Identification of genes associated with Striga resistance is invaluable for accelerating genetic gains in breeding for Striga resistance in maize. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genomic regions associated with grain yield and other agronomic traits under artificial Striga field infestation. One hundred and forty-one extra-early quality protein maize (QPM) inbred lines were phenotyped for key agronomic traits. The inbred lines were also genotyped using 49,185 DArTseq markers from which 8,143 were retained for population structure analysis and Genome Wide-Association Study (GWAS). Cluster analysis and population structure revealed the presence three well defined genetic groups. Using the mixed linear model, twenty-two SNP markers were identified to be significantly associated with grain yield, Striga damage at 10 weeks after planting (WAP), number of emerged Striga plants at 8 and 10 WAP and ear aspect. The identified SNP markers would be useful for breeders for marker-assisted selection (MAS) to accelerate genetic enhancement of maize for Striga resistance in sub-Saharan Africa after validation.

<p>Soybean [<em>Glycine max</em> (L.) Merr.] responded differently to storage stress factors. This research work aimed at assessing genetic potentials of fifteen soybean varieties to storage stress via accelerated aging technique and grouping them based on their levels of tolerance to storage stress using simple sequence repeat (SSR). Tolerance of the seed of 15 soybean varieties to storage stress was assessed by subjecting them to accelerated aging for 0, 6, 12, and 24 hours at 42 °C temperature and 100 % relative humidity (RH), after which their quality was assessed to determine their tolerance to storage stress. Same varieties were also stored for 6 months under ambient environment at 65 ± 5 % R.H and 25 ± 2 °C and they were genotyped with 19 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. The varieties were grouped on the basis of their levels of tolerance to storage stress. The principal components analysis (PCA) showed that germination rate index (GRI) and germination index (GI) were the major indices responsible for the significant variation in the seedling vigor characters. TGX1835-10E and TGX1448-2E were identified as varieties with good storage ability and therefore recommended for storage improvement in soybean breeding programs. Six SSR markers (Satt 565, Satt 175, Satt 281, Satt 600, Satt 160 and Satt 281) were identified as candidate markers for detection of alleles for tolerance to storage stress.</p>