Maize breeding
CIMMYT Releases 12 New Maize Lines
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: Seed World (14 May 2021)
CIMMYT has released a set of 12 new maize lines adapted to the tropical  environments targeted by CIMMYT and partner institutions.
CIMMYT releases 12 new maize lines
Innovations
CIMMYT maize lines CML604A to CML615A are adapted to tropical maize production environments.
Researchers identify optimal strategy to maximize genomic estimated breeding values
Innovations
Genomic selection breeding approach paves the way to better maize and wheat in farmers’ fields faster.
New publications: Doubled haploids in maize — development, deployment and challenges
Innovations
CIMMYT researchers outline the potential opportunities and key challenges of doubled haploid line development in maize.
Successful Crop Innovation Is Mitigating Climate Crisis Impact in Africa
Climate adaptation and mitigation
Source: IPS News (17 Feb 2021)
In an op-ed, Martin Kropff, Director General of CIMMYT, discusses how higher-yielding, stress-tolerant maize varieties can not only help smallholders combat climatic variabilities and diseases, but also effectively diversify their farms.
New CIMMYT maize hybrids available from Eastern Africa breeding program
Innovations
CIMMYT is offering a new set of improved maize hybrids to partners, to scale up production for farmers in these areas.
New publications: Scientists find genomic regions associated with better quality stover traits in maize for animal feed
Nutrition, health and food security
The results of this study will allow breeders to optimize dual purpose maize varieties to sustainably feed people and their livestock.
Fast-tracked adoption of second-generation resistant maize varieties key to managing maize lethal necrosis in Africa
Nutrition, health and food security
Source: Africa.com (20 Jan 2021)
In combination with recommended integrated pest management practices, adopting these new varieties is an important step towards safeguarding smallholder farmers against this devastating viral disease.
Zimbabwe: Centre Develops New Hybrid Maize Resistant to Armyworm
Environmental health and biodiversity
Source: All Africa (13 Jan 2022)
CIMMYT has developed new maize hybrid varieties showing promising resistance to the destructive fall armyworm pest, which has been causing huge crop losses ever since the pest was first reported in Africa in 2016.
How hybrid maize helps farmers get through dry spells
Innovations
Source: MIT Technology Review (18 Dec 2020)
A new seed developed by CIMMYT is boosting maize production in sub-Saharan Africa, where yields are less than a third of what they are in the US—in large part because of drought.
Molecular breeding speeds development of better seeds
Innovations
Need for continuous testing and application of new breeding methods to deliver resilient seed varieties at a faster rate is more important now than ever before.
Scientific opportunities and challenges
Capacity development
First meetings of the AGG Science and Technical Steering Committees generate insights and recommendations for optimizing breeding schemes.
Faster results at a lower cost
Innovations
Innovative tools and technologies help CIMMYT maize breeders in Africa accelerate the delivery of high-quality seed.
