Maize production constraints, traits preference and current<i>Striga</i>control options in western Tanzania: farmers’ consultation and implications for breeding

Lobulu, John; Shimelis, Hussein; Laing, Mark; Mushongi, Arnold

doi:10.1080/09064710.2019.1652680

Cited by 21 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 23 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Nonetheless, the production of maize in SSA is faced by a myriad of constraints including Striga hermonthica infestation, drought, and low soil fertility. The combined effects of these stresses often result in total loss of the maize crop [5,6]. The effects of climate change, because of global warming, has further increased the probability of these stresses to occur especially, drought [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Gains from Selection for Drought Tolerance during Three Breeding Periods in Extra-Early Maturing Maize Hybrids under Drought and Rainfed Environments

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Genetic gain studies in a breeding program are very important for measuring the efficiency of the program over a specific period. It also provides breeders with an understanding of the outcomes of the huge investments committed to the breeding programs. This study sought to (i) estimate the gains in grain yield under drought and rainfed conditions and (ii) identify high-yielding and stable hybrids developed in the last two decades under drought and rainfed conditions. Sixty extra-early maturing hybrids developed by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, during three breeding periods: (2008–2010, 2011–2013, and 2014–2016) were assessed under managed drought and rainfed conditions across 14 environments in Nigeria to estimate the genetic gains in grain yield using linear regression analysis. Considerably high genetic gains (4.1%) per year for grain yield was obtained for the extra-early maturing hybrids under drought environments. Six of the top ten hybrids identified were from period 3, an indication of the high genetic gains from selection in period 3. Additionally, two of the top six period 3 hybrids (TZEEI 29 × TZEEI 13) × TZEEI 64 and TZdEEI 64 × TZEEI 54 were found to be the best yielding and most stable across the 14 test environments and were highly recommended for extensive evaluations to warrant their commercialization in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic Gains from Selection for Drought Tolerance during Three Breeding Periods in Extra-Early Maturing Maize Hybrids under Drought and Rainfed Environments

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…A single plant can produce up to 500,000 tiny, dust-like seeds, which mature at different times [18,19]. The effectiveness of Striga seed dispersal mechanism, which include migrating or grazing animals, wind, runoff during the rainy season and contaminated seeds aggravate the situation [20][21][22]. Thus, every year some seeds germinate, some revert to dormancy and some remain in the soil unconditioned, while more seeds are added from the current generation of plants, endlessly enriching the soil seed bank [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, these practices are laborious and time-consuming, and are seldom effective against Striga because the most severe damage leading to yield loss occurs before the Striga plants emerge above the ground [28,29]. A range of cultural practices such as manure application, rotating cereal crops with legumes, the use of trap crops that induce abortive germination of Striga seeds, shifting cultivation and long fallowing, are useful in reducing Striga damage and improving soil fertility [22,30,31]. However, they are not feasible for most smallholder farmers in SSA due to their need to use all agricultural lands intensively.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Maize Genotypes (Zea mays L.) for Resistance to Striga asiatica and S. hermonthica and Compatibility with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae (FOS) in Tanzania

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Striga species cause significant yield loss in maize varying from 20 to 100%. The aim of the present study was to screen and identify maize genotypes with partial resistance to S. hermonthica (Sh) and S. asiatica (Sa) and compatible with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae (FOS), a biocontrol agent. Fifty-six maize genotypes were evaluated for resistance to Sh and Sa, and FOS compatibility. Results showed that FOS treatment significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced Striga management compared to the untreated control under both Sh and Sa infestations. The mean grain yield was reduced by 19.13% in FOS-untreated genotypes compared with a loss of 13.94% in the same genotypes treated with FOS under Sh infestation. Likewise, under Sa infestation, FOS-treated genotypes had a mean grain yield reduction of 18% while untreated genotypes had a mean loss of 21.4% compared to the control treatment. Overall, based on Striga emergence count, Striga host damage rating, grain yield and FOS compatibility, under Sh and Sa infestations, 23 maize genotypes carrying farmer preferred traits were identified. The genotypes are useful genetic materials in the development of Striga-resistant cultivars in Tanzania and related agro-ecologies.

show abstract

“…Focus group discussions (FGDs) were used to understand the socio-economic profiles of the targeted villages/communities, the main economic activities, crop and livestock production constraints, and how these constraints are tackled locally [49]. Farmers' perceptions of the technology's benefits and possible adoption challenges were investigated, and an emphasis was placed on maize production constraints.…”

Section: Focus Group Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of Push–Pull Technology in Low-Fertility Soils under Conventional and Conservation Agriculture Farming Systems in Malawi

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Push–pull technology (PPT) is one of the most viable low-cost agroecological practices that reduces the effects of insect pest infestations (e.g., stemborer) and parasitic weeds (e.g., Striga) in croplands. PPT was evaluated in low-fertility soils and two farming practices, minimum-tilled conservation agriculture practice (CA), and conventionally tilled practice (CP), in contrasting agroecological zones at the Chitedze, Mbawa, and Chitala stations in Malawi. Stemborer and Striga infestations were also investigated and the suitability levels of two Desmodium species. Farmers’ perceptions of PPT were gathered through a focus group discussion. The performance of PPT varied significantly between treatments, sites, and years on grain yields and the number of cobs that could be assigned to soil attributes. Significant variations were found in the number of exit holes, stemborer damage severity, and the number of Striga-affected plants with severe infestation. In Chitedze, CP recorded significantly shorter maize plants by 14.1, 11.6, and 5.8 cm than CP–PP, CA, and CA–PP, respectively, in 2016–2017. There were no significant differences in plant height between CP–PP, CA, and CA–PP. Similar results were also found in 2017–2018. Focus group discussions among farmers attested to up to 70% reductions in Striga weed and stemborer pests under PPT over the two seasons. Farmers who used push–pull technology reported a 45–50% yield increase. Push–pull was also perceived as a technology that improves soil fertility and controls soil erosion. The study presented the importance of soil physicochemical properties in the performance of the technology, as supported by the high occurrence of Striga asiatica in the country and the low suitability of Greenleaf Desmodium. Results reaffirmed the technology’s agronomic benefits in productivity, pest management, plant vigour, and Striga control. The cost of labour was described as a challenge, and research to identify more suitable Desmodium species is needed. The current study suggests the release of the technology in Malawi, emphasizing the inclusion of Desmodium and Brachiaria as animal fodder for the adoption of the technology.

show abstract

Maize production constraints, traits preference and currentStrigacontrol options in western Tanzania: farmers’ consultation and implications for breeding

Cited by 21 publications

References 23 publications

Genetic Gains from Selection for Drought Tolerance during Three Breeding Periods in Extra-Early Maturing Maize Hybrids under Drought and Rainfed Environments

Genetic Gains from Selection for Drought Tolerance during Three Breeding Periods in Extra-Early Maturing Maize Hybrids under Drought and Rainfed Environments

Characterization of Maize Genotypes (Zea mays L.) for Resistance to Striga asiatica and S. hermonthica and Compatibility with Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. strigae (FOS) in Tanzania

Performance of Push–Pull Technology in Low-Fertility Soils under Conventional and Conservation Agriculture Farming Systems in Malawi

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About