Due to the low biological value of proteins of common maize, it was reinitiated breeding for high protein quality maize (HQPM) using three genetic systems, namely: opaque-2 gene, endosperm modifier genes and enhancer genes, which are increasing lysine and tryptophan content in opaque-2 background In order to alleviate effect of abiotic and biotic stress factors, the genotypes with tolerance to those factors were included. Genetic resources originating from North, Central and South America, then West, Central and Southern Africa and gene bank of Maize Research Institute “Zemun Polje” were used. Combining breeding approaches in selection of genetic resources, field plot techniques and laboratory analysis, it was created large number of early QPM varieties, inbred lines and hybrids with modified endosperm and high yield potential under poor and good growing conditions. Created lines exhibited high combining ability in conventional and non-conventional hybrids. Yield trials showed that QPM hybrids are competing with commercial hybrids of common maize

Maize is the principal crop and major staple food in the most countries of Sub-Saharan Africa. However, due to the influence of abiotic and biotic stress factors, maize production faces serious constraints. Among the agro-ecological conditions, the main constraints are: lack and poor distribution of rainfall; low soil fertility; diseases (maize streak virus, downy mildew, leaf blights, rusts, gray leaf spot, stem/cob rots) and pests (borers and storage pests). Among the socio-economic production constraints are: poor economy, serious shortage of trained manpower; insufficient management expertise, lack of use of improved varieties and poor cultivation practices. To develop desirable varieties, and thus consequently alleviate some of these constraints, appropriate breeding approaches and field-based methodologies in selection for multiple stress tolerance, were implemented. These approaches are mainly based on: a) Crossing selected genotypes with more desirable stress tolerant and other agronomic traits; b) Using the disease/pest spreader row method, combined with testing and selection of created progenies under strong to intermediate pressure of drought and low soil fertility in nurseries; and c) Evaluation of the varieties developed in multi-location trials under low and "normal" inputs. These approaches provide testing and selection of large number of progenies, which is required for simultaneous selection for multiple stress tolerance. Data obtained revealed that remarkable improvement of the traits under selection was achieved. Biggest progress was obtained in selection for maize streak virus and downy mildew resistance, flintiness and earliness. In the case of drought stress, statistical analyses revealed significant negative correlation between yield and anthesis-silking interval, and between yield and days to silk, but positive correlation between yield and grain weight per ear

Strip intercropping in crops can influence insect population activity, increasing or decreasing the population number of pests and natural enemies. For this purpose, the effect of intercropping in strips in the crops of (Maize with nhemba beans, Holoco beans and Crotalaria Juncea) on the management of the funnel caterpillar (Spodoptera Frungiperda) on the corn crop (Zea mays L.) was evaluated. received no chemical treatment. A field trial was established in four different agro-ecological zones with a randomized complete block design (DBCC), with four replicates, and in each replicate with four treatments for a total of 16 treatments, each plot had intercropped legumes and maize where the maize was in the two central rows and the various legumes served as a barrier, four cuts, one of each repetition being pure maize. After corn emergence, all treatments were monitored weekly, counting the funnel caterpillar population and other pests and natural enemies. However, the natural enemies were found more in the plots with the intercropped crop than in pure corn. Pure corn was the most attacked by the caterpillar in relation to intercropped corn, which had the highest yield. There were no significant differences in yield between pure maize (control) and maize intercropped with cowpea, holoco bean and Crotalaria juncea in the three locations only in Gurué.