Maize is a staple food of sub-Saharan African (SSA) populace but deficient in protein. Quality protein maize (QPM) has been developed to contain essential amino acids including lysine and tryptophan to alleviate malnutrition in SSA. This study was conducted to assess general and specific combining ability (GCA and SCA) effects, gene actions and heterosis among QPM hybrids for lysine and tryptophan at three locations in humid agro-ecologies of Nigeria. Grains from sib-mated full-sibs were analysed for lysine and tryptophan among ten inbreds, 45 hybrids generated by half-diallel and two checks. Results showed lysine and tryptophan contents ranged from 2.71% - 0.73% (Kishi) to 3.41% - 0.96% (Ibadan). Gene actions for expression of lysine and tryptophan varied with location; thus, additive gene action was preponderance in inheritance of lysine and tryptophan in Ibadan and Ile-Ife, whereas non-additive gene action was involved in inheritance of these traits in Kishi. Inbreds TZEEQI-8, TZEEQI3, TZEEQI-10, TZEEQI-12, TZEEQI-2 were best combiners for lysine and tryptophan. Hybrids TZEEQI-8?TZEEQI-16, TZEEQI-2?TZEEQI-12, TZEEQI 10?TZEEQI-7,TZEEQI-10?TZEEQI-12 and TZEEQI-8?TZEEQI-12 were adjudged as the top five hybrids for exhibiting positive and significant standard heterosis over commercial check with a range of 12.8%-16.7% for lysine and 15.4%-20.0% for tryptophan across locations. The relationship between grain yield with lysine and tryptophan was negative and significant across locations. Hence, breeding for high yielding QPM genotypes with high lysine and tryptophan contents at the same time, requires careful monitoring of lysine and tryptophan contents in the laboratory.

Periodic evaluation and identification of promising inbreds in hybrid combinations for higher yields of extra-early quality protein maize (QPM) is important to mitigate the effects of climate change on food security in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This study was carried out to assess general and specific combining ability (GCA, SCA) effects and gene actions involved in the inheritance of grain yield (GY) and other agronomic traits. Ten QPM inbreds were crossed in a diallel scheme, and the resulting 45 single-cross hybrids were evaluated at three locations for two years in southwestern agro-ecologies of Nigeria. Results obtained revealed both GCA and SCA effects were significant for GY and all agronomic traits, across locations, implying importance of both additive and non-additive genetic actions, while a low σ2GCA:σ2SCA ratio (< 1) was recorded for GY and most of the traits, indicating a preponderance of non-additive gene action (dominance gene effect). A high average degree of dominance (ậ > 1) was recorded in GY and most of the agronomic traits. This suggests the presence of overdominance in these traits. Inbreds TZEEQI-10, TZEEQI-12, TZEEQI-9, TZEEQI-7, and TZEEQI-16 were the best combiners in hybrid combinations for GY and most of the agronomic traits. These promising inbreds would contribute favorable alleles for improving GY of QPM hybrids. Hybrid TZEEQI-9 × TZEEQI-16 was adjudged to be the best for GY and most agronomic traits, which can be released to farmers to alleviate malnutrition and food insecurity in SSA.

Maize productivity in Nigeria fluctuates over the years partly due to the use of seed lots with poor seed quality. The aim of this study was to assess problems associated with physiological quality for commercial maize seed lots in the Nigerian seed industry. Fifty samples of commercial maize seed-lots of the same variety, 'Sammaz 15', were collected from 50 seed companies across the country. Moisture content, standard germination, bulk conductivity, accelerated ageing, seedling vigour and field seedling emergence tests were performed on the seeds. The assessments were conducted in two consecutive years. Across the years, mean seed moisture content was 10.6%, germination was 93.7%, bulk conductivity was 8.10 μS cm -1 g -1 and 1000-seed weight was 245.2 g. Mean values for length of mesocotyl, coleoptile, primary leaf, shoot and root were 30.7, 35.6, 65.1, 97.7 and 210.5 mm, respectively. Mean values for field emergence and accelerated ageing were 88.5 and 68.8%, respectively. There were significant correlations between germination percentage, bulk conductivity, accelerated ageing germination percentage and ageing index and field emergence. Correlations with moisture content were poor. The ageing test showed that storability was low. Breeders should select for seed with good storability to ensure quality maize seed production.

