Using a Participatory Approach and Legume Integration to Increase the Productivity of Early Maturing Maize in the Nigerian Sudan Savannas

Drought, infestation of cereal crops by the parasitic weed Striga hermonthica, and poor soil fertility are the major constraints to maize production by smallholder farmers in the Sudan savannas of northern Nigeria. Four innovation platforms (IPs) were therefore established in 2008 in the Sudan savanna (SS) agroecological zone of northern Nigeria to create a stakeholder forum to address these identified food production challenges in the target areas. The IPs comprised researchers from Bayero University, Kano; Institute for Agricultural Research, Zaria; International Institute of Tropical Agriculture; state and local government extension programs in Kano and Katsina states; input and output dealers; community-based organisations; and media organisations in the two states. The current study reports on the effects of legume integration on maize performance in farmer fields and the adoption of Striga management technologies introduced in the IPs over a four-year period. The deployment of drought- Striga-tolerant and early-maturing maize varieties along with legume rotation reduced Striga infestation by 46–100% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 80–97% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 59–94% when soybean was rotated with maize. Grain yield of maize increased by 63–88% when cowpea was rotated with maize, 69–128% when groundnut was rotated with maize, and 9–133% when soybean was rotated with maize. Participatory and detailed questionnaire-based adoption surveys showed high adoption of improved maize varieties, five years after program interventions. The maize variety 99EVDT-W-STR C0 was the most popular among all the IPs because it is early maturing, Striga-resistant, and drought-tolerant. The high maize yields and high adoption rates suggest that the IP approach was effective in disseminating maize technologies.

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Relative susceptibility of 20 elite maize varieties to infestation and damage by the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science ◽

10.1017/s1742758415000193 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (04) ◽

pp. 185-192 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

L.C. Nwosu ◽

C.O. Adedire ◽

E.O. Ogunwolu ◽

M.O. Ashamo

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Sitophilus Zeamais ◽

Prolonged Storage ◽

International Institute ◽

Maize Weevil ◽

Storage Duration ◽

Resistant Varieties ◽

Grain Damage ◽

Maize Varieties

Susceptibility studies keep farmers informed, and enhance breeding programmes' testing against infestation and damage by stored product pests. Therefore, the susceptibility of 20 elite maize varieties toSitophilus zeamaisinfestation was investigated in the laboratory at 32.7 °C ambient temperature and 70.4% relative humidity. The varieties tested were obtained from the Maize Breeding Units of International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), and Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), both in Ibadan, Nigeria. Susceptibility was assessed, using as indices, weevil mortality and survival rates, percentage grain damage, percentage grain weight loss, weight of grain powder, weevil development time, and number of emerged adults. The susceptibility index was determined post-infestation at 56 days using Dobie's formula and at 90 days from a new formula derived from Dobie's formula. Susceptible varieties produced significantly (P≤ 0.05) high numbers of F1and F2progeny, and had significantly (P≤ 0.05) low weevil mortality and early first weevil emergence. Grain damage and loss increased with storage duration. There was no visible damage to varieties 2000SYNEE-WSTR and TZBRELD3C5 at 56 days post-infestation. At 90 days, the two varieties had the lowest percentage grain damage, percentage weight loss, and weight of grain powder. The index of susceptibility at F2progeny showed that the resistant varieties decreased in number from 17 (85%) to 13 (65%) and the moderately resistant varieties increased from 2 (10%) to 6 (30%). This suggests the effect of prolonged storage duration on the inherent ability of varieties to resist weevil attack. Variety PVASYN3F2 was susceptible. The factors conferring high resistance to 2000SYNEE-WSTR and TZBRELD3C5 should be investigated. They should be promoted to controlS. zeamaisinfestation and damage in stored maize.

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Performance of tropical early-maturing maize cultivars in multiple stress environments

Canadian Journal of Plant Science ◽

10.4141/cjps10059 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 90 (6) ◽

pp. 831-852 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

B. Badu-Apraku ◽

A. Menkir ◽

S. Ajala ◽

R. Akinwale ◽

M. Oyekunle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Drought Stress ◽

Striga Hermonthica ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Maize Productivity ◽

Maize Cultivars ◽

Genotype Environment Interaction ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Early Maturing ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Growing Conditions

