Abstract

 

A project was started in Tanzania in the 2004 crop season to breed for high yielding open pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrid varieties with resistance to gray leaf spot (Cercospora zeae  maydis), northern leaf blight (Exerohilum turcicum) and other major diseases like maize streak virus (MSV) and common rust (Puccinia sorghi). These diseases cause significant yield losses ranging from 10- 60% of the total maize produced in the country. Although gray leaf spot (GLS) is quite erratic, there is no known resistance to it in the OPVs grown commercially in Tanzania. The project also evaluates and makes selections for other attributes such as farmer preferred grain colour, grain type, early maturity, plant vigour and wide adaptability. Best performing inbred lines among the 2004 tested material were used during the 2005 season to make crosses with six selected testers. This year, 111 varieties and inbred lines from CIMMYT Harare, and 50 landraces from Tanzania were used for evaluations in the southern highlands at Uyole and Njombe and in Arumeru district in Arusha at Madira and the Arusha Foundation Seed Farm. The trials were arranged in alpha design and analyzed using MSTAT statistical package. Out of the materials tested, about 30 varieties, inbred lines and landraces appeared superior in one or more of the attributes evaluated and will be used for making more crosses or advancing in the coming season.