Cowpea [Vigna ungiculata (L.) Walp] production is affected by numerous constraints such as insect pests, diseases (fungal, viral, and bacterial), poor soil fertility, metal toxicity, drought, and excessive rainfall. The high cost of input, especially pesticides, also contributes to the reduction of cowpea yield potential in sub-Saharan Africa. 'ARTPEA-204B' (Reg. no. CV-351, PI 702792; National code NGVU-22-38), also known as Modupe, was developed through a cross between 'Ife Brown' and a wild cowpea landrace and release by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2022. It was bred for early maturing, high grain and fodder yield, and reduced insecticidal spray for the southern agro-ecologies of Nigeria. ARTPEA-204B along with Ife Brown and other cowpea lines were evaluated under farmer's management conditions in an on-farm trial conducted in 30 communities in 15 local government areas of Ondo, Ekiti, Osun, and Oyo States in 2021 under farmers' condition. ARTPEA-204B is early maturing (69-72 days), high-yielding fodder (4500 kg/ha) and grain (1.29 t/ha), photoperiod insensitive, reduce spray, and adaptable to all agro-ecologies in southern Nigeria. ARTPEA-204B cowpea is very early in maturity.ARTPEA-204B cowpea is resistant to anthracnose, bacterial blight, and tolerant to brown blotch.ARTPEA-204B cowpea is broadly adaptable across southern agro-ecologies of Nigeria.

Due to high cost, limited labour, and longer time required in hybrid development, identifying promising hybrids at an early stage without large-scale yield trials is crucial. Therefore this study estimated heterosis of quality protein maize hybrids for grain yield (GY) and other agronomic traits and investigated relationship of genetic and phenotypic distances (GD, PD) of inbreds with hybrid performance (HP) and mid-and-better parent heterosis (MPH, BPH). Forty-five hybrids generated by half-diallel with 10 inbreds were evaluated for GY and other agronomic traits at three locations. The yield trials were conducted for two years (2017 and 2018 cropping seasons). The GD and PD were 0.45 and 0.40 based on SSR and phenotypic data, respectively, this shows moderate genetic variation existed among inbreds. GY had highest MPH (77.55%) and BPH (53.96%) with hybrid TZEEQI-9 x TZEEQI-16 having highest MPH (382.8%) and BPH (331.7%), across locations. Positive and significant association existed between SSR-GD with HP, MPH and BPH for ear length, kernels/row and 100-seed weight (r = 0.31** to 0.41**), this suggests these traits can be predicted from SSR-based GD of parents. These traits could be used for indirect selection for yield improvement. However, negative correlation was obtained between SSR-GD with HP, MPH and BPH for anthesis and silking (r = -0.29 to -0.03), this indicates the dominance for earliness to flowering and silking than their parental lines. The two distance measures can be used to differentiate between maize inbreds and assigned them to different heterotic groups and Breeders can therefore prioritize crosses with high heterosis and desirable phenotypic traits, saving time, resources, and field space.

Brown blotch disease, caused by Colletotrichum truncatum (Schew), is one of the most destructive diseases affecting cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] in the humid agro-ecologies of southwestern Nigeria. Development of resistant or tolerant cowpea cultivars was identified as the most economical and effective means of addressing the threat of this disease. Two improved cowpea cultivars, 'ARTPEA/BBT/72/B' (Reg. no. CV-347, PI 700856; also known as Remilekun) and 'ARTPEA/BBT/22/W' (Reg. no. CV-346, PI 700855; also known as Boluyo) (National Code numbers NGVU-22-41 and NGVU-22-42), were developed through the pedigree breeding method from reciprocal crosses between IT-95K-193-12 and 'Ife-Brown' and released by the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Nigeria, in 2022. They were bred for early maturity, high yield, and enhanced tolerance to brown blotch disease in the humid agro-ecologies of southwestern Nigeria. ARTPEA/BBT/72/B and ARTPEA/BBT/22/W along with their parents and other breeding lines were evaluated in 10 locations for 2 yr on 16 farmers' fields between 2020 and 2021. ARTPEA/BBT/72/B (Remilekun) and ARTPEA/BBT/22/W (Boluyo) are tolerant to brown blotch disease, early maturing (60-75 d), high yielding (1-1.2 t/ha), non-photoperiod sensitive, and adaptable to Nigeria's humid agro-ecologies. They can be cultivated twice a year for enhanced cowpea production in Nigeria.

