Open Pollinated Maize Varieties Research Articles

Effects of Different Doses of Nitrogen on Growth and Nitrogen Use Efficiency of Maize (Zea mays L.) in Berekum Municipality of Ghana

Background: Adequate and balanced use of plant nutrients could increase crop performance and reduce adverse environmental effects. Farmers in Berekum have little information on the specific rate of nutrient, especially nitrogen application for hybrid and open pollinated maize varieties. Methods: A field experiment was carried out in Berekum Municipality of Ghana to determine the effects of different doses of N fertilizer (0, 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha-1) on growth and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of Pannar 12 (hybrid) and Omankwa (open-pollinated) maize varieties. The experiment was conducted in a factorial randomized block design and replicated thrice. Result: Experimental results revealed that incremental doses of nitrogen significantly impacted vegetative growth and NUE of maize. The studies indicated that the growth response in terms of plant height, number of leaves per plant and stem diameter of Omankwa was better than that of Pannar 12. It was found that in the main cropping period of 2019, the maximum NUE of 14.58 kg/kg was gained when Pannar 12 was grown with 150 kg N ha-1, while the highest NUE (15.91 kg/kg) was recorded when Omankwa was grown with 90 kg N ha-1. In the minor season of 2019, NUE was highest (13.54 kg/kg) when Pannar 12 was grown with 150 kg N ha-1, while application of 120 kg N ha-1 to Omankwa resulted in the highest NUE (10.85 kg/kg). The studies indicated that application of nitrogen at 90, 120 and 150 kg N ha-1 improved NUE in maize. However, NUE was optimized in Pannar 12 due to application of 150 kg N ha-1, while application of 90 kg N ha-1 was enough to optimize NUE in Omankwa.

ENHANCING PRE AND POST VEGETATIVE HEAT RESILIENCE AND YIELD POTENTIAL IN THE NEWLY RELEASED MAIZE VARIETY "SAHIWAL GOLD" THROUGH MODIFIED SELECTION

Maize is well-anchored crop across the globe due to its nutritional profile, multipurpose usage, and underlying financial benefits. Growing of open-pollinated maize varieties (OPVs) is a traditional trend and is still followed by a huge community of small farmers in most of the developing world. Improvement in yield potential is always inevitable and requires a purposeful and definite strategy. The current climate scenario loaded with heat escalation and extreme fluctuations is creating uncertainty and unsustainability through acute yield losses in domesticated crops. The breeding strategy of Sahiwal Gold (2008-2018) was comprised of four developmental phases i.e. enrichment phase, half-sib selection, pedigree selection, uniformity phase, and field evaluation at various agro-ecological zones of Pakistan. Each consecutive autumn and spring season was utilized to improve yield potential by exploiting pre and post-vegetative heat resilience. Half sib and pedigree selection improved plant features like height (12%), cob length (4.1%), seeds per cob (7.5%), grain (10%), and stalk yield (11.2%) from enrichment to uniformity phase. Sahiwal Gold maintained a high adaption profile across the tested locations and out-yielded the check variety (MMRI Yellow) by 18% and 26% on average in 6 stations and 16 national yield trials, respectively. National yield testing approved its suitability across provinces like Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), and Islamabad territory under a diverse range of temperatures. Analysis of variance revealed that highly significant interaction between season and genotypes work for plant height, grain, and stalk yield potential. Higher grain yield up to 95 mounds/acre was observed for spring season crop and batter stalk yield results (650 mounds/acre) were assessed during autumn plantation. Twelve (12) feet tall plants with 4 feet long leaves having 75-90% stay green ability provide a good opportunity fodder and grain yield potential at farmer’s field. This work will provide a better understanding to researchers for designing breeding programs for the development of heat resilience germplasm in crops.

