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Issues

The citrus and yam value chains in Guadeloupe are threatened by a range of constraints. Citrus production is particularly affected by Huanglongbing disease (or HLB), while the yam value chain suffers from poor productivity and subsequently poor competitiveness in relation to other producing countries, which favours imports. These factors cause public health issues relating to insufficient fresh fruit and vegetable consumption. In this context, the partners in the CAVALBIO project set out to create new varieties for these two cultivated genera (varieties for consumption, and rootstocks in the case of citrus), more tolerant of or resistant to the main local constraints, in order to revitalize these value chains.

Description

CAVALBIO is working to develop sustainable citrus and yam value chains in Guadeloupe, by focusing on disease tolerance/resistance, adaptation to low-input production systems, product quality, and extending production periods. Genetic improvement operations centre on using the biodiversity of cultivated species and their nearest relatives. To this end, various parents have been crossed. The resulting selected hybrids often have more than two sets of chromosomes (polyploidy), since this generally ensures better tolerance of various types of stress. High-resolution genetic maps and collections of genetic markers have been built for the parents concerned. Using these resources, the recombination of genetic characters within the populations of progenies can be retraced precisely, to select the best genotypes in terms of adaptation and production. The structures and mechanisms responsible for the elaboration of worthwhile characters, on a cell and tissue level, and the effect of polyploidy on those characters are also being studied.

The CAVALBIO project is assessing requirements in terms of quality plants and farmers’ preferences for different varietal characters, and predicting the potential economic impact by modelling. It is positioned upstream of the participatory breeding operations being done by the RITA network, to ensure rapid transfer of innovations to farmers.

Expected impacts

• A revival of citrus production in Guadeloupe despite the ongoing presence of HLB, thanks to a range of varieties and rootstocks more tolerant of local environmental constraints and more environmentally friendly cropping practices.
• A more competitive yam value chain in Guadeloupe, thanks to a wider range of productive yam varieties suited to local conditions, while remaining environmentally friendly (low-input cropping).
• Increased consumption of local citrus fruits and yams, with a longer season to supply local markets.