Aims: Identification of promising resistant parents against stem borer infestation for the development of high yielding maize hybrids. Study Design: Ten yellow maize genotypes selected for yield potential and durable level of tolerance to stem borer infestation were used in this study. A stem borer resistant yellow maize variety was crossed with nine stem borer (not necessarily resistant) maize varieties in a top-cross mating design. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in 2017 and 2018 at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, OAU, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methodology: The resulting nine F1 hybrids along with the ten parents were evaluated under irrigation using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in a stem borer endemic area. Data collected were subjected to combined analysis of variance (ANOVA), principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering analyses. Results: Results obtained showed significant differences for year and genotype, as well as their interaction for some traits measured. Maize varieties were delineated into three groups. The first two PCA with Eigen values greater than 1.0 accounted for 73.0% of the variation; where PC1 was responsible for 52.5% of the variation and was associated with percentage stem borer infestation, leaf damage, plant aspect, stem tunneling ratio and dead heart. PC2 accounted for 20.5% and associated with only grain yield (GY). Also, maize hybrids had higher GY and better resistance to stem borer than their parents by 24.3% and -14.3%, respectively. BR9928-DMR-SR-Y was identified as resistant to stem borer with high GY in hybrid combinations. Positive and significant correlation was obtained among infestation parameters. Conclusion: Genes from promising donor parents may be introgressed into other desirable maize germplasm for the development of stem borer resistant maize hybrids.

Rapidity of improvement of cowpea cultivars often depends on the level of success achieved in the introgression of desirable gene(s) into varieties that are susceptible to biotic and abiotic stresses. This research work aimed at generating hybrids that possess resistant gene(s) to brown blotch disease as well as maintaining its brown seed coat, early maturing and high yield potentials. A mapping population was developed using single seed descent method of breeding between susceptible (Ife brown) and resistant (IT-95K-193-12) cowpea varieties to brown blotch disease. Hybrid seeds generated were inoculated with Colletotrichum truncatum and evaluated. A total of 356 crosses were made in direct (Ife brown × IT-95K-193-12) and reciprocal (IT-95K-193-12 × Ife brown) crosses. Only 8.43% percentage successful crosses were obtained. Seed coat colour was controlled by at least two genes and brown blotch was governed by maternal effect. Some of the hybrids generated possessed resistant gene(s) to brown blotch disease especially when IT-95K-193-12 was used as female parent and most of the hybrids were high yielding and early maturing especially among hybrids that originated when Ife brown was used as female parent.

Increasing demand, soil cultivation pressure and adverse climate change effects necessitated maize production in nitrogen stress soils. This study examined the general combining ability (GCA) of 12 maize inbreds and specific combining ability of their crosses for agronomic traits under varied nitrogen conditions. GCA accounted for 53% of the variation for grain yield (GY) under stress and 40% under optimal condition. GCA contributed over 59% for days to anthesis (DTA) and days to silking (DTS), anthesis-silking-interval (ASI) and ear aspect (EASP) under both conditions. BD74-165 and BD74-161 had positive significant GCA for GY under stress with TZEI12 under optimal and BD74-222 under both conditions. TZEI13 and TZEI16 had positive significant GCA for DTA and ASI under stress, and TZEI12, TZEI11 and BD74-161 under optimal. Additive genes control DTA, DTS and PH; non-additive genes were responsible for ASI, PASP and EASP while both additive and non-additive genes governed inheritance of GY, EH and leaf-senescence (SEN) under stress. Inheritance of GY, ASI, PH, PASP and EASP were due to non-additive genes; DTA and DTS to additive genes while additive and non-additive genes control EH and SEN under opti­mal condition. Inbreds with significant GCA can be parents for GY improvement under respective conditions. Keywords: Combining ability; diallel; low nitrogen; maize lines; stress tolerance

