Kari’s new maize seeds promise higher yields

The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (Kari) has released three new mid-altitude hybrid maize varieties, which researchers say guarantee farmers five to 10 per cent more yields.

The new breeds took Kari eight years to develop.

“These are conventional, not genetically modified,” said Phillip Leley, a breeding specialist, explaining why it took so long to develop the varieties.

The new varieties are resistant to Grey Leaf Spot, Maize Streak Viruses, and Turcicum Blight.

Research shows that the infections combined can reduce yields by 50 per cent per hectare.

A Kari research showed that farmers made losses of up to Sh28,000 per hectare due to maize streak viruses alone.

Different zones

The maturity time for the new varieties is four to five months and a hectare can yield six to eight tonnes of grain.

The maximum yield for current breeds is five tonnes or less per hectare.

The new breeds, KH500-48A, KH500-42A and KH500-49A have large cobs with 40 to 80 per cent more dry matter, making them viable for farmers keeping livestock.

The breeds are targeted at areas such as Embu, Kangundo, Kakamega, Kiambu and around Lake Victoria.

“All five series breeds are targeted at mid-altitude zones,” said Dr Leley.

According to the researcher, each maize species developed is suited for different agro-ecological zones.

He laments that due to lack of information, farmers at times plant breeds unsuited for their zones. This results in poor yields that disillusion them.

Katumani, Coast Composite or Pwani Hybrid breeds are suited to low altitude areas such as Kitui, Machakos, Kibwezi, and Mtwapa in Coast province.

They mature fast and can be harvested in three months.

But their yield is lower than for mid-altitude and high altitude regions.

In a season, the most a farmer can reap in low altitude regions is five tonnes per hectare.

However, in some regions farmers can be guaranteed of at least two planting seasons.

Maize growing in high altitude regions takes around six months to mature, and yields per hectare are quite high.

They range from eight to 10 tonnes per hectare.

The six series varieties such as 614, 625, 626, and 628 are best suited for such regions.

Less fertiliser

Kitale, Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Kericho and Upper Migori are suitable for the breeds.

Maize farmed in Kenya is conventional and not genetically modified. But in February, a project dubbed the Improved Maize for African Soils Project (IMAS) was launched with the aim of developing breeds using biotechnology.

The resultant breeds will need less fertiliser and will be affordable to farmers.

They will also effectively absorb nitrogen needed for grain production.

The project initiator, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, predicts that the breeds will increase yields by 30 to 50 per cent, even when grown in poor soils.

Farmers are expected to access the new seed varieties in the next four years.

Seed companies selling the newly released mid-altitude maize seeds are Olerai Limited and Leldet Kenya Limited. A 2kg packet retails at about Sh1,000.