Fields of contestation and contamination: Maize seeds, agroecology and the (de)coloniality of agriculture in Malawi and South Africa

Farmer-managed seed systems and the conservation of agrobiodiversity are increasingly recognized as important components of food and seed sovereignty. In contrast, hybrid, genetically modified (GM), and, increasingly, gene-edited crops continue to be promoted by Green Revolution proponents as a “climate smart” package that includes fertilizers, pesticides, purchased seeds, and links to global markets. Influencing seed laws and policies to support the uptake of modern crop varieties has been a key entry point in many countries, facilitated by networks of foreign donors, philanthropists, governments, and multinational companies. Using the case of South Africa, where GM crops have been grown for several decades, we provide insights on implications for Malawi, which passed a Seed Act in 2022, implicitly supporting GM crops. Both countries have histories of colonial agriculture with strong policy support for modern, hybrid varieties of maize, and the replacement (and displacement) of local, open-pollinated maize varieties. In South Africa, several studies have revealed the contamination of smallholder fields and seed systems. Through a political ecology lens, we explore how maize and its cotechnologies were commodified in South Africa and Malawi, and what South African experiences of GM crop adoption in smallholder farming systems can tell us about the challenges to be faced by smallholder Malawian farmers. We reveal how colonial histories and ongoing colonialities of power, knowledge, being, and nature continue to shape the character and form of agriculture in both countries, running counter to the needs of agroecological smallholder farmers and their ways of knowing and being. We conclude by envisioning what reimagined, transformed and decolonial approaches for food and agriculture might look like on the African continent, and how they might contribute toward the attainment of food and seed sovereignty and an agroecological future.

The Impacts of Climatic Variability on the Grain Yield Performance of Open Pollinated Varieties (OPV) of Maize in a Rainforest Location of Nigeria

Aims: The objectives of the study were to examine the effects of climatic factors on maize yield and identify best planting date for maize in Rainforest Agroecology of Nigeria.
 Study Design: Grain yield of seventeen open pollinated varieties of maize evaluated in 21 randomly selected environments in the Rainforest Agroecology of Nigeria were used for the study. Each field experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replications and 5 m long single-row plots spaced at 0.75 m apart and three seeds were planted 0.5 m apart within the row.
 Place and Duration of Study: Grain yield of 17 maize varieties evaluated at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching and Research Farm (7°28'N, 4°33'E, altitude 224 m above sea level) during the late cropping seasons of 2001, 2005 and early cropping seasons of 2002, 2006 were used for this study.
 Methodology: The grain yield and climatic data within the period of evaluation was subjected to Analysis of variance and correlation analysis.
 Results: Rainfall alone significantly accounted for over 42 % of the total variation on grain yield across the environments while the combination of two climatic factors revealed significant variation across the combination ranging from over 41 % to 45 % with minimum relative humidity and maximum temperature together having the highest significant variation on grain yield of Maize. There was also highly significant positive correlation between grain yield and total rainfall (r = 0.65**) and minimum relative humidity (r = 0.64**).
 Conclusion: Ranking of the twenty-one environments for average grain yield, the most favourable planting date ranged from early April to early May in Rainforest Agro-ecology of Nigeria.

Yield Response of Hybrid and Open Pollinated Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties to Different Levels of Fertilizer Nitrogen under Rain-Fed Conditions in the Bono Region of Ghana

Background. The experiment was undertaken at Nsapor, a suburb of Berekum municipality in the Bono Region of Ghana, from March 2019 to November 2019 to determine the suitable rate of fertilizer nitrogen application to optimize seed yield and yield attributes of Pannar 12 and Omankwa maize varieties in a semi deciduous agroecology of Ghana. Soil fertility is low in Ghana because of factors such as rampant annual bushfires, short fallow periods as a result of high human populations, continuous cropping, deforestation, and improper mining activities. There is also little information on crop variety and site-specific fertilizer recommendations in Ghana, resulting in inappropriate use of fertilizers by most Ghanaian farmers, culminating in low crop yields. Methods. Hybrid (Pannar 12) and open pollinated (Omankwa) maize varieties were treated with four rates of fertilizer nitrogen obtained from NPK 15-15-15 (0 kgN/ha, 90 kgN/ha, 120 kgN/ha and 150 kgN/ha) and laid out in a factorial combination in a randomized complete block design with three replicates. Results. Application of 150 kg/ha of fertilizer N to Pannar 12 variety resulted in grain yields of 6146 kg/ha and 6095 kg/ha in the major and minor rainy seasons, respectively. The results also showed that application of 120 kg/ha of fertilizer N to Omankwa variety gave grain yields of 4635 kg/ha and 5286 kg/ha in the major and minor rainy seasons, respectively. To optimize the grain yield of maize, farmers could use NPK 15-15-15 fertilizer as a source of nitrogen and apply 120 kgN/ha to Omankwa variety and 150 kgN/ha to Pannar 12 variety in both major and minor rainy seasons.

