FOR YIELD AND RESISTANCE TO MAIZE STREAK VIRUS DISEASE By ALLEN OPPONG

208 Pages·2014·2.9 MB·English

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DEVELOPMENT OF TOPCROSS HYBRID MAIZE (Zea mays L.) FOR YIELD AND
RESISTANCE TO MAIZE STREAK VIRUS DISEASE

By
ALLEN OPPONG
(10293971)

THIS THESIS IS SUBMITTED TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON IN
PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE AWARD OF
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY DEGREE IN PLANT BREEDING

WEST AFRICA CENTRE FOR CROP IMPROVEMENT
SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SCIENCES
UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON

DECEMBER 2013
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DECLARATION
I hereby declare that except for references to works of other researchers, which have been duly
cited, this work is my original research and that neither part nor whole has been presented
elsewhere for the award of a degree.

..................................................
ALLEN OPPONG
(Student)

..................................................
PROF. S.K. OFFEI
(Supervisor)

..................................................
PROF. K. OFORI
(Supervisor)

..................................................
DR. HANS ADU-DAPAAH
(Supervisor)

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Dedication
This work is dedicated to my father Very Rev. William Ofori of blessed memory, my mother
Grace, my siblings, my wife Linda, my little daughter, Marilyn and rest of the family.

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General Abstract
Studies were conducted to explore the potential of utilizing Ghanaian maize landraces for
improved grain yield and resistance to the maize streak virus disease. Farmer perceptions of the
maize streak virus disease as well as constraints to the adoption of improved varieties and
farmers’ continuous reliance on local landraces or farmer varieties and production constraints
were investigated. Genomic characterization of Maize streak virus (MSV) strains found in the
forest and transitions zones of Ghana were also undertaken to identify virulent strains of the
virus that can be used to screen novel genotypes with adequate resistance to the disease. Genetic
relationships among selected Ghanaian maize landraces and “exotic” germplasm were analyzed
using SSR markers. Studies on general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability
(SCA) on yield and related traits as well as MSV disease incidence and severity were conducted
on selected local landraces and some CIMMYT and IITA inbred line testers using the line by
tester approach. Percentage heterosis and heterotic groups were assessed in the local germplasm.
The yield stability of selected topcross hybrids generated together with their landrace parents
were assessed using AMMI and yield stability index in six environments.
Sixty four (64%) of respondents cultivated improved OPVs released by the research institutes
and about 36% and 3% depend on landraces and hybrids respectively. Majority of the farmers
preferred cultivars with slender cobs and lot of grains. Constraints identified by the farmers
included climate change, poor road infrastructure, lack of farming inputs and cheating by
middlemen. Majority of farmers interviewed had knowledge of the maize streak virus disease.
Maize streak virus disease was mentioned as a seasonal disease which affects about 20% of their
yields. Variants of MSV A identified from the disease specimen also aligned closely with those
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that have been detected in West Africa. The UPGMA dendrogram showed one big cluster with
two outliers. However, eight minor clusters and nine outliers were found, if a perpendicular line
is drawn from 0.22 genetic similarity, whilst Bayesian analysis indicated four sub populations
and a mixed group. Significantly high mean yields were obtained for some of the topcross
hybrids compared with their parents and the local checks with as much as 111% heterosis being
observed for some of topcross hybrids over the best parent yield. Heterotic groups were assigned
to 11 of the landraces (farmer varieties) whilst the remaining 5 could not be assigned.
Significantly positive general combining abilities (GCA) effects with respect to yield were
observed for lines LA30, LA3 and LA80, while significantly positive specific combining ability
effects were observed for crosses involving lines LA558, LA76, LA80, LA457 and LA3. Testers
CML442, CML444 and TZEI17 GCA effects significantly contributed positively to yield
increase but significantly negative to MSV disease incidence and severity. Yield stability index
ranked most of the topcross hybrids as high yielding and stable across environments.
This work has demonstrated the potential of utilizing Ghanaian maize landraces for improved
yield and resistance to the Maize streak virus disease. It is recommended that inbred lines are
developed from some of the promising landraces identified which can be used to produce single
or double cross hybrids with yields and Maize streak virus disease resistance better than what
was obtained in this study for wider adoption.

