Two extra-early maturing hybrids with combined resistance/tolerance to Striga, drought, and low soil nitrogen have been released in Nigeria by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) in Nigeria. The extra-early hybrids originally known as IITA Hybrid EEWH-21 and IITA Hybrid EEWH-26 and now designated as Ife Maizehyb-5 and Ife Maizehyb-6 were developed by IITA, and tested extensively in Nigeria in partnership with IAR&T, through the funding support of the Drought Tolerant Maize for Africa (DTMA) Project. The DTMA Project is executed by CIMMYT and IITA with funds provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Two extra-early maturing white maize hybrids released in Nigeria

Two mutants of Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus) derived from gamma irradiation of Cuba 108 (Mutant 1) and Tainung-1 (Mutant 2), their parents and two landraces were evaluated for maturity period and fiber yield traits in the forest, derived and southern Guinea savannah agroecologies of southwest Nigeria. Mutant 2 was consistently late maturing across locations with an average of 80 days compared to 71 in the parent. Fiber yield and maturity period were highest in forest and lowest in Southern Guinea savannah agro-ecologies due to photoperiod and rainfall differences. Mutant 2 was most stable, and had the highest mean value of 26,158kg/ha for fiber yield followed by 17,611kg/ha in Mutant 1. Mutant 2 is suspected to be photo-insensitive and recommended for equatorial climates.

Se evaluaron seis lineas de maiz QPM en relacion a su contenido de lisina y triptofano y su valor para cultivo en zonas agroecologicas de Nigeria. Los resultados muestran que las lineas de maiz QPM tuvieron una gran variacion en cuanto a su contenido de proteina, zeina, lisina y triptofano (P<0.01). El contenido de proteina cruda oscilo de 6.22 a 8.75%, mientras que lisine y triptofano se encontraron en el rango de 3.31 a 3.72 y 0.49 a 0.87 respectivamente. La lisina estuvo correlacionada con la zeina y triptofano con la proteina cruda. Se encontro un efecto de localidad para altura de la planta. La produccion de grano vario de 0.25 en Amakama a 4.50t/ha en Ibadan. ART98-SW6-OB e ILE1-OB parecen ser las variedades superiores y con un mayor contenido de lisina y triptofano. Otras caracteristicas agronomicas y bioquimicas son discutidas

The response of two local, eleven improved and one exotic accessions of kenaf to daylength was determined by their increase in vegetative growth after flowering in 2004. Seven out of the fourteen accessions were planted every 4 months in 2005 to determine their sensitivity to natural variations in daylength, temperature, solar radiation and relative humidity in terms of days to flower initiation, percentage gain in height after flowering and fibre yield. The plants took longer days to flower at longer daylength and higher temperature. Differences among accessions were significant for all traits in 2004. Days to flowering were more in December than in April and August, the number of days differing among accessions. Percentage gain in height after flowering differed with planting date only in the heat-tolerant accessions and was highest in December. Differences in fibre yield were not significant among accessions when planted in August, but differed significantly in April and December. On the average, fibre yield was highest in December and lowest in August. A grouping of the accessions based on their responses to daylength for both years of study was consistent. The implications of these findings in development of agronomically superior varieties and production of raw materials all round the year in Nigeria are discussed.

SUMMARY Experiments were conducted on six newly developed Quality Protein Maize (QPM) lines to assess their lysine and tryptophan levels, and their suitability for cultivation in major agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The results showed that the QPM lines varied from one to another, with respect to crude protein, zein dry matter, crude zein, lysine and tryptophan (P<0.01). Percentage crude protein varied between 6.22 and 8.75%, while % lysine and tryptophan were in the range of 3.31 to 3.72 and 0.49 to 0.87 respectively. Lysine was positively correlated to zein, while tryptophan was positively correlated with crude protein. There was a Location effect for plant height, while Variety x Location interaction was found for days to 50% silking (P<0.05). Mean grain yields across varieties and locations ranged between 0.25 (Amakama) and 4.50t/ha (Ibadan). ART98-SW6-OB and ILE1-OB appeared to be superior with higher lysine and tryptophan contents. Other agronomic and biochemical details of the QPM were discussed.

