Patrick Kidasi is a horticulturist and a crop protectionist. Among his successful works include the cassava minisett technology. As an advocator for the cassava value chain, he actively trained farmers on seed systems and participated in several exhibitions as part of the dissemination of his research findings. He has training and experience in conducting efficacy trials on pesticides, fungicides and herbicides.
Abstract
Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is one of the climate-smart crops in the world. This study evaluated complementary technologies that would rapidly multiply and produce healthy certified cassava planting materials namely tissue culture and minisetts for increased cassava production and productivity. A survey targeting 250 farmers, a tissue culture protocol for regenerating cassava and minisett technology was evaluated. There were three main varieties grown at the coast- Tajirika, Kibandameno and the preferred landrace depending on the County commonly sourced from either farmers’ or neighbours’ seed. Tissue culture protocol showed at least 50% success rate on initiation, shooting and rooting as a rapid multiplication regeneration of Tajirika and Kibandameno and Taita landraces plantlets. Cassava minisetts of Tajirika and Kibandameno did not differ in rooting and shooting and Tajirika further developed to harvesting with similar growth performance as the control. The technologies evaluated complement each other and can be used to deliver healthy cassava planting materials and improve the efficiency of the seed system.
Research Supervisors
Dr Dora C. Kilalo, Prof A.W Mwang’ombe
