Selection and development of cassava variety KM 140

Tran Cong Khanh (1), Hoang Kim (2), Vo Van Tuan (1),Nguyen Huu Hy (1), Pham Van Bien (1), Dao Huy Chien (3), Reinhardt Howeler(4) and Hernan Ceballos (4)

1. Institute of Agricultural Sciences for Southern Vietnam -IAS http://www.iasvn.org
2. Nong Lam University -NLU http://www.hcmuaf.edu.vn
3. Vietnamese Academy of Agricultural Sciences -VAAS http://www.vaas.org.vn/
4. International Center for Tropical Agriculture - CIAT http://www.ciat.cgiar.org

ABSTRACT
In Vietnam, cassava has rapidly changed its role from a food crop to industrials crop, with a high rate of growth during the first years of the 21st Century. There are now 62 cassava processing factories with a total processing capacity of 8.0 million tones of fresh roots/year. Total cassava starch production in Vietnam was about 1.2 million tonnes, of which 70% was exported and 30% used domestically. The main objectives of cassava breeding in Vietnam is improve root yield and starch content and enhance early harvestability to spread the time of harvest. Cassava variety KM140 is a hybrid selected from KM98-1 x KM36 cross by Hung Loc Agricultural Research Center (HARC) in 1997. KM140 was widely tested, demonstrated and selected by most members of Viet Nam Cassava Research and Extension Network (VNCP) and cassava growers. In 2009, more than 30,000 ha of KM140 were planted in Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, Binh Phuoc, Gia Lai, Binh Dinh…. KM140 is a short growth duration variety (best harvesting time 7-10 months after planting) with fresh root yield 34.0 ton/ha (tantamount and higher than KM94), starch content 26.1-28.5% and starch yield about 9.45 ton/ha for 8-10 months after planting, HCN content about 105.9 mg/kg of root dry matter, good root shape with white flesh, high adaptability to various production conditions. KM140 is a supplementary variety for main variety KM94 in order to extend harvesting time.

Key words: cassava breeding; KM140 cassava variety

Source: Selection and development of hybrid cassava variety KM 140

Selection and Development of hybrid cassava variety KM140 (Golden of VIFOTEC Award 2009)