By A.Musabyisoni*,I.Habarurema, G.Gumisiriza, M.A.Ingabire, M.Uwamahoro, A.Kayumba, and G.Nshimyimana *Corresponding author: musabyisoni@gmail.com

1. Adaptation of three imported wheat varieties in Rwanda
1A. Musabyisoni*,1I. Habarurema, 1G. Gumisiriza, 1M. A. Ingabire, 1M. Uwamahoro,
1A. Kayumba, and 1G. Nshimyimana
1Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB), Kigali, Rwanda
Northern Agriculture Zone Division (NAZD), PO. Box 73, Musanze, Rwanda
Introduction
Wheat productivity is still low in farmers’ fields. The major production
constraints are lack of appropriate varieties, low soil fertility, pests and
diseases, limited agricultural land due to high population pressure and
low farmers’ knowledge on post-harvest technology depending on end-
users needs. In spite of the research efforts in the past decade to develop Days to Flower Days to maturity
improved varieties, progress has been slow partly because varieties All the varieties All the varieties attained
released from imported germplasm do not possess the required baking flowered and matured maturity earlier at
qualities and many of them end up succumbing to diseases within a short
earlier at Gicumbi than Gicumbi – Kaniga than
period of their release.
At Kinigi. Musanze – Kinigi site.
Objectives
The objective was to assess the general yield characteristics of 3
imported varieties, and more importantly, to determine their reaction to
major diseases in Rwanda compared to the local check, EN 161.
Methodology
Plant Height Flag Leaf
Three wheat varieties: Nduna, Shine, and Shield, were imported
The cultivars at Kinigi All the varieties also
from Zambia Seed Company and tested at 2 sites in Rwanda namely, were less vigorous
Kinigi (high altitude, high rainfall, low temperature) and Gicumbi and shorter than at had longer flag leaves at
(high altitude, moderate rainfall, moderate temperature), during the Gicumbi. the Gicumbi site.
2011B season, starting from March to July. The local check was EN 161.
Data collection
Plant characteristics associated with yield (days to flowering, days to
maturity, plant height, spike length, number of spikelet on the main
spike, length of flag leaf, and grain yield) were assessed. Spike Length Spikelets per Spike
Disease reaction to stripe rust (Puccinia striiformis), stem rust The spikes of EN 161 The number of spikelets
(Puccinia graminis) and leaf spot (Helminthosporium spp) was compared were longer than the per spike was higher at
among the 3 varieties and EN 161.
spikes of the other Gicumbi than at Kinigi,
varieties at both sites. for all four varieties.
Disease assessment
At Gicumbi, all varieties were attacked by Helminthosporium. Nduna
showed no stripe or stem rust, but symptoms of stripe rust were observed Estimated grain yield
on Shield, while Shine showed susceptibility symptoms to stem rust. At EN 161 had higher yields
Kinigi, the check variety EN 161 was badly attacked by stripe rust. The than the 3 imported
three new varieties also progressively succumbed to this disease, with
varieties at both sites
Shield being the most seriously affected. Shine was attacked by
Helminthosporium, and towards grain filling all leaves were gone, and
the disease progressed to the ears. Conclusions and recommendations
The 3 varieties Nduna, Shine and Shield imported by
Discussion
Bakhresa from Zambia performed worse than EN
At Gichumbi, the check variety EN161 was clearly susceptible to stripe
161the check variety, in terms of grain yield and
rust. The variety Nduna was susceptible to Helminthosporium leaf spot
associated plant characteristics. They do not seem to
and was not recommended for further production. Shield was more
be resistant to the major diseases in the typical
tolerant to Helminthosporium but at Kinigi, it was seriously attacked by
wheat growing areas of Rwanda.
Stripe rust Shine on the other hand, showed mild symptoms of stem rust
and needed to be watched carefully. If symptoms of this rust persist and
point towards susceptibility in further trials, this variety will also be
withdrawn and replaced with a more resistant variety. Otherwise, For further information: Musabyisoni Aloys
without stem rust, the variety Shine looked the best. These observations Rwanda Agriculture Board (RAB)/ Kigali, Rwanda
were very similar to those made at Kinigi. Yield chatacteristics differed National Agriculture Zone Division (NAZD)
between varieties as shown in the graphs below. P.O Box 73, Musanze, Rwanda/ Phone: +250-788584613
E- mail: musabyisoni@gmail.com