Experiments were conducted on six newly developed Quality Protein Maize (QPM) lines to assess their lysine and tryptophan levels, and their suitability for cultivation in major agro-ecological zones of Nigeria. The results showed that the QPM lines varied from one to another, with respect to crude protein, zein dry matter, crude zein, lysine and tryptophan (P<0.01). Percentage crude protein varied between 6.22 and 8.75%, while % lysine and tryptophan were in the range of 3.31 to 3.72 and 0.49 to 0.87 respectively. Lysine was positively correlated to zein, while tryptophan was positively correlated with crude protein. There was a Location effect for plant height, while Variety x Location interaction was found for days to 50% silking (P<0.05). Mean grain yields across varieties and locations ranged between 0.25 (Amakama) and 4.50t/ha (Ibadan). ART98-SW6-OB and ILE1-OB appeared to be superior with higher lysine and tryptophan contents. Other agronomic and biochemical details of the QPM were discussed.

Root and stem explants of fluted pumpkin were cultured in medium containing different types and concentrations of plant growth regulators (PGRs). The explants were observed for callus, root and shoot formation parameters after four months. Differences among explants, plant growth regulators and their interaction were not significant for number of roots per plantlet. Callus formation was higher in stem than root explants. Stem explants formed more callus in medium containing naphthalene acetic acid than that containing indole acetic acid while the trend was opposite with root explants. Root explants did not form shoots, leaves or nodes in any of the PGR regimes, while a concentration of 1.5 mg/l benzylaminopurine (BAP) induced the highest numbers of shoots, nodes and leaves per stem explant. There was no callus, shoot, node and leaf formation by both explants when cultured in medium without PGRs while root formation was minimal.

Striga is a parasitic green plant commonly found on maize, sorghum, millet and cowpea especially on nitrogen depleted soils. It reduces grain yield in susceptible host crops by 20-80%. Research efforts is therefore concentrated on development of resistant/tolerant cultivars to control Striga. Seven Striga tolerant open pollinated (OP) maize, one resistant hybrid and one susceptible maize were evaluated under artificial infestation with Striga inoculum in Temidire Eruwa, Nigeria (a Striga lutea endemic area) in year 2001, 2002 and 2003. Results from this trial showed that, year and year x variety interaction were highly significant for many of the Striga and maize agronomic traits under Striga infested and uninfested conditions. Years of evaluation were also significantly different for varietal performance with respect to maize agronomic characters with varieties such as Acr97STR syn-Y, Acr 97TZL comp 1D, STR-EV 1WD, STR.EV 1WF, Advance NCRE-STR, TZB-STR and Hybrid 9022 have been responsible for the significant differences. Advance NCRE-STR, Hybrid 9022 and Acr97STR syn-Y recorded were Striga tolerant with higher grain yields and can therefore be nominated for on-farm trial for possible release and adoption to boost maize production.

ABSTRACT A socio-economic survey of production systems was carried out in four out of the eight states that make up the southwest agricultural zone of Nigeria. A total of 157 minor grain legume farmers selected by multi-stage sampling were interviewed using structured questionnaires. The study shows that lima bean, pigeon pea, African yam bean, and bambara groundnut are the prominent minor grain legumes grown on less than 10% of the total cultivated land area. The minor grain legumes are grown on an average land size ranging from 0.2 to 0.4ha and predominantly in mixture with crops like cassava, maize, yam, sorghum, cocoyam, etc. The use of modern inputs like herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, and improved varieties is uncommon in minor legume production systems. The cultivation of these legumes is more popular among the older members of the farming communities, about 78% of which are above 40 years of age. The average yield of the legumes on farms is considerably low, estimated at 271kg/ha, 265kg/ha, 174kg/ha, and 275kg/ha for lima bean, pigeon pea, African yambean, and bambara groundnut, respectively. Major constraints identified by the farmers include low market demand, inadequate seed supply, high cost of labour, and low yield. Research work is therefore needed in agronomy and breeding for improved yield and utilization for expanded market and, consequently, increased production.

