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Maize streak
resistant hybrid, MU03-022, bred in Kenya showing stability in yields |
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MU03-022
yields are high and stable in absence (above) or presence (below) of
maize streak virus disease |
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Public Breeding Produces New Maize Varieties for Kenyan Farmers
By Jane Ininda, Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute, email:
jininda@mx.todaysonline.com
---------------------------
Scientists working within the
Maize Breeders Network (MBNET) and based at Kenya Agricultural Research
Institute have been undertaking plant breeding with the goal of improving
farmers’ livelihoods through development and deployment of improved maize
varieties. Every year public and private breeders in Kenya evaluate new crop
varieties in National Performance trials conducted in diverse maize growing
ecologies of Kenya for adaptation. During a recently convened National
Performance Trial meeting in Nairobi, Kenya (November, 2006), ten (10) improved
maize varieties bred by Kenya Agricultural Research Institute were recommended
for pre-release or full release (see below for
characteristics of each maize variety). This paves way for the process of
commercialization and delivery of new technology (new varieties) to farmers by
the development organizations and the private sector. The varieties released
include
-
Four
Open Pollinated Varieties (OPVs) were recommended for release in the Dryland
areas of Kenya (1200 masl)
-
Two
High Yielding Maize Streak Virus resistant Hybrids were recommended for
pre-release in the Mid -Altitude areas (1600-1800 masl) of Kenya
-
One
Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) with stem borer resistance was released for the
Mid- Altitude areas of Kenya (1600-1800 masl)
-
One
Hybrid was pre-released for the High Altitude areas of Kenya (1800-2200 masl)
-
One
Open Pollinated Variety (OPV) for frost prone areas of Kenya (>2400 masl)
The
varieties produce higher yields than those currently grown by farmers, are
tolerant to drought and also resistant to maize streak virus disease, stem borer
damage, and turcicum leaf blight and gray leaf spot. The varieties are
available for commercialization in dryland, mid-altitude and highland ecologies
of Kenya. Read the full story at
http://www.africancrops.net/news/dec06/ininda.htm. The complete description
of the Maize Breeders Network (MBNET) is available at
http://www.africancrops.net/maizenetwork/index.htm.
Comments
about this news article can posted and shared through the Maize Forum of the
African Crops Message and Discussion Board or by email to:
jininda@mx.todaysonline.com.
Characteristics of
maize
varieties
pre-released and
released by
KARI, November 2006
|
Variety Code/Name |
Maturity/Ecology |
Special
Attributes and
Characteristics |
Breeder/email/address |
|
MU03-022 |
Medium/Mid-Altitude
(1600-1800 MASL) |
Three-Way Cross Hybrid
Resistant to maize
streak virus disease (MSV SCORE = 2.0)
High yield - 27% more
than mean of hybrid checks
Grain characteristics:
flint like to intermediate
|
Dr. Jane Ininda
Email: jininda@todays.co.ke |
|
MU03-036 |
Medium/Mid-Altitude
-Moist Transitional (1600-2000 MASL) |
Three –Way Cross Hybrid
Resistant to maize
streak virus disease (MSV SCORE = 2.0)
High yield and Biomass
- 14% more than the mean of the hybrid checks
Grain characteristics:
flint like to intermediate
|
Dr. Jane Ininda
Email: jininda@todays.co.ke |
|
EH05272 |
Late/Highlands
(1800-2200 MASL) |
Variety Cross Hybrid
Resistant to Turcicum
leaf blight and gray leaf spot
High yield - 7% more
than the hybrid checks
|
Dr. Geroge Omakho
Email: irmaktl@africaonline.co.ke |
|
EV04271
|
Late/Highlands
(>2400MASL) |
Open Pollinated Variety
Cold highlands, frost
area; yields 7-8 tons per ha
|
Dr. Geroge Omakho
Email: irmaktl@africaonline.co.ke |
|
EV04272 |
Moist Transitional
(1800-2000 MASL) |
Open pollinated variety
Moist transitional
areas of Kenya |
Dr. Geroge Ombakho
Email: irmaktl@africaonline.co.ke |
|
KAT2005-1 |
Dryland Areas
(1200-1600 MASL) |
Open pollinated variety
Drought tolerant
|
Mr. Wilson Muasya
karikat@wananchi.com |
|
KAT2005-2 |
Dryland Areas
(1200-1600 MASL) |
Open pollinated variety
Drought tolerant |
Mr. Wilson Muasya
Email: karikat@wananchi.com |
|
CKIR04-002 |
Dryland Areas
(1200-1600 MASL) |
Open pollinated variety
Drought tolerant |
Mr. Wilson Muasya
Email: karikat@wananchi.com |
|
CKIR04-003 |
Dryland Areas
(1200-1600 MASL) |
Open pollinated variety
Drought tolerant |
Mr. Wilson Muasya
Email karikat@wananchi.com |
|
EMB214 |
Medium/Mid-Altitude
Areas (1400-1600 MASL) |
Open Pollinated Variety
- Embu Synthetic
Tolerant to stem borers
(Chilo Partellus)
Mean yield same as that
of check open pollinated variety checks |
Dr. Charles Mutinda
Email: kariembu@salpha.co.ke |
Comments about this news article can posted and shared through the Maize Forum
of the
African Crops Message and Discussion Board or by email to:
jininda@mx.todaysonline.com and
africancrops@wananchi.com.
Disclaimer:
This document is produced for the sole role of sharing useful information that
can only be used for academic and development purposes only. We make no
warranty, express or implied, of its completeness and therefore assume no legal
liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, reliability or
usefulness of any information or process disclosed.
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