Identification of New Maize Germplasm for the Kenya Highlands

The kenyan highlands maize project (KHMP) evaluated 489 genotypes contained in nine trials obtained from the highlands maize gene pool ( HMGP) project of CIMMYT-Ethiopia. The trial consisted of three-way and top cross hybrids with streak resistance. similarly, 878 genotypes including single, three-way, and top crosses, were evaluated in 19 trials sourced from thehighlands maize programme of CIMMYT-Mexico. Genotypes from CIMMYT-Mexico were grouped into five maturity groups of late transitional zone (5 trials), intermidiate transitional zone (2 trials), late highland zone (4 trials) ,intermidiate highland zone (1 trial), and early highland zone(7 trials). All genotypes were white grained which is in conformity with the preferenceof the Kenyan farmers. These trials were evaluated at two sites, National Agricultural Research Centre, Kitale, and Moi University farm Chepkoilel campus, Eldoret to identify genotypes that performed well under the local conditions in grain yield per se, maturity and height. The evaluation results identified germplasm equal or superior to the performance of the local check varieties, indicating that germplasm could be selected to increase yield .Even though some of the genotypes indicated significant improvement for silk dalay, stalk and root lodge , and reduced ear height, additional improvement is required to facilitate local use of the germplasm. Selection criteria in the genotypes evaluated were based on average grain yield (> 0r 7.0t/ha), early maturirty, and reduced ear heights. The componets of the selected gynotypes will be used in the programme for the development of desirable genotypes with reduced maturity and height