As part of your Maize Farming Process, how do you select the right maize seed variety to grow in Kenya’s coast and lowland areas?
Did you know the maize seed variety you select directly affects the amount of crop you harvest?
Plant breeding produces different maize seed varieties and aims to maximize the amount of yield that different regions can achieve under different circumstances.
Some varieties to consider when growing maize in coastal and lowland regions include:
1.KCB (Katumani Composite B)
This variety is an option that farmers in predominantly dry areas can opt for because of its features, which include:
- An early maturing variety and the crop will take 85-95 days to reach full maturity.
- Tolerant to droughts, hence will allow the farmers to get a crop in the predominantly dry areas.
- A yield of 3–4 tons per hectare or 13-17 bags per acre, while the seed rate when planting is at 25kg per hectare or 10kg per acre.
- Has a good husk cover, which helps control the level of infestation by post-harvest pests such as the maize weevil and large grain borer.
- Open-pollinated which increases genetic variation hence diseases spread less than in genetically identical plants.
2.KH125-03 MDR
- Optimum altitude for growth ranges from 0 to 900
- Takes about 120–130 days to reach full maturity after planting
- High yield of 4.2–6.4 per hectare, while the seed rate when planting is 10kg per acre.
- White cob colour.
- Remains green even when it is fully mature
- Resistant/tolerant to various diseases named Green Leaf spot, Maize Streak Virus, and Leaf Blight.
- Resistant /tolerant to the stem borer.
- Tolerant to drought.
3.KH125-01 SG Katumani
- Takes about 60–72 days to reach full maturity after planting
- Yield is 4.5–6.2 per hectare, while the seed rate when planting is 10kg per acre.
- Optimum altitude for growth ranges from 0 to 900
- A white and intermediate grain colour.
- Remains green even when it is fully mature
- Resistant/tolerant to Green Leaf spot, Maize Streak Virus, and Leaf Blight.
- Short and well adapted to heavier soils.
- A good husk cover, which helps control the level of infestation by post-harvest pests.
- Strong stem exhibits low plant lodging.
4.KDH414-09 (Ukamez-5)
- The optimal production altitude range is 800 -1600 M above sea level.
- Takes 3.6-4.5 months to mature.
- Grain yield ranged from 4.9 to 9.4t/ha.
- Kernel colour: White,
- Plants’ foliage stays green even at maturity.
- Tolerant to Green Leaf Spot, Maize Mosaic Virus, and blight.
- Tolerant to Stem Borer.
- Tolerant to drought
Read More about Step 1: Site Selection