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Acknowledgement
My greatest acknowledgement goes to the Almighty God for His mercies this far. I humbly
acknowledge my supervisors; Prof S.K. Offei, Prof. K. Ofori, Dr. Charles Thé (of blessed
memory) and Dr. Hans Adu-Dapaah for their pieces of advice, encouragement and support
which enabled successful completion of this study. Most special appreciation and thanks go to
the Alliance for the Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) for granting me a scholarship to
undertake this study. Worthy of special mention are Prof. Eric Y-Danquah, Director of the West
Africa centre for Crop Improvement (WACCI), University of Ghana, Legon and Dr. Rufaro
Madakadze of AGRA for their unflinching support. I am grateful to the Director General of the
CSIR and the entire management of the CSIR-Crops Research Institute, Kumasi for granting me
study leave and providing a congenial set-up that enabled this study to be carried out. I am
grateful to the Generation Challenge Programme (GCP) for providing genotyping support
service through BeCA, Nairobi, Kenya as well as some equipment and training through the
‘Capacity building a la carté programme. I dare not forget to acknowledge the immense support I
have received from Dr. Marilyn L. Warburton of USDA-ARS CHPRRU, Mississippi State, MS,
USA, for supporting my application to WACCI and reading through some portions of this work.
Similarly, I am grateful to Dr. F.O Anno-Nyako of CSIR and Dr. F. A. Ofori formerly, of the
KNUST Crops Science Department who in several ways have supported me this far. I recognize
the immense support of Dr. Arvind Varsani of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand and
Dr. Martin P. Darren of the University of Cape Town, South Africa for their support for the
genomic characterization of Ghanaian Maize streak virus isolates. Special thanks go to Dr.
Vernon Gracen of WACCI and Cornell University, New York, USA, for his support and advice.
I am grateful to Dr. Cosmos Magorokosho of CIMMYT Zimbabwe and Dr. Badu-Apraku of
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IITA for freely supplying me inbred lines. Worthy of mention are the staff of the Pathology and
Entomology sections, PB maize and Socio-economic divisions of the CSIR-CRI for their total
support and commitment. Of particular mention, are Dr. M. Owusu-Akyaw, Dr. B.M. Mochia,
Dr. J.N.L. Lamptey, Dr. E. Moses, Dr. K. Obeng-Antwi, Mr. Ibrahim Adama and Mr. Manfred
B. Ewool. Others are Mr. Lord Ohemeng Appiah, Bright Asante, Benedicta Nsia-Frimpong, Mr.
and Mrs Appiah Kubi, Esther Ntim Oheneba, Isaac Ativor, Kwasi Paul, Francis Dadzie, Francis
Mensah, Mr. Joseph Kyeremeh, Stephen Oware Kunkuma, Kwadwo Alale, Kwame Aponye,
Nana Ebo, Ebenezer (Entomology), Rose Osei Kofi, Kwabena Ali Balenge, Bawuah, Samuel
Wiafe, Rose Baafi and Comfort Nkrumah Gyamera. Special thanks go Alhaji Yakubu and Mr.
Emmanuel Donkor of the Forestry Commission, Kumasi, the entire staff of WACCI, Dr.
Maxwell D. Asante, and the numerous friends who in no small measure have contributed to this
work. I say thank you to all the International Scientists who delivered modules on plant breeding
at WACCI and reviewed this work at the conception and final stages. Last but not least; I am
indebted to my family, wife Linda, my course mates (Cohort two members) and the numerous
well wishers for their support, prayers and encouragement.

