Tanzania Agricultural Research Institute

ACCELERATING GENETIC GAINS IN MAIZE AND WHEAT FOR IMPROVED LIVELIHOODS 

Introduction 

It is an ongoing research project which started in 2021 under the fund from CIMMYT. During the implementation of two AGG-CIMMYT sub grants namely: 1. “Development of adaptive maize genotypes for improved seed access in low and mid altitude ecologies in Tanzania”, and 2. “Production and maintenance of highly demanded and adaptive WE 4106 maize hybrid for low-medium ecologies.” The out puts for Sub grant 1 include: 20 single crosses, 68 top crosses, maintained 113 conventional lines (S6 fixed lines = 50, IL&CKL = 63), 63 old DH CIMMYT lines; and characterized new 347 DH CIMMYT lines. 

Luckily, under sub grant 2 support, 1ha of three parents for hybrid WE 4106 i.e. CML 539/CML 442//CKDHL 431 was planted and expected to be harvested in 2022 season. The seed produced will be linked to the seed companies to initiate commercialization process. Furthermore, 15 inbred lines were also assembled from TARI Uyole.

Objectives of the project:-

• Evaluate new maize hybrids developed during 2021 off-season.

• Maintain genetically fixed inbred lines developed through conventional and DH approaches.

• Screen new DH and existing lines for their potential use in Maize Improvement Program.

Target of the project:-

• Preliminary evaluation of 20 single- and 68 top crosses making the total of 88 hybrids at TARI Ilonga Maize Breeding Nursery during offseason of year 2022. We target best 8 Top cross hybrids from the Preliminary Yield Trial (PYT) which will be available for Advanced Yield Trial stage (AYT) in the subsequent cropping seasons. We target 6 best single crosses to initiate the variety release process.

• Produce 100 three-way crosses using 14 F1 hybrids developed in previous season

• Maintain 176 inbred lines (conventional and old DH CIMMYT lines).

• Further characterization and test crossing of new 347 DH CIMMYT and 15 Uyole lines for potential use in hybridization program.