Important milestones within the
five years of the project have been:-
Maize germplasm with
improved weevil resistance. Several inbred
lines and few broad-based populations with above-average resistance to
weevil have been identified. Four weevil resistance source
populations (two pairs of heterotically complementary populations)
have been formed and two have been evaluated in regional maize trials
(the other two will be included in 2003/04 trials). Collaborative
improvement of two of the populations is ongoing with scientists in
Kenya and Uganda, in addition to Zimbabwe. Combining ability of
weevil resistant lines is being assessed in yield trials in Kenya,
Uganda and Zimbabwe during 2003.
Information about and
methodologies to improve weevil resistance in maize.
Several publications in refereed journals (2 published and 2 in progress),
papers in professional conference proceedings (1 published and 1 in
progress), and technical reports have summarized findings from the
Weevil Project.
Trained scientists who
conducted thesis projects within the Weevil Project.
Six students have conducted their thesis projects within the
Weevil Project, and two others have worked very closely with the
Weevil Project for their theses. Graduates from the Weevil Project
are currently: 1) lecturing at Midlands University, Zimbabwe; 2)
studying toward Ph.D. in South Africa; 3) agricultural research
technician with ICRISAT, Zimbabwe; and 4) completing their studies.
Support to
regional post-harvest laboratories.
Technical support has been
provided to post-harvest laboratories (weevil and larger grain borer)
in Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe. The Weevil Project
in Zimbabwe has hosted visiting scientists from Uganda and Kenya.
Financial support for purchase of minor equipment and to conduct
research activities has been provided to laboratories in Uganda,
Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