Presence of genotypic differences in maize ( Zea mays L.) grain yield in multi-environments would help plant breeders to make logical decisions in improvement programmes of the crop. Hence, the grain yield performance, heterosis and stability in hybrid maize in varied soil nitrogen (N) conditions in Nigeria were assessed using multiple biometrical techniques. Grain yield performance, heterosis and stability of 150 single cross hybrid maize were assessed with checks in severe N stress, N stress and optimal conditions in a replicated trial laid out in 19 × 8 lattice design for 2 years. The grain yield was subjected to analysis of variance for each N condition and combined across years. Heterosis was estimated for the trait, additive mean effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI); and genotype + genotype × environment (GGE) models were used to analyse the hybrids’ yield stability. The AMMI captured 93.7%; while GGE bi-plot accounted for 88.7% of total variation among the hybrids. Eight hybrids had high yields across the N conditions. Genotypes and environments affected heterosis for grain yield. Hybrids TZEI7×BD74-399, BD74-179×BD74-55 and BD74-175×BD74-147 were the most ideal genotypes for the N conditions; while severe N stress condition was ideal test environment. Hybrid BD74-170×BD74-31 adapted most to N stress; while TZEI1×BD74-399 adapted most to severe N stress and to optimal conditions. Based on yield, heterosis and stability, hybrids involving inbred line BD74-171 were recommended for N stress; while those with inbred lines TZEI1, TZEI4 BD74-170, BD74-128, BD74-179 and BD74-175 were adapted to N stress and optimal conditions. Key words: AMMI, GGE biplot, Zea mays

In order to fast track and compliment conventional maize breeding programme designed for low nitrogen (N) environments, seeds of eight low soil N-tolerant maize lines were sown in the field under no nitrogen and 40 kgN/ha for in vivo evaluation with a view to develop simple protocols for screening maize lines for low nitrogen-efficient through tissue culture technique. Maize plants used for tissue culture (in vitro) were selfed, cobs were harvested fourteen days after pollination before the kernels were disinfected. The immature embryos were excised and cultured on modified Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS) containing 100% Nitrogen (1650 mg/l), 50% Nitrogen (825 mg/l), 25% Nitrogen (412.5 mg/l), 0% Nitrogen of normal ammonium nitrate in MS salt formulation. Results obtained revealed three lines (LNTP-YC6, TZPB Prol C3 and SW5-OB-BPR-1) had higher grain yield than other maize lines under no fertilizer (0 kgN/ha) and 40 kgN/ha fertilizer applications (P = 0.01) while two lines (TZPB Prol C3 and LAPOSTA SEQUIA C6) performed better than others with or without ammonium nitrate under in-vitro condition (P = 0.01). TZPB Prol C3 was consistent in both in-vitro and in-vivo conditions. Also, MS medium without ammonium nitrate appeared to be more suitable for screening for low N-tolerant maize genotypes.

Testing for cane and sucrose production potentials in more than one crop under less suitable condition is important to improve sugarcane's productivity. Thus, 12 sugarcane breeding lines were evaluated for agronomic performances and ratoon-ability in Forest-Savannah-Transition agro-ecology for two years. The trial was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replicates. Plant stands were counted at 3, 8 and 12 weeks after planting (WAP). Millable stalks (MLS) were sampled for brix percentage (BP) at 36, 40, 44 and 52 WAP. Cane stalks were harvested at 52 WAP when internodes and yield data were taken. The data collected were subjected to analysis of variance separately and combined for plant and ratoon crops. Means were separated using Least Significant Difference between crops and Duncan Multiple Ranged Test within crops. Significant differences exited in genotypes, crops and genotypes A— crops for germination counts (GC), tiller counts (TC), stem diameter (STD), total stalk counts (TSC), internode length (INL), total stalk weight (TSW), MLS and flower traits. B70607 had highest GC, TCs and TSC; Hat-4 and EBON-006 had highest STD while Akwa-005, CO1001, IMO-002 and TRITON were among those with highest stalk height. The B70607, DB37/145, F141, Hat-4 and IMO-002 had highest TSW in plant crop while Akwa 005, B70607, CO1001, EBON-006, Hat-4, IMO-002 and TRITON had the highest in ratoon crop. Brix percentage differed for plant and ratoon crops at 36 and 52 WAP, but effects of genotype A— crop were significant in all the sample periods. Genotype Cp65-357 had highest BP across the sampling periods. Performance of the ratoon crop at the formative stage was higher than that of the plant crop. Millable stalk was 20% and 14% of TC and TSC, respectively. B70607, IMO-002 and Hat-4 are suitable for both plant and ratoon crops while DB 37/145, Hat-4, IMO-002 and TRITON are identified for breeding purposes. Cp65-357 and CO1001 may be considered for higher ratoon-ability in more than one ratoon crops for their high sucrose content.

