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PI:
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Patricia Ngwira (Patrick
Khonje)
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Grantee:
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Chitedze Research Station
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Amount:
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US $169,565
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Duration:
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Three Years
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Contact:
Mr. Patrick Khonje,
Ministry of Agriculture,
Chitedze Research Station
P. O. Box 158
, Lilongwe, Malawi
Phone: +265 (707) 020 /931252
Fax: +265 (707) 019 /788 801
Email direct:
maizeagronomy@MALAWI.NET
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Achievements in Maize Pathology
Research
In line with the
goals and objectives of Maize Pathology Program; and in a bid to
increase maize productivity in Malawi, the Maize pathology project,
largely benefiting from funds provided by the Rockefeller Foundation,
released 3 new maize varieties that combine disease resistance with hard
endosperm (flint and poundability) and high yields. The three varieties
namely: Chitedze 8, 4, and 3 (CZR 8, CZR4 and CZR3) were released by the
Agricultural Technology Clearing Committee ATCC, in November 2002, after
four years of research/evaluation. It is the first time Malawi has
produced varieties combining three farmer preferred traits.
Characteristically, the varieties are of medium maturity (130-133 days),
flint hybrids that are white in colour, and adapted to a wide ecological
niche i.e. low, medium and high altitude ecologies. In addition, the
varieties have good husk cover, good lodging resistance, are medium in
height and high flour output, compared with the popularly grown MH 18
variety. For example CZR 8 (Plate 1) has a potential yield of
10000kg/ha followed by CZR 4 and CZR 3 with 7000kg/ha and 9000kg/ha
respectively.
The maize pathology research team has
released circulars on how to control maize diseases such as gray leaf
spot. The major thrust that has been put in place to enhance technology
transfer and utilization, and improve linkage among stakeholders, is the
formation of Technology Transfer Committee (T.T.C.s) that organizes
special field days for the farmers, school children, and other
stakeholders.
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