seed
PAN-AFRICAN SOYBEAN VARIETY TRIALS
(pat)
SIL’s Pan-African Soybean Variety Trials (PAT) fast-track the introduction and testing of commercial soybean varieties sourced from across Africa, the U.S., Australia, and Latin America to provide the private sector, farmers, and processors with access to a broader selection of seed than what is currently available. The program consortium leverages its role as an independent third party and its unique access to international, regional, and national supplies of high-yielding and disease resistant germplasm to swiftly bring new varieties to market.
Starting in just 4 countries in 2016, the Pan-African Trials (PAT) have grown to 24 countries across 113 locations with 56 public-sector and 66 private-sector partners. Testing is taking place in 149 locations involving 24,437 plots. The PATs have already been successful in bringing 15 new soybean varieties to market in Ghana, Mali, Kenya, Cameroon, and Malawi.
the pat team
Dr. Brian Diers
bdiers@illinois.edu
Principal Investigator
Pan-African Soybean Variety Trial Program
g.chigeza@cgiar.org
Soybean Breeder
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture
Pan-African Soybean Variety Trial Program
Dr. Godfree Chigeza
Tim Jonhson
Commercialization Advisor
Pan-African Soybean Variety Trial Program
Dean Muungani
Product Manager
International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)
Armand Yambisa
Research Associate Intern
Pan-African Soybean Variety Trial Program
breeding
Through direct and deep mentorship SIL researchers mobilize the critical trainings, equipment, infrastructure, mechanization, and standards of practice to transform partner soybean breeding programs into sustainable units that can successfully support the region’s varietal improvement needs.
SIL efforts have introduced new, high-yielding and disease resistant soybean varieties. Since 2013, the experimental lines developed by SIL’s breeding partners in Ethiopia, Ghana, and Zambia increased 1069%, yield plots planted increased 258%, and progeny rows planted increased 1069%. Partner breeding programs also achieved a 675% increase in successful crosses and a 223% increase in breeder productivity.
number of experimental lines planted
The Breeding team
