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Maize research

CIMMYT develops and distributes improved maize inbred lines and hybrids to partners worldwide. This work improves the food security, incomes and livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers and their families in the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The objectives of CIMMYT’s maize breeding and seed systems work are to:

  • Develop genetically diverse, high-yielding maize inbred lines and hybrids, combining multiple-stress tolerance, nutrient use efficiency, enhanced nutritional quality, and desirable seed production properties for target production zones.
  • Accelerate the rate at which the genetic potential for maize yields increases each year and improve the efficiency of maize breeding operations, through integrated application of modern tools and technologies.
  • Deploy CIMMYT-derived improved maize varieties in the tropics through public-private partnerships, while strengthening local maize seed production and delivery systems.
  • Build local capacity — particularly of women and youth — in maize breeding and seed systems through training and knowledge exchange.

CIMMYT’s maize breeding work aims at developing easy-to-produce, best-bet hybrids, elite maize lines, and improved open-pollinated varieties, as well as science-based recommendations for varietal targeting and improved productivity in target regions.

In addition to higher grain yield, CIMMYT’s maize breeding teams focus on:

  • Yield stability in stress-prone environments, through tolerance to drought, heat, and poorly fertile soils.
  • Resistance to major diseases, insect pests, and parasitic weeds.
  • Enhanced nutritional qualities, such as provitamin A, high-kernel zinc, and quality protein maize.

This work is supported by cutting-edge tools and technologies, including doubled haploids, molecular markers and high-throughput field-based phenotyping.

CIMMYT’s research and work on maize breeding and seed systems is accomplished through strong public-private partnerships.

CIMMYT leads the CGIAR Research Program on Maize (MAIZE).

Contact

Profile image for B.M. Prasanna

B.M. Prasanna

Director of CIMMYT's Global Maize Program and the CGIAR Research Program on Maize

Profile image for Nicholas Davis

Nicholas Davis

Program Manager, Global Maize Program

Profile image for Aparna Das

Aparna Das

Technical Program Manager

Profile image for Reymunda Labuguen

Reymunda Labuguen

Program Finance Manager, Global Maize Program

Profile image for Rose Mburu

Rose Mburu

Research Program Administrator

Team members

Profile image for Jill Cairns

Jill Cairns

Maize Physiologist

Profile image for Natalia Palacios Rojas

Natalia Palacios Rojas

Maize Quality Specialist

Profile image for Felix San Vicente

Felix San Vicente

Maize Breeder

Profile image for Yunbi Xu

Yunbi Xu

Principal Scientist - Maize Molecular Breeder

Profile image for P.H. Zaidi

P.H. Zaidi

Maize Physiologist

Environmental health and biodiversity
News

At the recent G20 MACS, CIMMYT endorsed joint agricultural research and innovative partnerships to address global challenges facing agrifood systems through a multi-crop and multi-disciplinary approach.

Nutrition, health and food security
In the media

Source: Seed Quest (3 May 2023)

The TELA maize project has protected smallholder farmers from Stem-borer and Fall Armyworm through resistant maize varieties. As part of the project’s fifth year, the AATF has restated its commitment to developing transgenic drought-tolerant and insect-protected maize varieties.

Climate adaptation and mitigation
Climate adaptation and mitigation