Field Evaluation of Some Varieties/Accessions of Maize for Their Performances in a Derived Savannah Belt of Nigeria

Vegetation growth is functionally dependent on climate. Though increased yields have been attained through plant breeding, yet it is well established that genetic factors alone cannot cause a plant character to develop to its maximum potential without a favorable environment. Plants can be made to adapt to conditions which deviate from their natural habitat through breeding and acclimatization. Three local, Oba super-2 hybrid and seventeen maize accessions/varieties newly developed by the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR) Samaru Zaria, in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), for the northern guinea savanna belt, were evaluated for their relative yield performances in the derived savanna belt of Nigeria. The assessments were carried out at the Department of Crop Science teaching and research farm, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Parameters assessed include field germination percentage, days to first tassel appearance, days to fifty percent tassel appearance, days to fifty percent silking, percentage, double cob per stand, percentage triple cob per stand, plant height, days to maturity, percentage harvest index, cob weight, grain weight per ear e.tc. Correlation and path analysis were used to ascertain the degree of association of traits with yield. Biomass weight was observed to have the highest direct positive influence on yield. Therefore, varieties with high biomass weight (Sammaz-14, 17 and 18) consistently produced high yield. This results could be useful to breeders as they work to produce maize varieties that will perform better in the derived savanna zone of the country. That will make for increased availability and choice of planting materials for farmers and ultimately, increased productivity and sustainability of maize production in the derived Savanna Zones of Nigeria. Further screening of these accessions should also be encouraged in the zone until adaptation is established.