Molecular genetic diversity studes of Napier grass species from Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Ethiopia

Two diseases of Napier grass (grass head smut and grass stunt disease) are a major threat to the smallholder diary sub-sector in the region in East and Central Africa. Resource poor and landless farmers are particularly affected by these yield reductions to the extent that they cannot produce sufficient feed for their cows or grass for sale . 

Identification of resistant and more productive clones of Napier is one approach to address these feed shortages. This approach is economical and particularly suitable for Napier grass diseases since the farmers threatened by these diseases are resource poor and traditionally grow Napier grass with no or low inputs. Studies of the nutritive and agronomic traits of new disease resistant clones, including measurement of biomass will be used to identify superior genotypes that are resistant to diseases, adapted to local environments, high yielding and easy to handle for stall feeding. 

This project is assessing genetic diversity in Napier grass in East and Central Africa to identify sources of resistance to smut and stunt. It will test the hypothesis that genetic resistance to smut and stunt disease exists in Napier grass and can be exploited for disease control without loss of productivity