Maize (Zea mays L.) production in west Africa (WA) is constrained by drought, Striga hermonthica infestation and low soil nitrogen (N). Maize varieties resistant to Striga, drought, and low N are ideal for WA, but genotype × environment interaction on these traits are usually significant due to differential responses of cultivars to growing conditions. Three studies were conducted from 2007 to 2009 at five locations in Nigeria to evaluate the performance of selected early-maturing cultivars under drought stress versus well-watered, Striga-infested versus Striga-free, and in low- versus high-N environments. Drought stress reduced grain yield by 44%, Striga infestation by 65%, and low N by 40%. GGE biplot analysis showed that the genotypes TZE-W DT STR C4, Tillering Early DT, TZE-W DT STR QPM C0 and TZE-Y DT STR C4 performed relatively well in all study environments. TZE-W DT STR C4 and TZE Comp3 C1F2 were outstanding under drought, TZE-W DT STR C4, EVDT-W 99 STR QPM C0 and TZE-W DT STR QPMC0 under Striga infestation and Tillering Early DT, EVDT 97 STRC1, TZE-W DT STR C4, and TZE Comp3 C3 under N deficiency. Maize productivity in WA can be significantly improved by promoting cultivation of genotypes that combine high resistance/tolerance to Striga and drought with improved N-use efficiency.

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Genetic diversity assessment of extra-early maturing yellow maize inbreds and hybrid performance inStriga-infested andStriga-free environments

The Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.1017/s0021859612000652 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 151 (4) ◽

pp. 519-537 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

I. C. AKAOGU ◽

B. BADU-APRAKU ◽

V. O. ADETIMIRIN ◽

I. VROH-BI ◽

M. OYEKUNLE ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Central Africa ◽

Striga Hermonthica ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Maize Production ◽

Growing Seasons ◽

Diversity Assessment ◽

Early Maturing ◽

Growing Conditions

SUMMARYMaize (Zea maysL.), a major staple food crop in West and Central Africa (WCA), is adapted to all agro-ecologies in the sub-region. Its production in the sub-region is greatly constrained by infestation ofStriga hermonthica(Del.) Benth. The performance and stability of the extra-early maturing hybrids, which are particularly adapted to areas with short growing seasons, were assessed underStriga-infested andStriga-free conditions. A total of 120 extra-early hybrids and an open-pollinated variety (OPV) 2008 Syn EE-Y DT STR used as a control were evaluated at two locations each underStriga-infested (Mokwa and Abuja) andStriga-free (Ikenne and Mokwa) conditions in 2010/11. TheStriga-resistant hybrids were characterized by higher grain yield, shorter anthesis–silking interval (ASI), better ear aspect, higher numbers of ears per plant (EPP), lowerStrigadamage rating, and lower number of emergedStrigaplants at 8 and 10 weeks after planting (WAP) compared with the susceptible inbreds. UnderStrigainfestation, mean grain yield ranged from 0·71 to 3·18 t/ha and 1·19 to 3·94 t/ha underStriga-free conditions. The highest yielding hybrid, TZEEI 83×TZEEI 79, out-yielded the OPV control by 157% underStrigainfestation. The hybrids TZEEI 83×TZEEI 79 and TZEEI 67×TZEEI 63 were the highest yielding under bothStriga-infested andStriga-free conditions. The genotype main effect plus genotype×environment interaction (GGE) biplot analysis identified TZEEI 88×TZEEI 79 and TZEEI 81×TZEEI 95 as the ideal hybrids across research environments. Twenty-three pairs of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were used to assess the genetic diversity among the inbred lines. The correlations between the SSR-based genetic distance (GD) estimates of parental lines and the means observed in F1hybrid underStrigainfestation and optimum growing conditions were not significant for grain yield and other traits except ASI under optimum conditions. Grain yield of inbreds was not significantly correlated with that of F1hybrids. However, a significant correlation existed between F1hybrid grain yield and heterosis underStrigainfestation (r=0·72,P<0·01). These hybrids have the potential for increasing maize production inStrigaendemic areas in WCA.

