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Imidazolinone-resistant (IR) maize contains a natural form of herbicide
resistance which was originally found in a mutant. The seed of IR maize
can be treated (seed-coated) with Imidazolinone to provide an effective
protection against Striga, a parasitic weed which attaches to
maize roots and results in severe yield reduction. IR maize restores
maize production under Striga-infested conditions to normal
levels and also depletes the Striga seed bank in the soil. IR
maize can also be grown in non-Striga affected areas, like any
other maize cultivar.
Deployment of the Imidazolinone
resistance trait and seed dressing needs to be done in a responsible
manner to assure the effectiveness and durability of the technology, to
the benefit of seed producers, farmers and the environment. Unless such
measures are taken, seed may be improperly treated and the crop fail,
Striga may develop resistance against the herbicide, the seed
company may contaminate other seed stocks with the herbicide, or
farmers’ may improperly use the technology and incur crop losses.
To ensure responsible deployment, CIMMYT entered into an agreement with
the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) and BASF for
deployment of IR maize hybrids and varieties under the trade name “StrigAway®”.
This partnership will provide the necessary know-how and rights to
deploy the technology in an appropriate manner. The partnership will
also continue to raise awareness about the technology in Sub-Saharan
Africa, so that seed labeled as StrigAway ® will be recognized as seed
that provides effective control against Striga.
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