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Research
Abstract: Experiences with
on-farm testing in maize variety evaluation in Uganda
G. Bigirwa, J. Kikafunda, J. Imanywoha,
P. Kibwika, S. Mugo,
M. Siambi, D. Beck &
A.O. Diallo
High
seed prices and the unavailability of improved seed are major reasons why
farmers continue to grow local and unimproved maize varieties. To overcome
this problem, farmers were involved in grouping and evaluating improved
maize varieties using the mother-baby trial methodology to identify
varieties of their choice and later allow them to begin producing their
own seed of improved, open pollinated varieties. Farmers seeking hybrid
varieties were directed to the companies producing seed of selected
varieties. Activities entailed testing sets of improved varieties and
hybrids under optimal and sub-optimal fertilizer conditions in mother
trials and under farmer conditions in baby trials for three cropping
seasons in two maize growing
districts of Uganda. The varieties were commercial cultivars and elite
experimental maize in the advance stages of testing. Four open pollinated
varieties, SADVILA, Longe 1, Longe 4, and SADVEB consistently performed
well across fertility levels, locations and seasons. Hybrids SC 715, SC
627, and Longe 2H were identified as suitable for growing by farmers and
researchers. The criteria for choice of varieties by farmers at green
maturity were cob size, cob filling time-to-maturity, at harvest, it was
grain size, cob filling and cob size. This paper will present results from
variety performance including farmer evaluations from the mother-baby
trials.
Abstract
extracted from the 'Biotechnology, Breeding and Seed Systems for African
Crops: Research and Product Development that Reaches Farmers. Program,
Participants and Abstracts'. The Rockefeller Foundation, Nairobi.
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