A presentation prepared by Janice Proud for the ASARECA/ILRI workshop on Mitigating the Impact of Napier Grass Smut and Stunt Diseases, Addis Ababa, June 2-3, 2010

1. Napier grass smut and stunt resistance ASARECA Project 06/RC01-FC-2-02 (LFP PRJ 12) Presented at the ASARECA/ILRI Workshop on Mitigating the Impact of Napier Grass Smut and Stunt Diseases, Addis Ababa, June 2-3, 2010

2. Napier grass is grown extensively in Kenya and Uganda by smallholder farmers as feed for stall fed dairy cows

3. Napier grass smut and stunt both severely reduce plant biomass production. This is limiting feed availability for smallholder farmers Napier grass smut Napier grass stunt

4. Effect of Napier grass stunt on fodder yield, Uganda 2007 2009

5. Project leaders from Tanzania, Uganda and Kenya Some of wider project team

6. ILR I INTERNATIONAL LIVESTOCK RESEARCH INSTITUTE INSTITUTE Napier Grass N apier grass is a major cut and carry feed for cross bred dairy cattle. Smut and stunt diseases are causing yield reductions. W orking together can reduce the impact of stunt and smut on smallholder dairy farms in East Africa . This project is: R esponding to the disease threats to a smallholder dairy industry dependent on Napier grass R aising awareness of Napier grass smut and stunt in the region R esponding to demand for information on managing Napier grass smut and stunt R esponding to demand for productive and resistant clones of Napier grass from NARS and farmers in the region Best management practices I nspect your crop regularly and remove diseased plants K eep Napier healthy by weeding and manuring plots U se planting material from disease free areas A partnership approach to mitigate the effects of Napier diseases on smallholder dairy Partners: International Livestock Research Institute , Kenyan Agricultural Research Institute, National Biological Control Program (Tanzania), National Livestock Resource Research Institute (Uganda), Rothamsted Research (UK), International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology Contact: Dr Jean Hanson, j.hanson@cgiar.org Dr Janice Proud, j.proud@cgiar.org Stall fed cows face feed shortages Screening for disease incidence Stunt affected plant Different strains of stunt Website screenshot (https:/sites.google.com/site/napiergrassdiseaseresistance) Raising awareness National team leaders Information gathering and dissemination Weighing biomass Healthy Napier grass

9. Morphological characterisation and biomass trials Napier grass from national collections selected for replicate trials on basis of disease resistance, high yield and variation in morphology Napier grass characterised for morphological traits using standard protocol. Traits can be used to select clones desirable to farmers, less hairy and serrated High yielding clones identified in each national trial Technical progress 56 52 Uganda 30 212 Tanzania 120 597 Kenya Clones in trial Clones collected

11. Disease incidence and severity Replicated trials planted with spreader rows of infected plants for field challenge for stunt Disease scored after each harvest Uganda all clones susceptible to stunt Clones showing tolerance planted for further challenge with vector To date, still 14 clones disease free in Tanzania and 40 in Kenya, of which 28 high yielding Technical progress 0 0 0 56 Uganda No data yet 14 15 30 Tanzania 28 40 83 120 Kenya Disease free high yielding clones Disease free clones Clones vector challenge Clones in trial

15. Knowledge sharing

16. Knowledge sharing

23. Thank you to ASARECA and ADB for funding this work 1 Demand driven technologies/innovations generated and promoted 3 Regional and national capacity for implementing agricultural research in the IAR4D paradigm strengthened 4 Availability of information on agricultural research and development enhanced which is working to ensure that farmers have productive disease free Napier grass for their cows to help feed and support their families, while meeting ASARECA objectives: Napier grass stunt in Uganda