Hybrid tomato production is a rare adventure in many developing countries; also while many believe that more than enough quantity of tomato is annually produced; little or no cognisance is taken that farmers are compelled to grow only the readily available materials. For cultural and economic returns, peasant farmers prefer the indeterminate tomatoes. This experiment was carried out at Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University Farm (ATBU), Bauchi; in the northern Guinea savannah. In the experiment, different crosses using five varieties of tomato were made. Seeds of the five tomato parents and F1 plants of the six crosses making eleven genotypes were sown in the field in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with two replications. The following were observed: (i) heterosis/dominance expressed in the crosses that involved determinate x indeterminate in favour of fruit plantand of seed fruit(ii) cytoplasmic gene expression. Therefore more elaborate and extensive trials are required to ensure that tomato seed security receives

Multi-location trial data obtained between 2007 and 2014 involving open pollinated varieties (OPVs) and hybrid maize (Zea mays L.) were analysed using GGE (Genotype and Genotype x Environment) and AMMI (Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction) models to assess their performance and suitability as cultivars, and identify promising genotypes and sites for further evaluations in the different locations of the southern Guinea savanna of Nigeria. The experiments were set up as a randomized complete block design with three replications in all the locations. The plot size consisted of two rows, 5m long with inter and intra row spacing of 0.75m x 0.4m for the early maturing varieties and 0.75m x 0.5m for intermediate/late maturing varieties and hybrids. Two seeds were planted/hill to give a plant population of approximately 66,000 plants/ha (early) and 54,000 plants/ha (intermediate/late). Data were collected on agronomic and yield parameters. The environment accounted for 84.80% and 90.42% of the total variation in grain yield of OPVs and hybrids, respectively. TZE-Y-DT STR C4 (early OPV) and white-DT-STRSYN (intermediate/late OPV), TZE-W-Pop-DT STR-C5 (early maturing hybrids) and TZEEI 3 x TZEEI 46 (extra early genotype) were the most stable and high yielding. The core test locations for evaluation of early OPVs, intermediate/late OPVs and hybrids are Ilorin/Ballah, Ejiba/Mokwa and Kishi/Badeggi, respectively. This study recommends that fewer but better locations that provide relevant information should be used for conducting multilocation trials and TZE-Y-DT STR C4, white-DT-STR-SYN, TZE-W-Pop-DT STR-C5 and TZEEI 3 x TZEEI 46 should be further evaluated on farmer fields.

The soils of South western Nigeria are rapidly degrading due to nutrient mining, soil loss, inappropriate land use, low inherent soil fertility coupled with adverse effects of climate change. These have resulted to persistent low yields and farmers’ poverty. The current farming systems have failed to improve continuous decline in crop production. There is need for integrated approach that involves mineral fertilizer, organic resources, and improved crop varieties with sound agronomic practices if the region will be able to feed its population of over 35 million people. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) is an all-encompassing resource management technique that embraces the use of good planting materials, with appropriate organic and/or inorganic fertilizer application or their integrated use. It also entails adapting the various combinations of the ISFM components to local conditions which by implication means site specific management. There is lack of coordinated information about the components of ISFM being used in SWN and most stakeholders have not appreciated the importance of integrated approach. This paper is therefore put forward to review the status of Integrated Soil Fertility Management in South western Nigeria in order to identify knowledge gap for sustainable crop production in the region.

