Objective The main objectives are as follows :* To recommend sorghum breeders in West Africa (WA) the best breeding strategies, including Marker Assisted Selection (MAS) & resistance sources to use for creating sorghum varieties combining high grain yield & resistance to head bugs (HB), stem borer (SB: Busseola) &/or midge (SM).* To characterize insecticidal effect of Physic nut (Jatropha) and Neem extracts, and to improve extraction and formulation techniques of these compounds, in view of protecting sorghum from damage by stem & panicle pests.* To determine the efficiency & acceptability to WA farmers of integrated pest management (IPM) packages, for reducing losses to insects on sorghum.Expected OutcomeThe work carried out in this project should accelerate the creation process of sorghum varieties combining high yield potential & pest resistance, using MAS and sources with high & stable resistance (whose genes would have been mapped). It should also result in the decentralized production of plant-derived pesticides (whose characteristics would have been documented), for use by small-scale WA farmers. Ultimately, it should lead to the adoption and implementation of IPM programs, based on technical packages with resistant varieties, plant-derived pesticides, optimum dates of sowing, and when applicable, pheromone trapping, as major components, resulting in the reduction of insect losses in sorghum yield.The key activities envisaged are :* Mapping genes of resistance to HB & SB in sorghum, using molecular markers, with field characterization (under artificial insect infestation) of resistances in progenies derived from Resistant X Susceptible crosses.* Screening & breeding sorghums for resistance to HB, SB & SM. This will be carried out on-station under both natural & artificial infestation of all three pests.* Evaluation of the toxicity on noctuid caterpillars of phorbol esters (PEs) extracted from Jatropha oil. This will be carried out in the laboratory, using DL50 techniques.* Phytochemical analysis of PEs & other compounds in Jatropha oil with potential insecticidal properties, and determination of the mode of action on their molecular targets. Information on mutagenicity/carcinogenicity of PEs will be provided by in-vitro ADN fragmentation studies, and by a village-level survey.* Extraction/formulation of PE-based insecticides, and assessment of their effectiveness on-station (compared to Neem extracts), to control sorghum shoot & panicle pests.* On-station & on-farm assessment of IPM packages based on resistant sorghum varieties, plant-derived pesticide protection, optimum sowing date &/or pheromone trapping. Fields of science agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagricultureagronomyplant protectionagricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesagriculturegrains and oilseedsnatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology Programme(s) FP4-INCO - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of cooperation with third countries and international organizations, 1994-1998 Topic(s) 03010204 - Crop production Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator CENTRE DE COOPERATION INTERNATIONALE EN RECHERCHE AGRONOMIQUE POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT - CIRAD EU contribution No data Address Avenue de la Belle Gabrielle 45/BIS 94736 NOGENT SUR MARNE France See on map Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all Centre National de l'Energie Solaire et des Energies Renouvelables Mali EU contribution No data Address Route de Sotuba Bamako See on map Total cost No data INSTITUT D'ECONOMIE RURALE Mali EU contribution No data Address BAMAKO See on map Total cost No data Institut National d'Etudes et de Recherches Agricoles du Burkina-Faso Burkina Faso EU contribution No data Address 10 Bobo-Dioulasso See on map Total cost No data RUPRECHT-KARLS-UNIVERSITAET HEIDELBERG Germany EU contribution No data Address 364,Im Neuenheimer Feld 364 69120 HEIDELBERG See on map Total cost No data
