Ibadan, Nigeria
December 18, 2008
Maize farmers in West and Central
Africa (WCA) could soon enjoy increased harvests and reduced
crop losses due to Striga with the introduction of two new
resistant varieties — TZLComp1Syn W-1 (Sammaz 16) and IWDC2SynF2
(Sammaz 15) — developed by IITA
in partnership with the Institute for Agricultural Research
(IAR), Zaria, Nigeria.
Sammaz 16, a late-maturing maize variety, produces 3.2 tons per
hectare under heavy Striga conditions. Even under extreme
infestation, harvest loss from this variety is less than 10%. It
also exhibits significantly less Striga damage and supports
fewer emerged parasites than the susceptible farmers' varieties.
It also has good plant and ear qualities and is highly-tolerant
to root and stalk lodging. The crop could be harvested within
110-120 days.
On the other hand, Sammaz 15, an intermediate-maturing variety,
could yield 4.42 tons per hectare, which is 23% higher than the
average production of local varieties under Striga infestation.
Aside from being resistant to the pest, Sammaz 15 is also
highly-tolerant to root and stalk lodging, has good ear and
plant aspects, and excellent husk cover. The crop is ready for
harvest 100-110 days after planting.
The varieties, which have been released early this month, were
tested in crop trials conducted by IITA and IAR in Northern
Nigeria. “The results of trials of Sammaz 15 and Sammaz 16 show
great potential for increased maize production not only in
Nigeria but also in other countries in the WCA Region by cutting
losses due to Striga and, consequently, boosting farmers'
incomes,” says Abebe Menkir, IITA maize breeder.
In the moist savannah of coastal and central Sub-Saharan Africa,
Striga, or witch-weed, causes maize yield losses amounting to
about US$ 7 billion yearly and adversely affecting the
livelihoods and food security of more than 130 million people
dependent on the crop in these regions. The parasitic plant is
endemic in Africa and constitutes the most important biotic
constraint to cereals production, with infested areas estimated
between 21 to 50 million hectares.
“There are several options available for the control of Striga
in maize, but the most economically-feasible, easily accessible,
safe and sustainable approach is the use of resistant or
tolerant cultivars that resource-poor farmers can cultivate
solely or in combination with cultural management options as
well as in rotation with legumes that promote suicidal Striga
germination,” adds Menkir.
In the past few years, buoyed by the recent global food crisis,
maize have seen a significant increase in demand, with
utilization of the crop for food, feed and other industrial uses
hitting well over 100 million tons per annum. Africa produces
about 26 million tons of maize annually, with Nigeria
contributing about 7 million tons. |
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