Evaluation of Maize (Zea mays L.) Varieties in Selected Lowland Areas of Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Drought and high temperature are among the major factors limiting maize productivity in Sub-Saharan Africa. An increase in temperature above 30°C reduces yield by 1% under optimal rain-fed conditions. Approaches that improve performance under drought and high temperatures are essential to sustain productivity. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the performance of improved maize varieties released for lowland areas and to select better-performing varieties to address climate-crosscutting issues. Eight lowland maize varieties at two locations for two years were tested by using a randomized complete block design during the 2017 and 2018 cropping seasons. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences ( p < 0.05 ) between varieties for all the studied variables over years across locations. The interaction of locations with varieties was nonsignificant for grain yield, cob length, and cob number. The mean grain yield indicated that the variety Melkassa-6Q is a high yielder compared to others with 3284 kg grain yield per hectare. This variety had a 35% yield advantage over the check. The variety is, therefore, highly recommended in the study areas.

Molecular Detection of Fusarium species infected Corn in Kurdistan region-Iraq

“…Also corn is used to producing food for human and animal feeding, in many manufacturing industries. As well as corn may grow in a variety of climatic regions around the world, known as variable yields [5,6] . Corn is separated from different grain products with the rate of carotenoids and its content of oils, starch, and protein content, which gives it high nutritional content for animal and human infection related [4,5,6] .…”

“…As well as corn may grow in a variety of climatic regions around the world, known as variable yields [5,6] . Corn is separated from different grain products with the rate of carotenoids and its content of oils, starch, and protein content, which gives it high nutritional content for animal and human infection related [4,5,6] . Different fungal pathogens attack maize plant, one of them is ear rot, which is brought on by Fusarium species and whose occurrence is primarily influenced by environmental factors like temperature, relative humidity, carbon dioxide, oxygen, substrate composition, and occasional rainfall, as well as agronomic factors like the use of pesticides and the susceptibility of particular plant varieties [7,8,9] , seasonal weather, the genotype of the host, and insect activity are only a few of the variables that might affect the infection of corn grain by fungal pathogens on the farm.…”

“…Some strains can also produce mycotoxins, harming plants infected before harvest [16,17] . Following it, Mycotoxin-tainted corn eating may result in a range of serious harmful effects in both animals and humans [14,5] . Fusarium species infect the maize during the middle of June and at the beginning of August when the maize is planted again for the second time [21] ; maybe the Fusarium species return and cause plant disease in some areas according to temperature, especially when temperature decreases during fall on September [22] .…”