TY  - PRO
AU  - Magongwa,S.M.
AU  - Lengwati,M.D.
AU  - Mathews,C.
AU  - Ogola,J.B.O.
AU  - Magorokosho,C.
TI  - Evaluation of early maturing open polinated (EPOP) maize lines in Mpumalanga, South Africa
PY  - 2011///
PB  - African Crop Science Society
KW  - CIMMYT
KW  - Grain yield
KW  - Lodging
KW  - plant height
N1  - Abstract only
N2  - Maize is the major grain crop produced by smallholder resource-poor farmers, cropping the more marginal lands in Mpumalanga Province. Therefore low input technologies are critical for maize yield improvements in this region. Consequently, this study aimed at evaluating the agronomic performance hence adaptation of early maturing open pollinated varieties (OPVs) under low input system in a dry environment in Mpumalanga. Field experiments were conducted at Nelspruit (250 26' 25" S, 300 58' 57" E and 676 m above sea level) and Kliplaatdrift (25° 15' 0" S, 29° 1' 48"E and 1060 m a.s.l) in Mpumalanga province, South Africa in 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 cropping seasons. Thirty nine (2008/2009 season) and thirty six (2009/2010) elite lines/varieties were evaluated using an alpha-lattice design with three replications. Each plot consisted of 2 plant rows, each 5.1m long and 90cm apart. Plant height, height to ear, number of cobs, lodging and grain yield were determined at maturity. The results showed the yield potential of the entries VP0715, VP0717, VP0719, VP0730, VP0734, VP0739 and O7SADVE3 over the locally released varieties (ZM421 and ZM521). These outstanding varieties from the current study will be tested further by volunteer farmers in on-farm trials in the coming season
ER  -