Effect of pollination methods on growth, maturity, seed yield and yield components in open-pollinated varieties of maize (Zea mays L.)

Effect of pollination methods on growth, maturity, seed yield and yield components in open-pollinated varieties of maize (Zea mays L.)

Participatory Evaluation of Open Pollinated Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties for Green Cob Production Under Irrigation in the North Shewa Lowlands, Ethiopia

In the experimental area, there is a lack of improved maize varieties for green cob production. The experiment was conducted at Efratana gidim woreda Yimlo Kebele FTC-station in the North Shewa zone during the 2017 and 2018 experimental years under irrigation conditions. The objective of the study was to select adaptive, high-green cob yielders and farmers who preferred open-pollinated maize varieties for the lowland areas of North Shewa. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Six nationally released open-pollinated maize, varieties including local check, were evaluated for two subsequent years. The combined analysis of variance showed highly significant ( p < 0.01 ) differences for days to anthesis, days to silking, and number of cobs ha−1. In each year, farmers participated and selected the top preferred varieties. During the 2017 experimental year, farmers used a number of cobs per plant, bear tip, cob length, uniformity, husk tip coverage, earliness, and stalk strength as selection criteria, and during the 2018 experimental year, farmers also used cob length, bear tip, earliness, lodging tolerance, and biomass as variety selection criteria. Varieties Melkasa-2 and Melkasa-6Q have been selected in both years. Analysis of variance revealed that both farmers preferred varieties that gave a high number of cobs, which is 46,914 and 41,358 cobs ha−1 for varieties Melkasa-2 and Melkasa-6Q, respectively. Based on this result, varieties Melkasa-2 and Melkasa-6Q were recommended for the North Shewa lowlands and similar agroecology.

Participatory Variety Selection of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties in the Low Lands of Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia

Background: Maize (Zea mays L.) is the most important staple food in the lowland of North Shewa, Ethiopia. However, the crop is less researched in this area. Thus, the objective of this study was to assess the performance of improved open pollinated variety maize with the participation of farmers’ using their selection criteria for cultivation in the lowland areas of North Shewa. Methods: Fourteen open pollinated maize varieties including local were evaluated in the lowland of Eastern Amhara at Eferatana Gedim district, Yimlo research station in 2016 and 2017 main cropping season. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) in three replications. Five agronomic and yield traits were collected in both cropping years. In addition, maize small holder farmers were participated to evaluate and score varieties using the matrix ranking method based on the farmers’ selection attributes. Result: The combined analysis of variance across years showed that highly significant (p less than 0.01) difference for days to anthesis, grain yield. The highest grain yield was obtained from Melkassa-4 (5243 kg/ha) and Melkasa-2 (5115 kg/ha) while the lowest yield was recorded from Rare-1 (3294 kg/ha). The overall yielding ability of Melkasa-4 was higher as compared with the tested varieties. In addition, this variety was highly appreciated by maize farmers in both cropping years. Based on farmer’s selection and yield potential, therefore, Melkassa-4 has recommended for the lowlands of North Shewa and similar agro ecologies in Ethiopia. Support is needed to scale-up and deliver such improved variety through involving farmers in the selection and dissemination of varieties that are adapted to their needs, as it incurred income, good in crop rotation and animal feed.

Evaluation of Open-Pollinated and Hybrid Maize Varieties in the Spring Season at Baitadi District, Nepal

