Nigeria
June 30, 2009
Source: Plant Breeding News*,
Edition 202
Contributed by Shehu G. Ado
Maize production in Nigeria has
given farmers adequate food and income, thus economic
empowerment. its potential for foreign exchange earnings are
great. It is in the light of this development that
Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, responsible for
genetic improvement of maize organized a national seminar at
which IAR Breeders and other takeholders, considered 27 new
maize varieties tested for different traits including high
yields, earliness, Striga resistance, drought and other stresses
tolerance and recommend them for release to farmers by the
National Committee for Registration and Release of crop
Varieties.
The Seminar was Chaired by the Head, Department of Plant
Science, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria, Dr M. F.
Ishiyaku who is a cowpea breeder. The seminar was attended by
stakeholders including the Executive Director, National
Agricultural Seed Council, Scientists from International
Institute of Tropical Agriculture, Ibadan, University of Ilorin,
Seed Companies, research staff and students and other National
Agricultural Research Institutes. The breakdown of the varieties
recommended is: Institute for Agricultural Research Samaru 3
varieties, Institute for Agricultural Research and Training
Ibadan 2 varieties, collaborative research and development
between IITA and National
Agricultural Research System produced 22 varieties and hybrids
including 6 devloped with Premier Seed Company . Prof S. G. Ado
presented those developed by IAR, Dr Ajala, those of IITA and
those in collaboration with Premier Seeds and the IAR. Dr Olaoye
presented those developed by IITA with University of Ilorin
while Dr. Olokojo presented those developed by IAR &T Ibadan.
The lagerly interactive seminar presentation drew comments,
suggestions and commendation from the audience:
- That plant breeders should
pick up the challenge to be releasing new crop varieties
with the same frequency as their counterparts in other parts
of Africa especially Southern and Eastern Africa.
- The seminar was attended
by Professor D. A Aba, Prof. C. A Echekwu, Prof. Smith of
Agronomy Department, among others.
- The seminar revealed how
maize keep on expanding the production frontiers attributed
to varieties that addresses different stresses including
drought and Striga.
The varieties were recommended for
different ecologies of Nigeria from the forest zone to sudan
savanna zone through the lowland and mid-attitude zones. Some of
the varieties are early maturing (95 days to maturity). Others
are medium 100 days to maturity while the rest are late maturing
(120 days to maturity). Some of the varieties have drought
tolerance to mitigate the effects of global warming and climate
change while others are Striga resistant or tolerant to
withstand the devastating effect of the witch weed.
*
Plant Breeding News
An Electronic
Newsletter of Applied Plant Breeding
Clair H. Hershey, Editor
Sponsored by
FAO/AGPC and Cornell University,
Dept. of Plant Breeding and Genetics |
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