In a bid to develop protocols for micropropagation of fluted pumkin (Telfairia occidentalis), single node cuttings of two genotypes, Telfairia occidentalis white and Telfairia occidentalis orange (ToW-1 and ToR-1 respectively) were cultured in Murashige and Skoog medium but with four different combinations of kinetin and naphthalene acetic acid concentrations. The highest number of nodes per plantlet was obtained in the medium containing l=litre2.0mg/1 kinetin which indicates suitability for micropropagation purposes. There was however, lack of root formation. Premature senescence was also significantly predminant in ToR-1 relative to ToW1. Optimum medium for Telfairia micropropagation appears to be genotype dependent. Key Words: Telfairia, micropropagation.

Seven early maturing open pollinated (OP) and five yellow hybrid maize varieties were evaluated in 1996 under the auspices of the Nationally Coordinated Research Project (NCRP) on Maize. The experiment was conducted in 22 locations representing the different agro-ecologies of Nigeria. Significant location effects were observed for grain yield in the two sets of maize varieties tested. Grain yield was significantly higher in the northern/southern guinea savanna agro-ecologies when compared to the other agro-ecologies. Highly significant varietal differences were found among the OPs and the yellow hybrids. The highest yielding OP variety was TZE Comp.4 DMR BC1 with an average grain yield of 2.43 t ha-1 while the best yellow hybrid was 8522-2 with a mean grain yield of 2.82 t ha-1. Comparison of the results of the OPs and the hybrids showed that the hybrid had an average of 18.2% yield advantage over the OPs. The hybrid maize varieties and four of the seven OPs were found to be stable in grain production across the locations. Significant genotype x location interaction was also observed for both sets of maize varieties. The best hybrid (8522-2) combined stability with high grain yield and wide adaptability. This variety may thus be introduced to farmers throughout the country. RÉSUMÉ Sept variétés librement pollinisés précoces (OPs) et cinq variétés d'hybrides jaunes de maïs ont été évaluées en 1996 sous les auspices du Project National de Coordination de Recherche pour le maïs. L'essai a été conduit dans 22 localités représentant les differentes régions agro-écologiques du Nigeria. Des effets significatifs de localités ont été observés pour le rendement grain dans les deux groupes de variétés de maïs testés. Le rendement grain était significativement plus élevé dans les zones nord/sud de la savanne guinéene comparativement aux autres régions. Des differences variétales significativement très élevées ont été trouvées entre les OPs et les hybrides jaunes. La variété OP au plus haut rendement était TZE Comp. 4 DMRBC1 avec un rendement moyen de 2.45 t ha-1 alors que le meuilleur hybride jaune était 8522-2 avec un rendement moyen de 2.82 t ha-1. La comparaison des résultats des variétés OPs et des hybrides jaunes a montré une moyenne de 18.2% d'avantage de rendement sur les OPs. Les variétés d'hybrides jaunes et les quatre des sept OPs ont été trouvées plus stables en production des graines à travers les localités. Une interaction entre génotype et environnement était significative pour les deux groupes de variétés de maïs. Le meilleur hybride (8522-2) combinait la stabilité avec le rendement élevé et une large adaptabilité. Cette variété peut être introduite aux agriculteurs à travers tout le pays. (Af Crop Science and Production: 2001 9(4): 685-692)

Four cultivars of cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) were grown in 15 sets of conditions (environments) i.e. in several monthly plantings in each of three years. Data for seed yield were analysed to investigate the effectiveness of using planting dates in preliminary yield trials of new cultivars. Extremely significant environment mean squares and wide ranges of environmental indices (− 13.3 to 23.5) and seed yield (11.4 to 48.2 g plant−1) indicated real differences among environments. Stability analyses of the cultivar × environment interactions suggest that, where limited funds preclude the use of several locations, monthly plantings for two or more years could be used effectively in the preliminary evaluation of cultivars without losing much information on their relative ranking.