Being a maize producing region, cultivation of hybrid and improved maize varieties in the spring season is very low in Baitadi district. In order to examine the performances of different maize varieties, five maize varieties including both open-pollinated (i.e. Arun-2, Arun-4 and Rampur composite) and hybrid varieties (i.e. Rajkumar and Rampur Hybrid-10) were tested using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in spring season during February to August, 2020 at Dasarathch and municipality-1, Baitadi. The highest days to emergence of seedlings was in Rampur Hybrid-10 (30 days) and the lowest days to emergence was in Arun-2 (23 days) and Arun-4 (23 days), respectively. The plant height was significantly higher in Rajkumar (156.4 cm), whereas the leaf area index were significantly higher in Arun-2 (4.36 cm). Similarly, the phenological behavior like days to 50% tasseling (112 days) and silking (119 days) were significantly earlier in Arun-4. Likewise, yield attributing characteristics like cob length, cob diameter, number of rows/cobs, number of kernels/rows, shelling%, thousand grain weight (TGW) were found significantly higher in hybrid maize varieties as compared to openpollinated varieties. Grain yield was found significantly higher in hybrids Rajkumar recording yield of 5.32 Mt ha-1 closely followed by Rampur Hybrid-10 (4.75 Mt ha-1) whereas open-pollinated Rampur composite, Arun-2 and Arun-4 recorded grain yield of 4.58 Mt ha-1, 3.99 Mt ha-1 and 2.33 Mt ha-1 respectively. The results indicated that hybrid varieties were promising and should be promoted for general cultivation in the hills area of Nepal. SAARC J. Agric., 19(2): 123-136 (2021)

Performance Evaluation of Maize Hybrids for Yield Characteristics Under Drought Stress Condition of Southern Tigray Region

Eight released maize varieties with one local check were tested at Ofla in randomized complete block design with three replications during 2014 main rainy season. The experiment was conducted to test the adaptability of improved high land hybrid maize varieties and select the best high yielding maize hybrid varieties for the target area. The treatments consisted of one open pollinated maize variety (Gibe-1) and six hybrid maize varieties (Hora, Jibat, Argane, BH-140, BH661, Wanchi) and one local check were evaluated at Ofla sites. Hybrid maize varieties were planted with 0.75 m and 0.25 m between row and between plants respectively. Urea and DAP were used as a source of Nitrogen and Phosperos at recommended rate of application. The analysis of variance showed highly significant difference (p<0.01) for plant height (cm) and days to maturity. While, days to male flower, days to female flower, ear height (cm), thousand seed weight (g), grain yield and yield per cob showed significantly difference (p<0.05). Wonchi variety was obtained the best results in terms of yield and yielding component and local check maize varieties did not performed well in terms of yield and yielding component as compared to hybrids. Therefore, for sustainable maize production Wonchi could be recommended. This variety need to be addressed to farmers and users with improved production packages.

Performance evaluation of improved hybrid and open pollinated maize varieties in potential maize producing area of Benishangul Gumuz region

Performance evaluation of improved hybrid and open pollinated maize varieties in potential maize producing area of Benishangul Gumuz region

Evaluation of Open Pollinated Maize (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Zea mays&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) Varieties for Mid Altitude Areas of Western Guzi Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

Maize is a major grain crop that is widely adaptable to many agro-ecologies across the world. The goal of the study was to see how adaptable and stable open pollinated maize varieties are in terms of grain yield and yield-related features in the Western Guji Zone's mid-altitude areas. Different genotypes perform differently in each location, which may be used to boost production. Six open pollinated maize varieties were transported from Bako National Maize Research Center and planted in RCBD with three replications at Yabello Pastoral and Dryland Agriculture Research Center's Galana and Abaya sub sites for three years. The results of the analysis of variance revealed that there was a substantial yield difference between genotypes. Gibe-2 had the greatest average grain production of 5.85 t/ha, followed by Kulani with 5.63 t/ha across years and locations, according to the combined analysis of variance. Kulani was found to be the most stable of all the varieties, whereas Gibe 2 was shown to be the most unstable. Kulani's and ABO-additive Bako's main and multiplicative interaction stability values (ASVs) were both near to zero (0.08 and 0.27, respectively), but Gibe 2's ASV was significantly higher (1.62) and deviated from zero. As a result, Kulani was stable and high yielding across settings, whereas Gibe 2 was high yielding in a single environment (unstable). So, and Kulani were recommended for cultivation in the Galana and Abaya districts of southern Oromia, as well as regions with comparable agro ecologies, while Gibe 2 was recommended for the Galana district.

