Spider plant (Cleome gynandra) breeding priorities and preferences among landraces in Zimbabwe
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Participatory approaches such as participatory rural appraisal (PRA) and participatory variety selection (PVS) methods empower farmers to play a greater role in the decision-making process and in shaping the future improvement of crops. However, few studies have established breeding priorities and assessed variety preferences for spider plant, a nutrient-rich and medicinal crop mainly grown as landraces by farmers. Aim: This study aims to set spider plant breeding priorities and select preferred varieties. Setting: This study was conducted at seven farmer field schools (FFSs) located in various districts of Zimbabwe during the 2021–2022 summer season. Methods: Landrace genotypes were planted in a variety of demonstration plots where farmers met, learned and discussed important breeding traits, ultimately ranking the landrace genotypes. Important traits of spider plant were identified and prioritised to establish breeding priorities. The final ranking was conducted at the end of the season, and the data were analysed for significance. Results: The top six most important breeding priorities across the FFS can be ranked as follows: size of leaves > number of branches > taste > late maturity > germination > early leaf growth. Preferences for different genotypes varied among FFSs. CGGUR, CGMRGP-Marondera and CGUZG1 were preferred for higher branching habits. Landraces with larger leaf sizes, were CGNPGRC356, CGMRGP-Marondera. Conclusion: The preferred genotypes were as follows: Tsholotsho = CGGUR, Rushinga = CGKENYA, Chiredzi = CGMRG1, Mudzi = CGMRGP-Marondera, Horticulture Research Institution – Research community (HRI-R) = CGMRG1 and CGKENYA, and M-Chiota = CGZIM and CGUZG1. Across FFSs, significantly (p < 0.001) higher preference ranks were in the following order: CGMRGP-Marondera > CGMRG1 > CGNPGRC355 > CGKENYA. Contribution: These genotypes can be utilised for future genetic improvement, seed production and variety release.
DOI: 10.4102/jucr.v3i1.21
Language: English
Topic: Genetics and Plant Breeding
Subfield: Plant Science
Domain: Life Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4403553519