Variability of Grain-filling Traits in Early Maturing CIMMYT Tropical Maize Inbred Lines

Grain-filling rate (GFR), effective grain-filling duration (EGFD) and total grain-filling duration (TGFD) are important physiological traits of maize (Zea mays L.) grain yeild (GY) formation. To devise effective breeding strategies, the genetic nature of these traits is pre-requisite for improvement in early maturing maize

Estimation of optimum plot dimensions and replication number for wheat experimentation in Ethiopia

Bread wheat was row and broadcast sown using uniform crop management practices on a research station soil classified as a haplic Nitisol, situated in a major wheat producing region of Ethiopia, during the 1996 and 1997 crop seasons. The harvested area was divided into basic units measuring 1 m by 1 m. Resultant basic unit grain yields were combined to simulate different plot sizes and shapes, and Smith's empirical model and subsequent derivations were used to estimate soil heterogeneity. The broadcast sown trials generally resulted in lower estimates of soil heterogeneity, higher coefficients of variation, and higher values for adjacent plot correlation due to both modified inter-plant competition, and a more variable distribution of wheat plants and basal fertiliser within plots. Parameter estimates from the broadcast sown trials were less consistent over the two year trial period relative to those from the row sown trials. The analyses suggested a marginal superiority for square plot shapes for broadcast sown trials, while for row sown trials rectangular and square plot shapes were equally precise in measuring soil heterogeneity. A comparison of the trial design parameters currently favoured by wheat researchers in Ethiopia with the optimal parameters estimated in the current study suggests that: (a) the design characteristics of broadcast sown wheat agronomic trials appear close to optimal, but (b) the net plot areas harvested from row sown wheat breeding trials are markedly suboptimal. Key Words: Heterogeneity (African Crop Science Journal: 2000 8(1): 11-24

Agro-ecological decision support systems for wheat improvement in Ethiopia: Climatic characterisation and clustering of wheat growing regions

(African Crop Science Journal: 1999 7(1): 9-20

The effects of several crop management factors on bread wheat yields in the Ethiopian highlands

(African Crop Science Journal, 1997 5(2): 161-174

Genetic gains in early maturing maize hybrids developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center in Southern Africa during 2000–2018

Genetic gain estimation in a breeding program provides an opportunity to monitor breeding efficiency and genetic progress over a specific period. The present study was conducted to (i) assess the genetic gains in grain yield of the early maturing maize hybrids developed by the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT) Southern African breeding program during the period 2000–2018 and (ii) identify key agronomic traits contributing to the yield gains under various management conditions. Seventy-two early maturing hybrids developed by CIMMYT and three commercial checks were assessed under stress and non-stress conditions across 68 environments in seven eastern and southern African countries through the regional on-station trials. Genetic gain was estimated as the slope of the regression of grain yield and other traits against the year of first testing of the hybrid in the regional trial. The results showed highly significant (p< 0.01) annual grain yield gains of 118, 63, 46, and 61 kg ha−1 year−1 under optimum, low N, managed drought, and random stress conditions, respectively. The gains in grain yield realized in this study under both stress and non-stress conditions were associated with improvements in certain agronomic traits and resistance to major maize diseases. The findings of this study clearly demonstrate the significant progress made in developing productive and multiple stress-tolerant maize hybrids together with other desirable agronomic attributes in CIMMYT’s hybrid breeding program