Effect Of Plant Densities And Fertilizer Rates On Grain Yield Of Spring Maize In Inner Terai Condition

To improve the yield of spring season maize in the inner terai of Nepal, the effect of increasing fertilizer levels for increasing planting densities on growth, yield attributes, and yield of open-pollinated maize variety were analyzed through the field experimentation in 2019. The treatments included factorial combinations of three planting densities, (a) 55556/ha, (b) 66667/ha, and (c) 83333/ha; and four fertilizers levels (research-based recommendation i.e., 120:60:40 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha, 144:72:48 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha, 180:90:60 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha, and site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) based nutrient expert model recommendation i.e., 140:40:40 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha) arranged in a split-plot design with three replications. Data on growth, yield attributes, and yield were analyzed by using R Studio. Growth was higher under the highest planting density and higher fertilizer levels applied treatments. The higher (p&lt;0.05) heat use efficiency was recorded under the highest planting density and the higher levels of fertilizer application. The final plant population was 5.33% lower in the plant density of 55556/ha, 8.8 and 15.7% lower respectively for plant densities of 66667/ha and 83333/ha. Both the barrenness and sterility percentage were higher (p&lt;0.05) for the highest planting densities and the lowest for the lowest plant density. Higher (p&lt;0.05) number of kernels per cobs were recorded in the lowest plant density and the highest amount of fertilizer application. For the lowest and the highest plant densities, the leaf area index increased the grain yield whereas longer grain filling duration and less amount of barrenness and sterility increased (p&lt;0.05) the grain yield for all plant densities. The final number of plant populations was the most important parameter to increase (p&lt;0.05) the yield under lower plant density whereas the number of kernels per row or cob was the most important attribute to increase (p&lt;0.05) the yield of maize under higher plant density. Due to a higher (p&lt;0.05) number of final plant populations and comparable yield attributes, the grain yield of the highest planting density was significantly (p&lt;0.05) higher. From the significant (p&lt;0.05) quadratic response of plant density on the grain yield, a density of 102,950 /ha was estimated as optimum. The increased in amount of fertilizers (144:72:48 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha, 180:90:60 N:P2O5:K2O kg/ha) gave higher grain yield. The plant densities of 66667/ha and 83333/ha were better whereas the present recommended dose of N: P2O5:K2O should be increased or need-based SSNM must be adopted to obtain the more profits from open-pollinated spring maize under the central inner Terai.

Comprehensive analysis of multiple mycotoxins and Aspergillus flavus metabolites in maize from Kenyan households

This study assessed the levels of mycotoxins in maize from Kenyan households. Further, local open pollinated maize varieties were compared with commercial hybrids to evaluate which variety is less susceptible to mycotoxin contamination. Four hundred and eighty (n = 480) maize samples were collected in the years 2018–2020 from households in Eastern, Western, Coastal and Lake Victoria regions of Kenya. Liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect and quantify 22 mycotoxins, along with 31 Aspergillus flavus metabolites in the samples. Eastern Kenya had the highest aflatoxin (AF) contamination with 75% of samples having AF levels above the Kenyan regulatory limits (10 μg/kg), the highest concentration was 558.1 μg/kg. In Western Kenya, only 18% of samples had concentration levels above the Kenyan regulatory limits for AF with highest sample having 73.3 μg/kg. The Lake Victoria region had the most fumonisins (F) contamination, with 53% of the samples having fumonisin B1 (FB1) < 1000 μg/kg. However, only 20% of the samples surpassed the Kenyan regulatory limit for total fumonisins (2000 μg/kg) with the highest concentration being 13,022 μg/kg. In addition, 21.6% of samples from the Lake Victoria region had zearalenone (ZEN) and deoxynivalenol (DON) above regulatory limits for European countries (1000 μg/kg). Western region had the least A. flavus metabolites contamination (18%) while the Eastern region had the highest incidence of A. flavus metabolites (81%). Among the A. flavus metabolites, cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), beta-cyclopiazonic acid (β CPA), flavacol (FLV) and methylcitreo-isocoumarin (MIC) positively correlated with each other but negatively correlated with the other metabolites. Significant positive co-occurrence was also noted among Fusarium mycotoxins: nivalenol (NIV) positively correlated with DON (r = 0.81), fusarenon-X (FX) (r = 0.81) and ZEN (r = 0.70). Negative correlations were observed between Aspergillus and Fusarium mycotoxins: aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) negatively correlated with FB1 (r = −0.11), FX (r = −0.17) and ZEN (r = −0.20). Local open-pollinated maize varieties (L-opv) were less susceptible to mycotoxin contamination compared to the commercial hybrids (C-hy). This study reveals that Kenyan maize is contaminated with multiple mycotoxins most of which are not regulated in Kenya despite being regulated in other parts of the world. A comprehensive legislation should therefore be put in place to protect the Kenyan public against chronic exposure to these mycotoxins. In addition to high yield, there is a need for commercial hybrid maize breeders to incorporate mycotoxin resistance as an important trait in germplasm improvement in seeds production.

