| dc.description.abstract | Maize is a staple food crop for about 90% of Kenyans. Its production by smallholder
farmers often plays a vital role in food security and alleviating poverty. Grey Leaf
Spot (GLS) caused by Cercospora zeae maydis significantly reduces maize yields in
farmers' fields. This study was carried out at three sites (KARI-Kiboko, Kabete Field
Station and KARI-Kakamega) in 2006 to determine the combining abilities for yield.
(j·LS resistance and other traits among seven selected maize inbred Iines CIVIL:204,
CML 312. CML 373, CML 384, TZfv1I 102. TZMI 711 and TZIVII 712. Griffing's
method one and model one of diallel analysis was used for data analysis using the
SAS program.
Significant differences were noted for most traits indicating that the good entries
obtained in this work could be used as suitable testers in future breeding efforts.
Different lines performed differently across the different sites; CML 373 with
3.16THa-1 and 2.83THa-1 was the highest yielder in KARI-Kiboko and KARIKakamega
respectively whereas TZMI 711 with 8.43THa-1was the highest yielder in
Kabete Field Station. However, CML 384 was the most stable highest yielding entry
across environments implying that it had a high frequency of yield improvement
genes. CML 373 and TZMI 711 had high GLS resistance. CML 373 and TZMI 711,
which had high frequency of GLS resistance genes, could be used as male and female
in hybrid combinations to impart GLS disease resistance in the elite maize
germplasm. Non significant correlations were noted for GLS disease resistance and
other diseases. The resistance genes in TZMI 711 and CML 373 should be pyramided
into one good line to develop multiple disease resistant lines, for future development
of open pollinated varieties and hybrids. | en |
