The dearth of information on the extent of genetic variability in cassava limits the genetic improvement of cassava in Sierra Leone. This study aimed at assessing the genetic variability and relationships within 103 cassava genotypes using agro-morphological and culinary markers. A field trial was conducted in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences research site. The experiment was laid out in an augmented randomized block design. Morphological classification based on qualitative and quantitative traits categorized the germplasm into three different groups. A total of ten principal components (PCs) in the qualitative and six PCs in the quantitative trait sets accounted for 66.74% and 67.27% of the total genetic variation, respectively. Traits with significantly strong and positive correlations included presence of fruit (PFRT) and presence of seeds (PSE) (r = 0.86 ***), root yield per plant (RYPP) and number of storage roots (NSR) (r = 0.76 ***), RYPP and number of commercial roots (NCR) (r = 0.68 ***), length of leaf lobes (LLL) and width of leaf lobes (WLL) (r = 0.66 ***), and between NSR and NCR (r = 0.84 ***). The cooking time, cooking percentage, texture, mealiness, taste, and aroma varied widely among the accessions. The findings established that the cassava germplasm possesses useful genetic variability that could be exploited through selection for short-term release programs, genetic conservation of the valuable germplasm, and genetic improvement of the crop.

Dearth of information on extent of genetic variability in cassava limits the genetic improvement of cassava in Sierra Leone. This study aimed at assessing the genetic variability and relationships within 103 cassava genotypes using agro-morphological and culinary markers. A field trial was conducted in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences research site. The experiment was laid in an augmented randomized block design. Morphological classification based on qualitative and quantitative traits categorized the germplasm into three different groups. A total of ten principal components (PCs) in the qualitative and six PCs in the quantitative trait sets accounted for 66.74% and 67.27% of the total genetic variation, respectively. Traits with significantly strong and positive correlations included presence of fruit (PFRT) and presence of seed (PSE)(r = 0.86***),root yield per plant (RYPP) and number of storage root (NSR) (r = 0.76***), RYPP and number of commercial root (NCR) (r = 0.68***), length of leaf lobe (LLL) and width of leaf lobe (WLL) (r = 0.66***),and between NSR and NCR (0.84***). Cooking time, cooking percentage, texture, mealiness, taste and aroma varied widely among the accessions. Findings established that the cassava germplasm possess useful genetic variability that could be exploited through selection for short term release programme, genetic conservation of valuable germplasm and genetic improvement of the crop.

Limited information regarding the spatial distribution of key agronomic and biotic traits in cassava morphological types constrains targeted breeding, conservation and crop improvement efforts in Sierra Leone. This study aimed to assess the distribution of key agronomic traits of cassava morphological types on 276 smallholder farms in Sierra Leone during January 2022. Traits studied included apical leaf color, leaf color, leaf vein color, number of lobes, number of whiteflies and grasshoppers, cassava mosaic disease (CMD) severity, farm size and age of plants. A field survey involving 276 cassava farms distributed across the five regions of Sierra Leone was conducted in January 2022. Agronomic, pest and disease data were collected from 30 randomly selected plants per farm following WAVE harmonized protocols. Geographic Information System (GIS)-based geospatial analyses were used to generate spatial distribution maps, while analysis of variance and Pearson correlation analyses were used to examine relationships among traits, pest abundance and disease severity. The majority of the cassava morphological types assessed exhibited green apical leaf (65.3%), light green leaf (64.3%), green leaf vein (55.6%), and prominent foliar scar (53.5%) with seven lobes (62.6%). Whitefly and grasshopper had higher populations of seven whiteflies per plant and 12 grasshoppers per plant in the western and eastern regions, respectively; whereas, a few farms in the southern region had no whiteflies. The CMD infection was mainly through contaminated cuttings (99.2%), with cutting-derived plants exhibiting moderate CMD severity. Mean CMD severity significantly ( P ≤ 0.05) varied with farm size, with high (4.29), medium (3.8) and low (2.94) CMD recorded in small (0–1 ha), medium (2–3 ha) and big (4–5 ha) farms, respectively. This study establishes the existence of useful phenotypic variability in the regional distribution of morphological traits that could be exploited for phenotypic selection for production, conservation, utilization, and/ or genetic improvement of the crop. Findings serve as useful guide for genotypic selection for production, conservation, utilization, and genetic improvement of cassava using existing phenotypic diversity.

The study investigated farmers’ perception on pests and diseases management strategies, agricultural practices, production constraints and selection criteria of elite varieties using a survey research design. A total of 700 questionnaires were administered to smallholder farmers who were farming for household consumption, those producing for sale and household consumption and those who were mainly producing for sale because their primary goal was to produce for the market. Findings revealed that the most prevalent pests identified were whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci), grasshoppers (Zonocerus variegatus), aphids (Aphis gossypii), mealybugs (Phenacoccus manihoti), termites (Isoptera), and grasscutters (Thryonomys swinderianus). The three most common diseases of cassava limiting growth and yield with mixed infection include viral, bacterial, and fungal. The study also revealed that only 12.5% of farmers cultivated improved cassava varieties. The management practices implemented encompassed field sanitation and the application of pesticides. Lack of capital and no availability of market were the most important production and marketing constraints faced by farmers in the study area, whereas poundability and high storage root yield are the most preferred traits farmers consider in selecting a new variety. Results suggest that smallholder farmers should endeavor to undergo various developmental programs to develop themselves to increase their competitive advantage in their locality and in the local and global agricultural sectors. In addition, governments and other policy makers should strategize plans and programs that would contribute to smallholder farmers’ agriculture, community and national development.

Pest infestation has been a major challenge and significant constraint to rice production in Sierra Leone, threatening food security and farmers livelihoods. Unfortunately, there is a limited study on farmers’ perception and knowledge on the identification and management of these pests. Therefore, this study assessed farmers’ perceptions and knowledge regarding the identification and management of economically important insect pests across three key rice producing districts (Kenema, Kambia and Moyamba). The study used a mixed methods approach, and data were collctedfrom 300 rice farmers through structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using Statistical packages for social science and both descriptive and inferential statistics were performed. The findings revealed that middle aged farmers were the most dominant and played a critical role in rice production while there was limited engagement from the younger and older farmers posing serious concern about further production. The findings further revealed a widespread reliance on physical and traditional pest control methods such as manual removal and farm sanitation with limited adoption of integrated pests’ management(IPM) practices. Major pests identified included stem borers, rice ear bug leafhoppers and termites. Logistic regression analysis showed that IPM adoption was significantly influenced by farmers age, education level, and pest knowledge. Despite low awareness of IPM, most of the farmers expressed willingness to adopt the practice. Pest infestations resulted in substantial yiled losses across all districts with Kambia experiencing the highest reduction(1.2 t/ha). Key constraints to pest management include lack of capital, limited access to credit and insufficient extension support. This study therefore underscores the importance of education, training, and financial support in promoting IPM adoption and sustainable pest management.