A sufficient database of seed yield components is the prerequisite to predict which component contributes most to the seed yield complex and to dissect the biology of the complex quantitative trait seed yield. Phenotypic variation of eleven vegetative and reproductive traits was characterized for 2481 individuals from fifty Lolium perenne L. (perennial ryegrass) ecotypes and cultivars. Considerable levels of among-and within-population variation were found across several inflorescence characters. Principal component and canonical variate analysis separated ecotypes from cultivars, and cultivars generally had later dates of ear emergence, better spring and summer growth, longer rachis length and more spikelets per spike than ecotypes. Strong positive relationships were seen between inflorescence characters using both correlation and regression analyses. The strong relationship between rachis length and other inflorescence characters suggested that rachis length could be used as a performance predictor for several other characters of the spike. This phenotypic study has helped to determine basic patterns of morphological diversity and correlations between characters. It is discussed in which way further developmental genetic studies can be directed.

Recurrent drought is one of the major constraints to maize production in West Africa. It can be devastating if it occurs for a long period, especially during flowering. Hybrid maize varieties that are tolerant to drought are not available. Therefore, many farmers in Mali have not yet adopted hybrid maize varieties. In this study, maize inbreds and hybrids were evaluated for their tolerance to drought and the gene effects conditioning performance under both drought and no drought conditions were studied to identify hybrids tolerant to drought stress that could be released. The association of inbred root characteristics and tolerance to drought was also evaluated.Hybrids generated from crosses between thirteen inbred lines were evaluated for drought tolerance. Seventy-eight hybrids and two checks were evaluated under water stress and non-water stress conditions across four environments during the off-season of 2010. The seventy-eight hybrids were obtained from a diallel cross of thirteen parents. The test sites included: Farako (10°50'00'' North 6°51'0'' West), Sotuba (12°39'47''North 7°54'50'' West) and Yanfolila (11°11'0'' North 8°9'0''). Two planting dates were used to create two different environments at Farako. The experiment consisted of a split-plot with water regime as the main plot and hybrids as the sub plots. The water regime consisted of a well watered plot where irrigation was supplied through-out the plant cycle and a drought imposed plot where irrigation was stopped 40 days after planting for 20 days. The sub-plots consisted of the 78 hybrids and checks arranged in an alpha lattice with two replications. Water stress increased anthesissilking interval resulting in reduced grain yield. Hybrid V841-73/9071 had the lowest grain yield reduction (35.3%) due to water stress, followed by CML 505/1368 (41.9%). Line 9071 has good root weight and good root number under stress while line1368exhibited good root number, good root length and good root weight under stress. The following Genotypes9071/CML442; CML442/TZ COMP3-C2-S2, 87036/CML442, CML505/1368, V481-73/CML442, C11O-5/9071, J-16-1/TZ COMP3-C2-S2 and CML444/87036 performed well under both well watered and water stress conditions. The inbreds 9071 and CML442 exhibited the highest frequency of appearance as parents among the best hybrids both under well watered and water stress conditions demonstrating their superior SCA with some of the other parental inbreds studied here.

The effects of cooking and milling of grains from 14 maize cultivars on the characteristics of fine flours were studied in a factorial experimental design. Wet milling significantly increased (P<0.05) fine flour (<400 microns) yields, water absorption capacity at 90°C, solubility index at 25°C, swelling capacity at 95°C and least gel forming concentration. Fine flour composition and functionality were variety dependant. Maize cultivars producing similar fine flours in terms of functionality were classified into three groups: ATP SR-Y, ADV NCRE, CMS 9015, and 88094M131Exp124 for group 1; CMS 8704, CMS 8501, CMS 8806, PDY and ASPY for group 2; and the last group comprising K9351, 87036Exp124, CMS 2019. The specific functional properties maize cultivars should be taken into account in the formulation of pre-cooked weaning food from fine flours.