The Cashew Biotechnology Unit (CBU)
The Cashew Biotechnology Unit (CBU) was established in 2000 and is based at Mikocheni
Agricultural Research Institute (MARI) where the national agricultural biotechnology
laboratories are located. The Cashew Research Programme (CRP) recognizes biotechnology as
essential tool for effective development of new research technologies and products. Although
biotechnology has provided solutions to many crops, there are, however, some economically
important crops such as cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) where little attention has been
given to cultivar improvement through modern plant improvement technologies. Cashew
Biotechnology Unit bridges this gap by developing advanced biotechnology innovations for
benefitting the under-researched crops such as cashew. Its main aim is to integrate the
biotechnologies of tissue culture and molecular biology so as to generate appropriate solutions to
cashewnut genetic improvement.
Current research activities
The CBU research involves molecular markers and tissue culture. The main research activities of
the unit can be summarised as follows:
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Develop rapid and cost effective tissue culture and micropropagation techniques for mass
propagation and dissemination of cashew clones
Study the quantitative traits of cashew germplasm and their potential impacts using
molecular markers
Identify valuable genes and develop good quality cashew varieties using molecular
marker assisted breeding
Develop molecular markers to enhance identification, characterisation, evaluation and
conservation of economically important cashew genetic resources.
Assist integration of biotechnology into research activities of other departments of ARINaliendele
In terms of research collaboration, the CBU is collaborating with University of Dar es Salaam
(UDSM), Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), University of Dodoma (UDOM) ARI
Mlingano and Horti Tengeru. At regional level the CBU is collaborating Kenya Agricultural
Research Institute (KARI), while at international level it has collaborative linkages with Reading
University UK, and Aberystwyth University, UK
CURRICULUM VITAE: Dr EMMAROLD E MNENEY
1.0 PERSONAL INFORMATION
Name
Dr Emmarold E Mneney
Nationality Contacts
Tanzanian
ARI-Mikocheni, P o Box 6226, Dar Es Salaam
Tel +255 22 2775663, Mobile +255 754 387662
Fax +255 22 2775549, 2700090
E-mail emneney@yahoo.com; emneney@gmail.com
2.0 EDUCATIONAL HISTORY
PhD (Biotechnology)
MSc (Tropical Horticulture)
BSc (Agriculture)
University of London, Wye College, UK. ( 1995- 1998)
University of Reading, Reading, UK ( 1992- 1993)
Sokoine University of Agric (SUA), Tanzania 1985 – 1987
3.0 WORK EXPERIENCE
1998 - To date
1987 – 1995
1977 – 1987
Cashew Biotechnology Unit head, Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute
Part time lecturer, Agricultural Biotechnology, University of Dar Es Salaam.
Planting Material Production Unit head, Cashew and Coconut Tree Crops
Project
District Agricultural Development Officer: Ministry of Agriculture, Dar-Es
Salaam
4.0 RESEARCH WORK
Dr Mneney is a Principal Research Officer and head of Cashew Biotechnology Unit (CBU)
based at Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute (MARI), Tanzania. He has a long standing
research interest in the field of agricultural biotechnology. His current research interests are
tissue culture; molecular breeding and diversity studies for genetic improvement and
conservation of various crops including cashew, sweet potaoes, sorghum, maize, cassava, banana
and tomato. He also has experience in technology transfer technologies and biosafety. Dr
Mneney has worked on several collaborative programs and his current research projects include:
(i) Delivering New Sorghum and Finger Millet Innovations for Food Security and Improving
Livelihoods in Eastern Africa (funded by BIOINNOVATE/SIDA), (ii) The potential of
Gracilaria seaweed farming as an alternative cheap source of agar for tissue culture of
vegetatively propagated crops in Tanzania (funded by INFAST)), (iii) Genotypic and phenotypic
and evaluation of sorghum collections from Tanzania (funded by GCDT), (iv) Genetic
transformation of maize addressing drought stress tolerance in ECA (funded by ASARECA), (v)
Genetic, physiological, and molecular approaches to improve heat and drought tolerance in
tropical tomato (funded by GTZ). (vi) Optimizing tissue culture protocols for cassava and sweet
potato varieties using low cost high quality tissue culture system, (Funded by ASARECA).
5.0 RELEVANT CONSULTANCIES
a) Situational analysis on tissue culture applications in the Eastern and Central African region.
A consultancy of ASARECA, Entebbe, Uganda, 2009.
b) Preparation of A Guide to Biosafety Risk assessment and Management. June 2008. Shortterm consultancy for GEF/UNEP project, 50 Pgs
c) Development of Practical manual for safe conduct of field research with Genetically
Engineered Crops. June 2008. Short-term consultancy for GEF/UNEP project, 42 Pgs
d) Preparation of A guide to safe conduct of Contained trials. Feb 2009. Short-term
consultancy for GEF/UNEP project, 40 Pgs
e) Development of the National Biosafety Regulations for Tanzania. Jan 2004. A member of the
drafting team. Short-term consultancy for GEF/UNEP project, Division of Environment Vice
Presidents office, Tanzania. The National Biosafety regulations for Tanzania, 45 pgs.
f) Development of the National Biosafety Guidelines for Tanzania. Nov 2003. A member of the
drafting team. Short-term consultancy for GEF/UNEP project, Division of Environment Vice
Presidents office, Tanzania. The National Biosafety Guidelines for Tanzania. 93 pgs.
g) National Consultant for UNIDO Meristematic Tissue Culture project on sisal and henequen
(UNIDO/FC/RAF/96/001/SUB A5) 1999-2003
h) Feasibility study on establishment of biotechnology laboratory at the SADC Plant Genetic
Resources Centre (SPGRC). A Consultancy for SADC Plant Genetic Resource Centre
(SPGRC) Lusaka Zambia, 2003.
