| Abstract |
Although maize is important for agriculture and livelihoods in eastern and southern Africa, its productivity is low, being only 1.3 t/ha compared 4.9 t/ha worldwide. Insect pests in the field and in storage are among the factors that reduce yields and food availability in eastern and southern Africa. Various species of stem borers typically cause maize losses to about 15% each in susceptible germplasm in the infested ecologies, while storage pests, the maize weevil (MW) (Sitophilus zeamais), and larger grain borer (LGB) (Prostephanus trancutus) cause more wide-spread losses estimated at 20–30%. Host plant resistance (HPR) to storage pests is embedded in the seed using conventional breeding, and is, therefore, the easiest control method for farmers, as well as the most environmentally safe. Despite the heavy loss caused by stem borers and storage pests in Africa, few maize improvement programs include breeding for resistance, attributed to the genetic and logistical challenges posed by screening and selection for insect resistance. Through IRMA II and other efforts, maize germplasm resistant to stem borers was developed by CIMMYT and its partners. IRMA III Conventional Project begun in March 2009, aimed at sharing the benefits from IRMA II to eight countries that are major producers and consumers of maize in the eastern and southern regions of Africa where insect pests have the greatest impact on maize production, food and income security, and livelihoods. Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique. Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe together hold a population of > 190 million people, which is also projected to be > 230 M by 2015. |
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