Breeding Research

Particular emphasis on generating high yielding varieties and especially hybrids that tolerate drought conditions, maize streak virus, and low soil fertility. Includes:

• Recurrent selection in twelve maize populations -- 10 targeted to a specific maturity class and heterotic pattern, one for improved performance under low nitrogen conditions, and one intended for upper midaltitude and near highland areas.
• Identification and development of superior inbred lines for periodic release to cooperators, along with the development of suitable testers.
• Pedigree breeding involving superior inbreds and topcrosses.
• The formation and improvement of early maturing populations.
• Greenhouse and field screening for resistance to maize streak virus.
• Improvement of maize for resistance to field insect pests, especially corn borers.
• Regionwide collaborative testing of products from the above efforts.

Agronomy Research

• Collaborative studies with the University of Zimbabwe on long-term trends in soil fertility and productivity of smallholder maize-based cropping systems. (financed by Maize Program core funds and the Rockefeller Foundation)
• Research on weed management and weed tolerance in improved maize.
• Experiments on the sustainability of maize-grain legume intercrops.
• Developing fertilizer recommendations for smallholders.
• Studies on the yield of different types of F2 maize seed.

* Networks for Sustainable Maize Cropping

The Southern African Drought and Low Fertility Project

Initiated in 1996 and funded by SDC. Objectives include:

• Increasing the drought and low soil fertility tolerance of key maize germplasm targeted to countries of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
• Assisting national programs of SADC member states to develop viable maize breeding programs for tolerance to drought and low soil fertility .

Soil Fertility Research and Extension Network

Initiated in 1994; funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. Objectives include:

• Helping smallholders in Malawi and Zimbabwe produce higher, more sustainable and profitable yields from their dominant maize-based cropping systems.
• Helping improve management of scarce soil nutrient resource in those systems through effective, targeted research and enhanced interaction between research, extension and the farmer.

The Maize and Wheat Improvement Research Network for SADC

Initiated in 1994; funded by the European Community. Objectives include:

• Developing and facilitating the exchange of improved varieties of maize and wheat.
• Strengthening the capabilities of national agricultural research systems by promoting the training of maize and wheat professionals and facilitating their access to relevant information.

Capacity Building and Information Dissemination

• Collaborative research as part of the above activities.
• Newsletters, publications, document distribution, and research reports as part of collaborative research.
• In-service courses on crop improvement at CIMMYT headquarters and crop management research at the regional training center, Njoro, Kenya.
• Visiting scientist appointments at CIMMYT headquarters.
• Support for advanced degree studies.
• International symposia, regional meetings, in-country workshops and study tours.

Selected Achievements

• Significant contributions to improved, streak resistant varieties and hybrids used by farmers in 12 of the region's 16 maize growing nations.
• An improved regional awareness of soil fertility constraints and opportunities for addressing them, as well as the resources and linkages needed to do this work effectively.
• Dozens of researchers in national systems who have benefited from training opportunities and now contribute to research in the region.
• A proceedings of presentations and discussions from the international symposium on stress breeding.
• Evidence for the key roles of groundnuts in rotation with maize and cattle manure in stabilizing and sustaining maize yields.

Selected Regional Statistics, Maize Producing Countries

Maize area 9.6 million hectares.

Average maize yield 1.2 t/ha.

Midaltitude maize area 6.5 million hectares.

Major constraints Drought, maize streak virus, Exserohilum

to maize production turcicum leaf blight, Puccinia sorghi leaf rust, insect pests (Chilo partellus, Busseola fusca, termites), weeds, low levels of crop management and soil fertility, poor storability and storage pests, and ineffective delivery systems for improved technologies.

Other issues: Use of appropriate (i.e., locally adapted, right grain type) seed for seed relief activities; regional seed security.