Institute of Agronomic Research, B.P. 13, Njombe, Cameroon.
* Present address: Division of Agricultural Sciences, Florida A & M University, Tallahassee, Florida 32307, U.S.A.
The cocoyam root rot blight complex is a major constraint to cocoyam production in Cameroon. The use of fungicides such as Ridomyl (Metalaxyl) and cultural practices are known to have reduced losses, but the ultimate goal remains the breeding for resistant varieties. Some clones obtained from 1980 and 1981 crosses show some degree of resistance to the root rot blight complex. The negative correlation (r = 0.516) between yield and disease score indicate the absence of the disease will result in higher plant yields and vice versa. Hence breeding efforts should be directed towards improving yields in cocoyam producing areas.
Xanthosoma sagittifolium, Pythium myriotylum, yield, root rot, resistance