Adoption Drivers of Improved Open-Pollinated (OPVs) Maize Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

This study assesses the determinants of adoption drivers of improved open-pollinated (OPVs) maize varieties by smallholder farmers in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Cross-sectional data of multi-stage random sampling was used to randomly select 150 smallholder farmers in the province. Data collection was conducted through a well-structured questionnaire administered to 150 smallholder farmers. Descriptive statistics and a logistic regression model were used for the analyses. The inferential results reveal that the majority of farmers in the study area were females (70%) with an average age of 45 years and had six people in the households. Smallholder maize farmers spent an average of 10 years in school. The results show that smallholder maize farmers had a farm size of 3 ha and a household income of R 3565.00, which contributes highly to household and farm operations. Farmers had access to extension services and were members of farm organizations. The results show that hybrid is the most used maize variety rather than OPVs. The main reason, among other things, for the poor use and adoption of OPVs is the lack of knowledge about the seeds. The results drawn from the estimations show that socio-economic and institutional factors influenced the adoption of OPVs by farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends strengthening the existing extension services to highlight the benefits of OPVs through training and farmers’ information days.

Assessment of Functional and Pasting Properties of Fresh Orange Maize Hybrids and Open-Pollinated Varieties as Influenced by Genotype, Harvesting Time, and Growing Location

The study evaluates the effects of genotype, maturity, and growing location on the functional and pasting properties of freshly harvested orange maize hybrids and open-pollinated varieties (OPVs). Eight fresh orange maize hybrid and eight fresh maize OPV, including the control, were harvested at three stages: 20, 27, and 34 days after planting (DAP). The freshly harvested maize samples were lyophilized and characterized for the pasting and functional properties using standard laboratory methods. The peak viscosity, final viscosity, and swelling power of the OPVs increased between 20 and 27 DAP. Additionally, the water absorption capacity increased between 20 and 27 DAP for the maize hybrids, with a decreasing trend between 27 and 34 DAP. However, genotypes 2, from the orange maize hybrid, and 5, amongst the OPV, were outstanding with the highest peak viscosities, indicating good final product quality. The combined ANOVA for the fresh orange maize hybrid and OPV showed a highly significant effect (p ≤ 0.01 and p ≤ 0.001) for the maturity and location on the pasting and functional properties except for the pasting temperature, final viscosity, and pasting time which showed no significant effect. In contrast, the location by genotypes by maturity interactions had no significant effects on the pasting and functional properties of the fresh maize hybrid and the orange OPV except only for the setback, which was highly significant at p ≤ 0.001. Nutritionists, food scientists, and maize breeders could use the information from this study to select the best maize genotypes at the appropriate harvesting period suitable for the production of the preferred maize-based products of consumers.

Genetic analysis of low-n traits in maize (Zea mays L) using triple test cross

Low-N maize variety is developed for its ability to tolerate low nitrogen soil environment. This experiment was conducted to study the genetic implication of Low-N maize variety for grain yield and related traits under low nitrogen soil conditions triple test cross analysis. Inbred lines used for the study were generated from twelve low nitrogen tolerance open pollinated maize varieties after six generations of selfing. Two inbred lines along with their F1 were used as testers for ten inbred lines in a triple test cross pattern to generate 30 crosses. The 30 crosses, their parents and the testers to State University, Ado-Ekiti during 2017 planting season. The experimental design was a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Data were collected on plant height, ear height, days to 50% anthesis, days to 50% silking, incidence of curvularia leaf spot, blight, plant aspect, ear aspect, ear rot, stay green, cob per plant, ear weight, grain moisture content and grain yield. All data were subjected to analysis of variance and complete genetic estimates. Additive and dominants were significant (P &lt; 0.05) for all traits; however, epitasis estimates were not significant for all the traits tested. The degree of dominance component indicated partial dominance for all the traits. Correlation coefficients for days to 50% anthesis and 50% silking, plant height, ear height, number of cobs per plant and grain yield were positive and significant (P &lt; 0.05). Since both additive and dominance gene actions were important for low-N traits, the use of reciprocal recurrent selection procedure can be adopted in incorporating the trait into elite maize varieties.