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Soil Maize Cultivar-related Challenges on Striga hermonthica Infested Fields in Western Kenya

Journal of Plant Studies ◽

10.5539/jps.v7n2p41 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 41

Author(s):

Celestine Manyasi ◽

Dennis Ochieno ◽

Francis Muyekho ◽

John Muoma ◽

Mwikali Pamela ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Soil Fertility ◽

Water Hyacinth ◽

Unit Area ◽

Germination Percentage ◽

Cattle Manure ◽

Striga Hermonthica ◽

Maize Production ◽

Yellow Seed ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Maize Varieties

Maize production in Western Kenya is constrained by Striga hermonthica and declining soil fertility. Integrated Striga Management (ISM) packages have been proposed. An ISM field experiment assessed combination of 4 maize varieties with 5 levels of soil fertility amendments. Imazapyr Resistant (IR) maize and local yellow seed Shipindi had highest germination percentages of 90% and 81% respectively, compared to commercial white seed Duma and local white seed Rachar. Duma had significantly large plants in terms of leave size and plant height; and taking least time to silking and tasseling while producing heaviest cobs and grains per plant. Synthetic fertilizer (DAP+CAN) was associated with the least germination percentage, but produced the largest plants with many leaves, took the shortest time to silking, and produced highest cob weight and grain weight, with very low S. hermonthica infestations regardless of the maize varieties. Cattle manure (CM) and water hyacinth compost containing cattle manure culture (HCM) and Effective Microbes™ (HEM) had the highest S. hermonthica population per unit area. Maize grown with water hyacinth compost containing Effective Microbes™ (HEM) positively influenced cob weight than those receiving cattle manure (CM) and the controls; while being associated with the highest numerical increase in grain yield/area. Alternative soil fertility interventions based on these observations are therefore proposed.

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Potentials of hybrid maize varieties for small-holder farmers in Kenya: A review based on swot analysis

African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development ◽

10.18697/ajfand.57.11360 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 13 (57) ◽

pp. 7562-7586

Author(s):

C Schroeder ◽

◽

T Onyango K’Oloo ◽

NB Ranabhat ◽

NA Jick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Positive Impact ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Fertilizer Application ◽

Small Scale ◽

Maize Production ◽

Marginal Areas ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Small Scale Farmers ◽

Hybrid Maize

Maize is the primary staple crop in Kenya and plays an important role in the livelihood of the people of Kenya. Its availability and abundance determines the level of welfare and food security in the country. In Kenya, future increases in maize production to meet domestic demand will have to rely on improvements in yield per hectare rather than on the expansion of maize production area. Enhanced maize productivity can be achieved by increased use of modern production techniques such as the adoption of hybrid maize varieties, the use of chemicals and fertilizer application. Small-scale maize prodcution plays a major role in Kenya’s maize economy and adoption of hybrid technology by small-scale farmers would have the potential to address sustainability and supply issues. However, such modern technologies are still rarely used by Kenya’s small-scale farmers, particularly by those in marginal areas. This study, therefore, tries to review the reasons for the low rate of adoption of hybrid maize varieties among small-scale farmers with focus on those smallholders in Kenya’s marginal areas. Lack of awareness of existing or newly released hybrid varieties, lack of hybrid varieties adapted to marginal areas, lack of confidence in the quality of some hybrid maize seeds, poor access to stockists, low profitability due to high seed cost, inadequate access to credit, the need for fertilizer application and low literacy level have been found to be important factors explaining the low adoption rates by smallholder maize producers in marginal areas. In addition, these constraints might also explain the widespread practice of recycling hybrid grain among small-scale farmers once they have adopted hybrid maize varieties. Therefore, it is hoped that by overcoming these constraints, the adoption of hybrid maize varieties among smallholder farmers could be greatly enhanced, which in turn could lead to a significant positive impact on the country’s food security situation.

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Response of early maturing maize landraces and improved varieties to moisture deficit and sufficient water supply

Plant Genetic Resources ◽

10.1017/s1479262109225342 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 7 (03) ◽

pp. 205-215 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Abebe Menkir ◽

Baffour Badu-Apraku ◽

Sam Ajala ◽

Alpha Kamara ◽

Abdou Ndiaye

Keyword(s):

Water Supply ◽

Grain Yield ◽

Rank Order ◽

Yield Potential ◽

Maize Production ◽

Improved Varieties ◽

Drought Tolerant ◽

Moisture Deficit ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Early Maturing

