WHAT IS YANEB?
The Yam Nematodes Benin (YANEB) Project is working to strengthen yam production in Benin by identifying and using local and improved nematode-resistant varieties of yam. Benin is the fourth largest producer of yams globally, with 55% of its population depending on the crop for food and income security. Yam production in the country is currently declining due to several biotic and abiotic constraints, including plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN), which can cause 80–100% loss of tubers during storage. YANEB is building a greater understanding around PPN and developing nematode-resistant varieties of yam that will help increase food security and alleviate poverty across Benin.
WHAT ARE ITS AIMS?
The project has five main research aims:
- To assess the diversity, distribution, prevalence and incidence of PPN on yam throughout Benin with a focus on the Meloidogyne species and Scutellonema bradys
- To develop DNA-barcodes and high-throughput (multiplex) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnostics for yam parasitic nematode (Meloidogyne and Scutellonema species) detection and identification
- To develop a pool of cultivars of high agronomic performance, resistance to yam parasitic nematodes and with good market value suitable for production in different conditions
- To produce clean planting material of the best cultivars for distribution to, and use by, farmers
- To strengthen the academic and/or technical capacities of students, NARS staff, technicians and yam farmers, and the research facilities of the Nematology Research Unit of the Faculty of Science and Technology of Dassa
WHO IS DELIVERING YANEB?
- University of Abomey-Calavi
- Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO)
- International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Dr Antoine Affokpon
Project dates:
2014–2019
Crop(s):
Yam
Project focus location(s): Benin