From 23 to 25 October 2019, a delegation from the Laboratory of Genetics, Horticulture and Seed Science was in Ghana in the framework of the launching conference of African Plant Breeders Association. This conference was held at the University of Ghana, in the auditorium of the Economics Department, under the theme‘’Advances in classical breeding and application of modern breeding tools for food and nutrition security in Africa’’. For three days, plant breeders from various backgrounds shared their experiences, challenges and perspectives related to food security in Africa on one hand and laid the foundations of the African Plant Breeders Association (APBA) on the other. According to Prof. Eric Danquah, Interim President of the Association, APBA is mainly about conversations to empower the Nextgen African plant breeders to become game changers and history makers in our lifetime so we see the fruits of our labour – An Africa without Aid. To help achieve this goal, scientist from GBioS took part in the exchanges in various ways. There were oral presentations given by Félicien Akohoué on « Genetic diversity, SNP-trait associations and genomic selection accuracy in a West African collection of kersting’s groundnut [Macrotyloma geocarpum (harms) Maréchal & Baudet] ». The PhD students Dèdéou Tchokponhoué and Olga Sogbohossou also shared some of the results of their research respectively on « Evidence of Recalcitrance in the Miracle Berry [Syncespalum Dulcificum (Schumach & Thonn.) Daniell] » and « Omics-assisted breeding for nutritional value in the orphan ». vegetable spider plant [Gynandropsis gynandra L. (Briq)]. These presentations were supported by poster presentations, including that of Rabiath Adigoun who highlighted orphan crop genetic resources management in the gene bank of the laboratory. See more about the event here
GBioS
Laboratory of Genetics, Horticulture and Seed Sciences
