Consideraciones en la estructuracion de una red cooperativa internacional para la evaluacion de variedades promisorias de yuca

Experience acquired in the first regional trials in Colombia was used as a basis for the initial structuration of an international cooperative network to evaluate cassava cultivars. Each year, the cassava breeding section at CIAT would supply the agronomy section with 5 promising cultivars, which would then be multiplied (using the rapid propagation system) for one year and tested in regional trials the following year. Regional trials of the first promising hybrids are scheduled for 1977. Once these cultivars have been widely tested, field days will be organized so that farmers may select material they would like to use. A group of collaborators, preferably CIAT-trained, will be basic in the worldwide testing and disseminating of material and technology. Two strategies for evaluating cultivars were proposed: (1) give the same opportunities to one group of cultivars for 3 consecutive years without considering their field behavior (conservative approach), or (2) select the most promising material yearly to be tested in several sites before being designated as varieties. A diagram illustrates what could happen to a promising variety. (CIAT)