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Table of Contents
DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................. i
Dedication ....................................................................................................................................... ii
General Abstract ............................................................................................................................ iii
Acknowledgement .......................................................................................................................... v
Table of Contents .......................................................................................................................... vii
List of Tables ................................................................................................................................. xi
List of Figures .............................................................................................................................. xiii
List of Plate .................................................................................................................................. xiv
Acronyms and abbreviations......................................................................................................... xv
Chapter One .................................................................................................................................... 1
1.0 General Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1
CHAPTER TWO ............................................................................................................................ 6
2.0 Literature review ....................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 Origin, Classification and Botany of maize .......................................................................... 6
2.2 Importance of maize .............................................................................................................. 7
2.3 Maize streak virus ................................................................................................................. 9
2.3.1 Maize streak virus disease ................................................................................................ 11
2.3.2 MSV Disease epidemiology ............................................................................................. 12
2.3.3 Economic importance of Maize streak virus disease ....................................................... 15
2.4 Management of Maize Streak Virus Disease (MSVD) ....................................................... 16
2.4.1 Genetic basis of MSV resistance ...................................................................................... 18
2.4.2 Breeding for MSV resistance using conventional methods ............................................. 19
2.5 Combining abilities, heterosis and heterotic groups ........................................................... 21
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2.5.1 Hybrid maize production .................................................................................................. 25
2.6 Marker assisted selection .................................................................................................... 28
2.6.1 Genetic characterization for Diversity studies ................................................................. 32
2.7 Farmer participation in breeding and varietal selection ...................................................... 36
2.8 Importance of Landraces in modern maize breeding .......................................................... 38
2.9 Yield Stability ..................................................................................................................... 42
CHAPTER THREE ...................................................................................................................... 46
3.0 Farmers’ perceptions on maize streak virus disease, production constraints, and preferred
varieties in the forest-transition zone of Ghana ............................................................................ 46
3.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 46
3.2 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................ 47
3.2.1 Focus group discussions ................................................................................................... 47
3.2.2 Questionnaire administration ........................................................................................... 48
3.2.3 Data analyses .................................................................................................................... 49
3.3 Results ................................................................................................................................. 49
3.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 57
3.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 61
CHAPTER FOUR ......................................................................................................................... 62
4.0 Genomic characterization of Maize streak virus (MSV) strains found in the forest and
transition zones of Ghana .............................................................................................................. 62
4.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 62
4.2 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................ 64
4.2.1 Sample collection ............................................................................................................. 64
4.2.2 Maize streak virus DNA extraction, cloning and nucleotide sequencing ........................ 69
4.2.3 Maize streak virus sequence analyses .............................................................................. 69
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4.3 Results ................................................................................................................................. 71
4.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 74
4.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 76
Chapter Five .................................................................................................................................. 77
5.0 Determination of genetic relationships among Ghanaian maize landraces and “exotic”
germplasm using SSR markers ..................................................................................................... 77
5.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 77
5.2 Materials and Methods ........................................................................................................ 79
5.2.1 Germplasm ....................................................................................................................... 79
5.2.2 DNA Extraction................................................................................................................ 79
5.2.3 PCR and Genotyping ........................................................................................................ 83
5.2.4 Data analyses .................................................................................................................... 84
5.3 Results ................................................................................................................................. 85
5.4 Discussion ........................................................................................................................... 94
5.5 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................... 97
Chapter Six.................................................................................................................................... 99
6.0 Studies on Combining ability, heterotic patterns and yield stability of crosses involving
selected Ghanaian maize landraces and inbred line testers .......................................................... 99
6.1 Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 99
6.2 Materials and Methods ...................................................................................................... 102
6.2.1 Location of Experiments ................................................................................................ 102
6.2.2 Source of Germplasm ..................................................................................................... 102
6.2.3 Establishment of Crossing blocks .................................................................................. 105
6.2.4 Evaluation of F1 topcross hybrids and parents .............................................................. 106
6.2.5 Data Collection ............................................................................................................... 107
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