Acha Research Program is one of the Technical programs under the Research Operation department of the institute. The program is charged with the responsibility of the genetic improvement, production of breeder’s seeds , processing and utilization technologies of acha
Acha research work in Nigeria started in 1995 at the headquarters of NCRI in Badeggi. The initial focus was on the germplasm collection in the acha growing ecologies around the country. The germplasm collected were first evaluated in 1996/97. Later, Acha research station was established in Riyom, Plateau state, and in 2014 a centre for acha experiments was also established in Imane, OLamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi state.
Acha (Digitaria spp.) has two cultivated species (D. exilis and D. iburua) and considered as a minor crop compared to rice, corn, millet and sorghum. However, it is a very important crop for human diets because of the high methionine and cysteine content in the grains. It also has a very low glycemic index and considered a staple food for millions of people in West Africa.
NCRI currently has the largest collection of Achagermplasm in the country. Two improved varieties has been registered and released in Nigeria to farmers.
Maturing period are considered as follows
Extra – early growth cycle 70 – 90 days
Early maturing 90 – 110 days
Intermediate maturing 110 – 130 days
Late maturing 130 days and above
Seed sowing is recommended for onset of the rains. Manual broadcast or drilling at 30cm inter row spacing at 25 – 30kg/ha is recommended.
Fertilizer application of 30kg Urea and 30kg/ha NPK 15: 15: 15 in two splits doses at 4 and 8 weeks after planting is recommended for best yield. Pest and diseases are not serious problems in acha field. However, army worm attack can be treated with vetox 85 at the rate of 1.85kg in 220 litres of water. Curvilaria brown leaf spot attacks the crop during tillering stage, this can be treated by spraying with Mancozep of fungoforce at 2.5kg per hectare in 800 – 1000 litres of water.
For maximum yield, the best time for harvesting is one week after physiological maturity.
Though Acha is an upland species, grown mostly around the Guinea and Sudan savannah belt, but it can as well be cultivated in all the ecologies of the country.
The first Acha varieties registered and released in Nigeria in 2021.
| Attributes | ||
|
NCRIACH 1 |
Specie | Digiteria iburua |
| Days to Maturity | 128 – 135 days | |
| Potential Yield | 1.322 t/ha | |
| Ecological Adaptation | Savanna Ecologies | |
| Seed Source | NCRI | |
| Outstanding features | High yielding, tolerance to lodging, resistance to leaf minner, leaf sport and leaf blast
Low seed shattering
|
|
| Crude Protein content | 11.91% | |
| Reaction to Disease | Resistant | |
|
NCRIACH 2 |
Specie | Digiteria exilis |
| Days to Maturity | 130 – 140 days | |
| Potential Yield (kg/ha) | 781.3kg | |
| Ecological Adaptation | Savanna Ecologies | |
| Seed Source | NCRI | |
| Outstanding features | High yielding tolerance to lodging, resistance to leaf strake, leaf blast, leaf sport.
|
|
| Crude Protein content | 12.69% | |
| Reaction to Disease | Resistant | |
Other Technologies Generated
- Optimizing and Development of drilling method as acha sowing method. For higher yield, better seed germination, easy weed control and optimum yield per hectare.
- Development of weeding regimes for acha. For better crop establishment, growth and to reduce the drudgery of weed control.
- Selection Evaluation of some promising accessions for release to farmers.
- Seed dressing with fungicide (Mancozep). This is to reduce the incidence of Curvularia leaf spot on Digitaria iburua Kippis Stapf.
- Development of indirect seeding method for both D. exilis and D. iburua for Improvement in field management and increase in yield
- Development and Selection of Pure lines Populations for both D. exilis and D. iburua
- Development of Early Maturing D. ibrua and D. exilis Mutant population
- Germplasm exploration, collection and documentation of cultivated D. iburua and D. exilis in all ecologies of Nigeria
- Survey and documentation of Acha Biotic and Abiotic stresses in cultivated ecologies of Northern Nigeria
- Survey and documentation of Socio economic status of farmers, Yield regime, geographic and ecological conditions of acha growing
- Development of beneficial acha intercrop combination with other cereals (Maize, Rice)
- Development of Acha fertilizer Requirement and recommendations for major growing ecologies