In drought-affected maize production zones with short growing periods, the development and use of early maturing drought-tolerant cultivars can stabilize maize production. We evaluated 10 improved and 25 farmers' early maturing maize varieties under moisture deficit and well-watered conditions for 2 years to identify suitable genetic materials for breeding drought-tolerant cultivars. The varieties exhibited significant differences in grain yield and other traits under both moisture deficit and well-watered conditions. Changes in the rank order of the varieties for grain yield was not significant across the different levels of moisture supply in this study. Grain yield was significantly correlated with days to anthesis, days to silking, plant height, ear height, ear number and anthesis–silking interval (ASI) under the two irrigation treatments and with leaf death scores under moisture deficit, suggesting that the common traits were beneficial in maximizing grain yield under both sufficient water supply and moisture deficit. Grain yield and the traits significantly correlated with it differentiated the early maturing maize varieties into two distinct groups under well-watered condition and moisture deficit. The improved varieties were superior to the farmers' varieties in grain yield and other traits under moisture deficit, possibly due to selection of their progenitors for improved performance in multiple locations. We found some farmers' and improved varieties with similar yield potential and flowering time under well-watered conditions but with marked differences in grain yield and other traits under moisture deficit. Use of such promising landraces that would also be invaluable sources of desirable farmers-preferred end-use quality traits in combination with promising improved varieties as breeding materials could enhance the genetic grain from selection for drought tolerance in early maize.

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Feeding site preference of Sitophilus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) on maize grain

International Journal of Tropical Insect Science ◽

10.1017/s1742758415000065 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 35 (02) ◽

pp. 62-68 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

L.C. Nwosu ◽

C.O. Adedire ◽

E.O. Ogunwolu

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Research ◽

Sitophilus Zeamais ◽

Site Preference ◽

International Institute ◽

Feeding Site ◽

Breeding For Resistance ◽

Flat Side ◽

Maize Varieties ◽

Maize Grain ◽

Ibadan Nigeria

The possibility thatSitophilus zeamaisMotschulsky prefers a particular grain side and a grain side area for feeding, and the implications and value in maize programmes' breeding for resistance were investigated in the laboratory at ambient temperature (32.7 °C) and relative humidity (70.4%) using standard techniques. A total of 20 elite maize varieties were used: TZBRCOMP.2C1F1, TZBRELD3C5, PVASYN-3F2, PVASYN-6F2, DTSYN-11-W, BR9943DMRSR, IWDC3SNY-W, WHITEDTSTRSYN, 2008DTMA-YSTR and 2000SYNEE-WSTR, obtained from the Maize Breeding Unit of International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, Nigeria, and ILE-1-OB, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-1, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-2, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-5, IFEMAIZEHYBRID-6, ARTCOMPOSITE-A-Y, ARTCOMPOSITE-B-Y, ART/98/SW1-OB, ART/98/SW4-OB and ART/98/SW5-OB, obtained from the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria. The flat side of a maize grain at the point of penetration was significantly preferred (P≤ 0.05), possibly because it provided much needed space for anchorage and feeding. The South locus of the flattened side of a maize grain was also significantly preferred (P≤ 0.05), possibly because of its soft nature and proximity to the nutrient-rich embryo. The findings of the study have implications for seed viability and can be considered in breeding for resistance to infestation byS. zeamaisin stored maize.

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Profitability and Impact of Inorganic Fertilizers on the Maize Production in Ekona, Cameroon

Contemporary Agriculture ◽

10.2478/contagri-2021-0012 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 70 (3-4) ◽

pp. 76-84

Author(s):

Lawrence Tatanah Nanganoa ◽

Francis Ajebesone Ngome ◽

Juliana Namein Ngong ◽

Sone Kone Edigar Atache ◽

Jeremiah Ndande Ebonlo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Agricultural Research ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Abiotic Factors ◽

Block Design ◽

Cost Ratio ◽

Inorganic Fertilizers ◽

Maize Production ◽

Fertilizer Use ◽

Grain Yields ◽

Fertilizer Rates

Summary Declining soil fertility and low fertilizer use are the major abiotic factors limiting the maize production in Cameroon. Therefore, the design and introduction of appropriate fertilizer schemes, which would improve maize yields and provide incentives for smallholder farmers, are considered imperative. In 2018, a field experiment was conducted on the farm of the Institute of Agricultural Research for Development (IRAD) in Ekona, the south-west region of Cameroon, to investigate the profitability and impact of inorganic fertilizers on maize production. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and four treatments, using different fertilizer rates per hectare in each treatment (namely unfertilized control (T1), 50 kg urea + 50 kg N-P-K (T2), 100 kg urea + 100 kg N-P-K (T3) and 150 kg urea + 150 kg N-P-K (T4)). The results obtained indicate that all the maize growth parameters (plant height, number of leaves per plant, stem girth and leaf area) and yield components considered (cob length, cob diameter and test weight of 100 grains) were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in T4 than T1. The grain yields recorded ranged from 4.09–5.88 t ha−1 and were also statistically (P < 0.05) higher in T4 than T1. The incremental income based on the fertilizer use was the highest in T4, followed by T3 and T2. The value cost ratio (VCR) was greater than 2 in all the treatments and was found to be highest in T2 (3.15), followed by T4 (2.52) and T3 (2.49). As T2, T3 and T4 did not differ statistically (P > 0.05), all the fertilizer rates considered were economically viable, but T4 provide the most cost-effective due to its higher grain yields and incremental income.

