Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production is currently under threat from cassava brown streak disease (CBSD), a disease that is among the seven most serious obstacles to world's food security. Three issues are of significance for CBSD. Firstly, the virus associated with CBSD, has co-evolved with cassava outside its center of origin for at least 90 years. Secondly, that for the last 74 years, CBSD was only limited to the low lands. Thirdly, that most research has largely focused on CBSD epidemiology and virus diversity. Accordingly, this paper focuses on CBSD genetics and/or breeding and hence, presents empirical data generated in the past 11 years of cassava breeding in Uganda. Specifically, this paper provides: 1) empirical data on CBSD resistance screening efforts to identify sources of resistance and/or tolerance; 2) an update on CBSD resistance population development comprising of full-sibs, half-sibs and S1 families and their respective field performances; and 3) insights into chromosomal regions and genes involved in CBSD resistance based on genome wide association analysis. It is expected that this information will provide a foundation for harmonizing on-going CBSD breeding efforts and consequently, inform the future breeding interventions aimed at combating CBSD.

Summary: The review aimed to identify the different high‐throughput phenotyping (HTP) techniques that used for quality evaluation in cassava and yam breeding programmes, and this has provided insights towards the development of metrics and their application in cassava and yam improvements. A systematic review of the published research articles involved the use of NIRS in analysing the quality traits of cassava and yam was carried out, and Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar were searched. The results of the review established that NIRS could be used in understanding the chemical constituents (carbohydrate, protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, moisture, starch, etc.) for high‐throughput phenotyping. This study provides preliminary evidence of the application of NIRS as an efficient and affordable procedure for HTP. However, the feasibility of using mid‐infrared spectroscopy (MIRS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) in combination with the NIRS could be further studied for quality traits phenotyping.

Groundnut which is a major staple food crop in Uganda is constrained by late leaf spot (LLS) and groundnut rosette disease (GRD), accounting for major economic yield loss. This study was conducted to identify sources of resistance to LLS and GRD and yield potential of selected groundnut genotypes that could be used in breeding programs. Thirty-eight groundnut genotypes were evaluated at the National Semi Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI)-Serere, Eastern Uganda during the first and second seasons of 2015. The experiment was arranged in randomized complete block design with four replications. The results showed highly significant (P < 0.01) genotype-by-season interaction for most of the traits studied. There were significant differences among the genotypes for 100 seed weight (P < 0.01), and dry pod yield and unshelled sample of 100 pods at P < 0.05. Late leaf spot severity (at harvest), GRD incidence (at 12 weeks) and severity (at harvest) were significantly (P < .01) different and positively correlated with Area Under Disease Progress Curve (AUDPC). GRD severity at harvest showed highly significant (P < 0.001) negative correlation with shelling percentage. Both 100 seed weight and unshelled sample of 100 pod showed highly significant (P < 0.01) negative correlations with LLS at harvest, LLS AUDPC, GRD at 12 weeks, GRD AUDPC, and GRD severity. Genotypes susceptible to both LLS and GRD recorded the lowest 100 seed weight. Nine genotypes (Serenut.2, SGV 0001, SGV 0005, SGV 0006, SGV 0019, SGV 0071, SGV 0082, SGV 0083, and SGV 89751T) showed resistance to both diseases with high yield potential. These genotypes could be used to introgress resistance to both diseases in acceptable cultivars which are susceptible.

Culinary cassava (Manihot esculenta L.) qualities that make a variety popular are a function of starch physicochemical properties. Hence, in response to inferior root qualities in some released cassava varieties in Uganda compared to the local germplasm, a study was undertaken to examine: (i) starch physicochemical characteristics in both introduced and local varieties; and (ii) the variation in the starch properties of their F1 progenies. The local varieties included Bao, Nyaraboke, Kakwale, and Bamunanika; and the introduced genotypes SE/95/00036, NASE 10, NASE 12, TME 5, and TME 14. Of the generated 7000 F1 seedlings, 1077 seedlings were selected, cloned (6-8 plants per genotype) and established in a single-row trial. Root samples were collected per clone and examined for starch physicochemical properties. Considerable variations were observed in the F1 families compared to the parental lines with weak correlations in most starch properties (r with dry matter content varying from 19-47% in both the F1 families and the parents. Ash and lipid content varied among the F1 families and parents with ranges 0.05-0.29% for ash and 0.1-0.32% for lipids. In both the parents and the F1 families, the reducing sugar and protein content ranged between 0.7-1.7 and 0.23-0.43%, respectively. These findings demonstrate: (i) existence of considerable genetic variations in starch physicochemical properties in both local and introduced cassava genotypes and their progenies, and (ii) potential utilisation of cassava starches for various applications based on the inherent differences in physicochemical characteristics.