CRP 1.1 was presented at the 4th Fund Council Meeting in April 2011. CRP1.1 targets the poor and highly vulnerable populations of the dry areas. It aims to develop technology, policy and institutional innovations to improve livelihoods, using an integrated systems approach. The program focuses on four strategic research themes (SRTs ) which cut across five focus regions. This CRP was approved with conditions at the meeting and subsequently received unconditional approval of inception phase & conditional approval of overall program & budget on Nov. 9, 2011.

Efforts to develop cassava technology for the vast areas of acid infertile soils were continued Large-scale germplasm screening in the field was begun in Carimagua for tolerance to low levels of P and acidity and in Quilichao, for tolerance to low levels of P. Various fertilizer trials were used to determine: (a) nutrient absorption and distribution within the plant during a 12-mo.

Efforts to develop cassava technology for the vast areas of acid infertile soils were continued Large-scale germplasm screening in the field was begun in Carimagua for tolerance to low levels of P and acidity and in Quilichao, for tolerance to low levels of P. Various fertilizer trials were used to determine: (a) nutrient absorption and distribution within the plant during a 12-mo.

Research of the physiology section was centered on identifying the characters associated with high root yields and quality in cassava under stress conditions. Plant reaction to water stress was studied, specifically regarding growth and yields of var. M Mex 59 and M Col 22 with a period of artificial rain exclusion. Observations were made throughout the stress period and subsequent recovery. Water stress reduced LAI notably although M Mex 59 maintained a LAI approx. twice that of M Col 22 during the stress period. LAI for both var.

Research of the physiology section was centered on identifying the characters associated with high root yields and quality in cassava under stress conditions. Plant reaction to water stress was studied, specifically regarding growth and yields of var. M Mex 59 and M Col 22 with a period of artificial rain exclusion. Observations were made throughout the stress period and subsequent recovery. Water stress reduced LAI notably although M Mex 59 maintained a LAI approx. twice that of M Col 22 during the stress period. LAI for both var.