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Status of Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease in Zambia

10.52855/kiad5607 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 1-16

Author(s):

Doreen Chomba ◽

◽

Msiska K. K. ◽

Abass M. S. ◽

Mudenda M. ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Food Security ◽

Mosaic Virus ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus ◽

Maize Production ◽

Chlorotic Mottle Virus ◽

Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus ◽

Chlorotic Mottle ◽

The Status

Maize is a staple food in Zambia and contributes immensely to food security for smallholder farmers. Disease outbreaks such as Maize Lethal Necrosis Disease (MLND) can be a key constraint to maize production. This disease is caused by synergistic co-infection with Maize Chlorotic Mottle Virus (MCMV) and any virus from the family Potyviridae, particularly, Sugarcane Mosaic Virus (SCMV), Maize Dwarf Mosaic Virus (MDMV) or Wheat Streak Mosaic Virus (WSMV). In 2011, an outbreak of MLND affecting almost all of the currently grown commercial varieties posed a challenge to maize production in Kenya and it has since been reported in DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda causing yield losses of up to 100%. Despite MLND having been reported in some neighboring countries, there is no information on the status of the disease in Zambia. Additionally, there is a lot of grain and seed trade between Zambia and other countries among which MLND has been reported. The aim of this study was to establish: (a) the status of MCMV; (b) agricultural practices used by farmers and (c) insect vectors associated with MLND. A survey was conducted in nine (9) provinces of Zambia during 2014/2015 and 2015/ 2016 cropping seasons. Farmers’ maize fields were sampled at every five to ten-kilometer interval and tested using rapid diagnostic kits capable of detecting MCMV. Four hundred and nineteen samples collected all tested negative for MCMV. Zambian Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), with all stakeholders in the maize value chain should continue implementing measures aimed at preventing the introduction of MLND in Zambia. Key words: Survey, MLND, Losses, food security

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Genetic Variability in Physiological Seed Quality of Maize Genotypes of Different Maturity Groups

International Journal of Plant & Soil Science ◽

10.9734/ijpss/2020/v32i1730381 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-10

Author(s):

J. O. Olasoji ◽

D. J. Ogunniyan

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variability ◽

Seed Weight ◽

Seed Quality ◽

Agricultural Research ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Yield Potential ◽

International Institute ◽

Mean Values ◽

Maize Genotypes ◽

Maize Varieties

A study was conducted to investigate genetic variability in physiological seed quality using viability and vigour tests which were conducted at the seed testing laboratory of Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan. The investigational materials consisted of twelve genotypes of maize of different maturity-early, intermediate and late collected from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan and IAR&T, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, respectively. The experimental design used was completely randomize design (CRD) and data was collected for some viability and vigour traits and the data collected were subjected to analysis of variance. Significant differences were found among all the maize genotypes for the characters under observation. Hundred seed weight ranged from 24.6-29.3 g, 18.5-26.6 g, 22.9-29.1 g, standard germination ranged from 54.0-100.0%, 16.0-92.0%, 50.0-100% and accelerate ageing germination also ranged from 6.0-96.0%, 7.0-84.0%, 0-90.0% in the early, intermediate and late- maturing genotypes, respectively. Conductivity ranged from 5.34-17.10 µS/cm/g, 13.7-91.7 µS/cm/g and7.06-33.6 µS/cm/g with mean values of 11.14, 39.23 and 14.05 µS/cm/g in the early, intermediate and late-maturing genotypes, respectively. Variability was smaller in the late-maturing genotypes for Root Number (RN) and Shoot Length (SLT) but higher for both early and late- maturing genotypes. It was concluded from this study that seeds of early-maturing genotypes had significantly higher physical and physiological quality parameters. All the early materials used for the study tend to be homogenous for all the traits measured and selection should be practiced for hundred seed weight to increase yield potential in maize varieties.

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