The effects of drought on production of maize, the staple food crop, are of considerable concern in Kenya, where over 70% of land area is arid or semi-arid. Maize germplasm improvement has relied on open-pollinated cultivars selected for earliness to fit the short growing seasons in the semi-arid areas, though hybrids are widely used elsewhere. Semi-arid eastern Kenya receives 500-800 mm rainfall per annum; relatively low, of uncertain distribution, and bimodally distributed. Inter- and intra-population improvement procedures have been used to develop 'Katumani Composite B' (KCB) and 'Makueni Composite', both early-maturing with 61 and 55 days to 50% pollen shed, respectively, at Katuman. KCB is widely grown in eastern Africa, and has an average yield of 4 t/ha under well-watered conditions. Genotype evaluations have indicated that further improvement based on earliness beyond that of KCB will be limited. Development of drought tolerant germplasm with the maturity of KCB has been initiated. The approach taken involves incorporation of drought tolerant materials developed at CIMMYT into the locally adapted populations. Advances made, reflections on methodology, and approaches to germplasm development and improvement program are reviewed. Non-genetic strategies are also obviously necessary to maximize production of these early maturing, drought escaping and drought tolerant cultivars.

Global Maize Program

English

9802|AGRIS 9702

Jose Juan Caballero

INT2460

CIMMYT Publications Collection