In a strategic effort to transform the breeding efforts for one of Africa’s most resilient yet underutilized legumes, IITA–CGIAR, through the Vision for Adaptable Crops and Soils (VACS) project, hosted a hands-on training workshop on artificial hybridization of Bambara groundnut. The five-day workshop, held earlier in the year at IITA’s Genetic Resources Centre (GRC) in Ibadan, Nigeria, brought together researchers and technicians from international and national institutions worldwide.
The workshop aims to address the challenge of artificial hybridization. Due to historically low success rates in hybridization, progress in breeding programs has been limited, thereby hindering the genetic improvement of the crop. This workshop, therefore, aimed to build the technical capacity of researchers and technicians in the precise and delicate process of hand-pollination, a foundational step for conventional breeding. Participants were equipped with both practical and theoretical knowledge necessary to hybridize Bambara groundnut effectively. Initial discussion sessions covered the reproductive biology of Bambara groundnut, flower structure, crossing toolkits, and the principles and significance of hybridization. The importance of accurate record-keeping and data validation was also emphasized, alongside lessons learned from previous challenges with hybridization.
Practical sessions took place in the glasshouse where participants practised hand-crossing on flowering Bambara groundnut plants. Each participant was provided with a toolkit containing tweezers, fine scissors, coloured wire threads, petri dishes, and ethanol—essential tools for emasculation and pollination. With guidance from facilitators, participants practiced removing anthers from the female parent and transferring pollen from the male flower to the stigma, learning how to identify successful crosses and label them correctly.
Facilitating the workshop were two experts in Bambara groundnut breeding, Professor Festo Massawe and Dr Presidor Kendabie. They shared personal experiences and insights gained through years of working with the crop. Dr Kendabie, in particular, emphasized that while hand pollination in Bambara groundnut may be difficult, success lies in precision and consistent practice. “Hand pollination in Bambara groundnut may seem difficult,” he said, “but with constant practising and intentional observation, the process becomes seamless.”
During the training, Dr Olaniyi Oyatomi highlighted the significance of abundant genetic resources, noting that IITA holds an extensive germplasm collection, which forms the foundation of any successful breeding initiative. “Abundant genetic resources are available for Bambara groundnut at IITA,” he said. “This is the bedrock of any successful breeding program.” Participants were taken on a visit to the IITA Genebank and the genetic resources growth room to appreciate this vital asset.
Dr Hapson Mushoriwa, IITA’s Head of Breeding, addressed the importance of this training within the broader scope of the IITA-VACS Bambara breeding initiative. He reminded participants that beyond mastering technique, they were expected to become champions of Bambara improvement in their own countries. “Go home and replicate this,” he said. “Teach others what you’ve learned and lead the movement to improve this crop.”
Dean Muungani, IITA Product Manager for Grain Crops, spoke on the importance of integrating the acquired skills into national research systems. He reassured participants that seeds, tools, and other materials required for hybridization would be made available through the appropriate legal frameworks, such as the Standard Material Transfer Agreements (SMTAs). “This is a pan-African movement,” he noted, “and you are the pioneers.”
Participants left the workshop with a new sense of confidence. “This workshop has erased from my mind the mindset that hand pollination in Bambara is difficult,” said Juma Mtwintwi, a researcher at Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute (TARI) – Naliendele. Dr Bhaskar Bajaru, a scientist at ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, expressed how the experience improved his handling of Bambara’s sensitive flowers. “It’s so easy to do now,” he said with excitement.
Aside from learning hybridization techniques, participants were introduced to the Enterprise Breeding System (EBS) for managing breeding programs and Bioflow software for data management, tools that will further enhance their capacity to conduct breeding research effectively.
This workshop is a crucial component of the broader IITA-VACS Bambara Groundnut breeding initiative. It was not just a training—it was the beginning of a shift in how Africa approaches the genetic improvement of one of its most resilient indigenous crops. To ensure long-term impact, the workshop concluded with the relaunch of the Bambara Breeding Network (BAMNET)—a platform designed to connect researchers, facilitate resource sharing, and support collaborative breeding programs across Africa, ultimately contributing to agricultural sustainability and food security in Africa.
Contributed by Ufuoma Akpojotor, Dean Muungani, Oyatomi Olaniyi and Hapson Mushoriwa
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