English

The maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motschulsky) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), is one of the most damaging pests of stored cereals causing severe damage to stored grains. In current investigation, six open pollinated maize varieties viz. JALAL (white), AZAM (white), SADAF (yellow), ZARD LOCAL (yellow), KASHMIRI (yellow) and PAHARI (white) were screened out in the laboratory of Entomology Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan, Pakistan for their relative susceptibility/resistance to maize weevil. The experiment was laid out following completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 replicates. Results revealed that minimum (23.8) days to adult emergence of maize weevil were recorded when it was reared on variety Azam; whereas; maximum (34.2) days were recorded on variety Sadaf. Total number of F1 adults emerged were maximum (91) in Azam while minimum (62) in variety Sadaf. Percent infestation of maize kernels was maximum (39.01%) in Azam while minimum (25.80%) was recorded in variety Sadaf. Percent weight loss was maximum in Azam i.e. 26.12% while minimum percent weight loss (16.88%) was recorded in Sadaf. Maximum longevity (68.4 days) of adult weevils was recorded on Azam while minimum (53.4 days) was recorded on variety Sadaf. All the tested varieties had no significant effect on the sex ratio of emerged weevils. High germination percentage was recorded in Sadaf (90%) whereas; low germination was found in Azam (57%). The grain hardness test indicated that yellow varieties including Sadaf, Zard local and Kashmiri had maximum hardness having 317, 302.33 and 296 N grain hardness, whereas; white varieties i.e. Pahari, Jalal and Azam had minimum values of grain hardness i.e. 264.33, 251.66 and 238.33 Newton. The present work has shown that Azam is the most susceptible variety and should not be stored for longer periods whereas; Sadaf is the resistant variety against maize weevil.

Broa, an Ethnic Maize Bread, as a Source of Phenolic Compounds.

Maize is an important source of phenolic compounds, specially hydroxycinnamic acids, which are widely known for their antioxidant activity and associated health benefits. However, these effects depend on their bioaccessibility, which is influenced by the different techniques used for food processing. Several traditional products can be obtained from maize and, in Portugal, it is used for the production of an ethnic bread called broa. In order to evaluate the effect of processing on maize phenolic composition, one commercial hybrid and five open-pollinated maize flours and broas were studied. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu and ORAC assays, respectively. The major phenolics, namely ferulic and p-coumaric acids (in their soluble-free, soluble-conjugated and insoluble forms), insoluble ferulic acid dimers and soluble hydroxycinnamic acid amides were quantitated. Results show that the total phenolic content, antioxidant activity and hydroxycinnamic acids resisted traditional processing conditions used in the production of broas. The content in soluble-free phenolics increased after processing, meaning that their bioaccessibility improved. Portuguese traditional broas, produced with open-pollinated maize varieties, can be considered an interesting dietary source of antioxidant compounds due to the higher content in hydroxycinnamic acids and derivatives.

Rediscovering ‘Mexican June’: a nearly extinct landrace maize (Zea mays L.) variety

‘Mexican June’ was a popular white, open-pollinated maize variety grown in the southwestern and southern USA. It was well adapted to both semi-arid and humid, hot environments and it was utilized for forage and grain. Its production waned with the maize hybrid revolution of the 1930s and 1940s—even though it was proven to outperform the new hybrids in hot, dry climates of the Southwest. The rising popularity of locally grown heirloom crops has increased interest in landrace varieties. There is also increasing focus on desert-adapted crop genetic resources as the need for more climate resilient crops is recognized. We tested the yield performance of six accessions of ‘Mexican June’ in comparison with organic certified commercial hybrids in southern New Mexico. We also documented several plant and ear traits to distinguish variation across the accessions. Several accessions yielded at or near commercial hybrid levels, attesting to the adaptation of ‘Mexican June’ to hot, semi-arid environments. This finding demonstrates that ‘Mexican June’ may prove useful in non-GMO production systems, and as a genetic resource for the improvement of abiotic stress tolerance in new, more resilient varieties. Variation in plant, ear, and kernel traits between accessions of ‘Mexican June’ was consistent with the hypothesis that there is not a single variety of ‘Mexican June’, but multiple varieties that form a complex.