6.0 SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Mneney, E., R. Sallu, M. Seth, F. Luka, Z. Mchomvu, S. Chalamila and A. Kullaya (2006). Molecular
marker-based characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera L) germplasm in Tanzania. Paper presented
at the First COSTECH Scientific Workshop. Golden Tulip Hotel, DSM, Tanzania, 24-26th May, 2006
Mneney, E. E., Mantell, S. H., Tsoktouridis, G., Amin, S., Bessa, A. M. S. and Thangavelu, M. (1998).
RAPD-Profiling of Tanzania cashew. In: Proceedings of the International Cashew and Coconut
Conference, Dar es Salaam. BioHybrids International Ltd. Reading, UK. 108-16.
Mneney, E. E., Mantell, S. H and Mark, B. (2001). Use of random amplified polymorphic DNA
(RAPD) markers to reveal genetic diversity within and between populations of cashew (Anacardium
occidentale L). Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 76 (4): 375-383.
Mneney, E. E. and Mantell, S. H (2001). In vitro micrografting of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L ).
Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ culture 66(1): 49-58.
Mneney, E. E. and Mantell, S. H (2002). Clonal propagation of cashew (Anacardium occidentale. L)
by tissue culture. Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology 77(6):649-657.
Mneney, E E (2003). Status of Biotechnology applications in Tanzania. In Proceeding of the
National Biotechnology Stakeholders Analysis workshop held at Paradise Hotel, Bagamoyo,
Tanzania, 13 - 14th June, 2003, pp 45-63
Mneney, E., R. Sallu, M. Seth, F. Luka, Z. Mchomvu, S. Chalamila and A. Kullaya (2006). Molecular
marker-based characterization of coconut (Cocos nucifera L) germplasm in Tanzania. Paper presented
at the First COSTECH Scientific Workshop. Golden Tulip Hotel, DSM, Tanzania, 24-26th May, 2006
Masumbuko L Bryngelsson, T Mneney, E and Salomon, B (2003) Genetic diversity in Tanzanian
Arabica coffee using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) markers. Hereditas 139 (1), 56-63.
Mello, D and Mneney, E. E. (2004). Agricultural Biotechnology Research Partnerships in Tanzania.
UNU-INTECH- Technology policy briefs 3 (1), 8-10.
Namkinga, L.A, Matee, M. I. N, Kivaisi, A.K. Kullaya, A and, E. E Mneney (2005). Identification of
candida strains isolated from Tanzanian pregnant women with vaginal candidiasis. East African
Medical Journal 82 (5): 226-234.
Madege, R. R., R. N. Misangu, A. P. Maerere and E. E. Mneney (2008) Evaluation of selected crop
starches as cheap alternative gelling agents for micropropagation of Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.)
Lam.) (Submitted to BioEARN/Vicres Scientific Conference to held in Entebbe, Uganda on 24-26th
November, 2008)
Tairo, F., Mneney, E E and Kullaya, A. (2008). Morphological and Agronomical characterization of
Sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.] germplasm collection from Tanzania. African Journal of
Plant Science, 2 (8) 077-085
Ringo, J.H; E.E Mneney; A.O. Onkware; B.A. Were; E.J. Too; J. O. Owuoche and S. O. Gudu (2009).
Genetic Variation for Tolerance to Aluminium Toxicity among Tanzanian Sorghum Germplasm; Paper
presented in the 5th Annual International Conference on “Research and Knowledge Dissemination
towards building Health and Socioeconomically stable Nations Production” held at Moi University,
Kenya: 4th to 8th August 2009
Ringo J.H; E. E Mneney; B.A. Were; E.J. Too; A.O. Onkware; and S. O. Gudu (2008). Breeding
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) for adaptation to low soil pH in Tanzania; A paper presented
in the workshop on “Crop Production In Acid Soil” held at Sirikwa Hotel, Eldoret, Kenya: June/July
2008
7.0 REFEREES:
Dr. Kullaya Alois
ARI-Mikocheni
Dr Sinclair H. Mantell,
Emeritus professor of plant propagation sciences,
P o Box 6226, Dar Es Salaam
Tel
255 22 2799552
Mobile 255 754 372846
Fax
255 22 2775549
E-mail akullaya@yahoo.co.uk.
University of London,
Nakhlatec International Horticulture Advisors,
Abrahamsäng, 370 45 Fågelmara, Sweden.
Tel: +46 455 368048; Fax: +46 455 368046
Mobile: +46 733 368038
sinclair.mantell@nakhlatec.se