ABU’s new maize variety to cope with climate change – Dr. Usman

As one of the members of the maize breeding team in ABU-IAR, what efforts are you putting to assist farmers to overcome the problem of climate change?In this department, that is Department of Plant Science, we are responsible for breeding different types of varieties in order to improve the agricultural sector generally through which our […]

As one of the members of the maize breeding team in ABU-IAR, what efforts are you putting to assist farmers to overcome the problem of climate change?
In this department, that is Department of Plant Science, we are responsible for breeding different types of varieties in order to improve the agricultural sector generally through which our farmers can be assisted in getting different varieties of maize, sorghum, groundnut and other crops.
Since my specialisation is maize, I would restrict myself to it. Our efforts in recent years are geared towards breeding and releasing different varieties of maize that are rich in their nutritious content and can be able to stand the climate challenges facing the country and the world at large.
Of recent, we have bred and released three varieties of maize – SAMMAZ 38, SAMMAZ 39 and most recently SAMMAZ 40. These varieties are rich in their nutritious content especially Vitamin A that is good for our health, especially children. The wisdom is to have maize variety that can assist our people to get the required nutrients in a situation where they don’t have the money to buy milk, fish and other requirements that their body needs for good health.We are giving emphasis to maize because it is the most common food suitable for most Nigerians. Therefore improving its nutritious value would mean a lot to the health of our people.
How are these new varieties different from others in terms of their maturity period?
SAMMAZ 40, which is our latest release, is yellow maize synthetic variety with tolerance to Striga Hermonthica and drought. It has yield potential of 7.1 tons per hectare. After planting, it tassels at 59 days and silks at 61 days across the entire 54 environment that it was tested.The variety was released at the recent meeting of the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties and Livestock Breeds and Fisheries meeting that took place at Ibadan.
Was this variety tested before it was released or do you intend to test it in the forthcoming farming season?   
No, before we release any variety of crop that variety has to follow all the required procedures. In fact that is what would allow it to become registered as a new variety. The variety was considered for release following extensive trials under artificial Striga infestation as well as under Striga free conditions. The trials were conducted with the synthetics in our on-station farms here in IAR. It was also conducted in other locations across the Guinea Savannah and it has shown its values and promises.Between 2009 and 2012, SAMMAZ 40 has been put on trials at on-farm conditions. During these trials, its Striga tolerance was confirmed. SAMMAZ 40 can be used as a major component of integrated approach to control the parasite in the Guinea Savannah where both drought and Striga Hermonthica occur together. Because of the climate change, our farmers need varieties that can reasonably tolerate drought and Striga. Therefore, SAMMAZ 40 and the recent varieties we have released have those values.
The variety is a synthetic one that is good for rotation with legumes as a component of integrated Striga control strategy. Our farmers would always applaud you and become enthusiastic whenever they hear that you have come up with a variety that can resist Striga. This Striga is what cripples most of our farmers. It is what we call wuta-wuta in Hausa.
Is there any difference in the maturity period of these new varieties from others?
Yes, of course. SAMMAZ 40 and the other varieties that we recently released usually take 110 -120 days to mature. As I said earlier, it tassels at 59 days and silks at 61 days after planting. It is a good variety that can give yield within the normal rainy season. In fact, with prediction of short rainy season, these new varieties can best suit this change. This is why we are happy with this progress that we have made.  
What is the pattern of fertiliser application for these new varieties?
Our farmers are now better educated in terms of fertiliser application. It is always advisable for farmers to desist from the local way of fertiliser application to the one that researches have sanctioned. By this, farmers stand to benefit more. When fertilisers are applied properly, it leads to better yields and saving of cost. It is therefore important for farmers to always consult on the type and quantity of fertiliser they should apply to different varieties of crops.
In summary, SAMMAZ 40 and the other varieties require the same amount of fertiliser that our farmers know but it is better if we are contacted for more lightenment and specification.
Can farmers succeed in growing these varieties by applying manure fertiliser alone?
It is possible, depending on the nature of the field and the nutrient content of the manure fertiliser. But it is always advisable if farmers convene the two; manure and chemical fertiliser. This leads to better yields.
What are the other advantages that these varieties have?
SAMMAZ 40, especially, has many advantages over the other varieties. It is none tillering with medium height. By medium height, the variety can resist wind.Because of its medium height, wind cannot make it to fall easily unlike the former varieties that have longer height. When a crop falls down, it would lead to losses because it would die prematurely. This is an advantage that this variety has.
The other advantages are that the variety has mid-ear placement and good husk cover. This is also very important because when a variety has good husk cover, it leads to prevention from pest. The cover is always sealed properly where penetration by pest becomes almost impossible among many other benefits.The variety also has pointed to round leaf tip, medium purple coloration of the brace roots and medium purple coloration of the anther.
These values make the variety more adaptable to the Nigerian Guinea Savannah and the Sahel areas.SAMMAZ 40 is a variety that was developed through collaboration with Drought Maize for Africa (DTMA) where eminent researchers made valuable contributions.