Country report: Zambia
Anonymous
Proceedings of the Fifth Eastern African Cereals Research Conference held in Malawi March 10-15, 1974 IV: ?; 292-295
1975
Document Number: 198744
Following the first cycle of recurrent selection on a local maize composite variety, yield increases of 5-10% have been observed. The female parent of the hybrid SR52 has been converted to the cytoplasmic male-sterile condition (Tcms) and the male parent of SR52 and 2HI (a three-way cross involving SR52 as the female parent) have been converted to the restorer-factor condition. However, maize containing Tcms has been severely attacked at Mount Hakulu by a race of Helminthosporium maydis (Cochliobolus heterostrophus) which does not attack other maize varieties. Other sources of cytoplasmic male sterility have therefore been obtained for incorporation into current hybrids. Local (ZCA) and exotic (ZCZ) material and the inbred parents of SR52 have been converted to the high-lysine opaque condition. Their available lysine has been determined as 4.1% of protein, as compared to 2.8% in normal maize. Current breeding programmes are also described.