The CIMMYT highland maize program develops improved germplasm for approximately 6.3 million hectares of highland maize in the developing world (Beck 2001). Almost half of the developing world's highland maize is found in Mexico. Maize is an important staple food crop in the major highland growing areas worldwide, typically located at 1,800 masl or higher. Major abiotic constraints of highland maize include cold temperatures, frost, hail, and drought. Prindpal biotic constraints are Puccinia sorghi rust, E. turcicum leaf blight, and Fusarium ear and stalk rots (Eagles and Lothrop 1994). Grey leaf spot (Cercospora maydis) can be a major problem in transition zone environments. Insects are not usually a problem in highland environments, although com earworm can cause significant damage, particularly on soft endosperm materials. The myriad of highland environments and resulting genotype by environment (G x E) interactions, coupled with farmer requirements for grain texture, color, and size, present Significant challenges for breeding. At present, in most highland environments there is widespread use of unimproved local varieties and limited use of improved open pollinated varieties (oPY) and hybrids.

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0311|AGRIS 0301|AL-Maize Program

CIMMYT Staff Publications Collection