There is growing interest for yellow maize among farmers and the food and feed industries in West Africa. Testing of maize hybrids in multi‐location trials is crucial for identifying adapted high‐yielding candidates for quick release. This study was designed to evaluate yield stability of three‐way cross yellow maize hybrids across 17 diverse environments in the savannas of West Africa. Highly significant differences ( P < 0.001) were observed among hybrids across locations. The interaction between genotypes and environments was significant for grain yield and most other agronomic traits, with high repeatability (0.68) for grain yield across the test environments. The hybrid A1001‐19 was found to be the highest yielding, with yield advantage of 10% over the commercial hybrid Oba Super 2. The genotype, genotype by environment biplot identified hybrid A1001‐7 as the most stable hybrid with above‐average grain yield, followed by A1001‐10. However, A1001‐19 was relatively stable and was the best hybrid in 12 of the 17 environments across Mali, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Kudu and Zaria 2013 were the most discriminating locations for the hybrids. The stable yield performance of A1001‐7 and A1001‐10, and to a larger extent A1001‐19, would benefit farmers and seed producers with limited capacity to handle single‐cross hybrids. Hybrid A1001‐10 was released by partners, and hybrids A1001‐7 and A1001‐19 have been evaluated in national performance and on‐farm trials for potential release. This would provide more food for resource‐poor farmers and raw materials for food and feed industries and would result in increased household incomes of smallholder farmers in West Africa. Core Ideas There is growing interest for yellow maize among farmers, food, and feed industries. Testing maize hybrids in several locations is crucial for identifying best candidates. Highly significant differences were observed among the hybrids across 17 locations. Three hybrids were relatively stable across locations compared with a commercial hybrid. These will benefit producers with limited capacity to handle single‐cross hybrids.

Genetic variability of agronomic traits of crops broadens the gene pool of crops. Repeatability and genetic ad- vance determine the effectiveness of selection in breeding programme. Hence, phenotypic and genotypic vari- ances, genotypic coefficient of variation, repeatability and expected genetic advance were estimated for three flowering and six morphological traits of white kernel low nitrogen donor maize inbred lines. Significant difference existed in the nine traits. Genotypic and phenotypic variances were equal for floral traits. Thus, gene actions for the traits was additive. Repeatability was high for the nine traits. In addition to high repeatability, anthesis-silking interval showed high genetic advance with high coefficient of variation suggesting its efficiency for selection. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations of grain yield with each of days to anthesis, plant height, ear height, leaf area and number of ear per plant were positive and significant. Genetic effect for grain yield correlated with that of days to silking, but this was not for phenotypic effect. Any of these traits can be selected for grain yield and the lines studied were considered suitable as gene pool in maize breeding for nitrogen stress tolerance. Path analysis showed that days to silking, leaf area and ear per plant had high positive effect with grain yield of the crop.

It was observed, recently, that some of the controlled diseases are resurging and causing serious yield losses on maize farms. If the diseases outbreak goes beyond economic threshold, food security of the country which maize forms a significant part may be threatened. It is necessary to have information on the type of diseases and the extent of the outbreak in the states. This survey was conducted to confirm the outbreak, evaluate the damage rate in terms of incidence and severity of resurging diseases. Forty maize farms in five states (Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti and Kwara States) were visited to survey the incidence and severity of diseases on maize. The farms were visited in the second maize planting season October to November, 2013. Farmers were interviewed and other information gathered were on the location (coordinates) of the farms, weather condition, vulnerability of the plants to diseases infection (where farms were isolated), plant growth stage, size of the farms and cultural practices. Data were collected on the incidence and severity of all the diseases found on maize in the various farms. Assessment of these diseases on the farms showed that all the maize farms visited had very high incidence (89.6%) maize streak, (65.0%) rust, (83.30%) leafspot in the season considered. The incidence and severity of maize streak was between 40-100% and 2.0-5.0 respectively across the states surveyed. Maize leaf-spot disease existed on maize in all the farms visited in all the states. The infection recorded was between 0.0 and 100.0% incidence and 0.0 and 4.0 severity. Blight disease was about 20% in the farms visited; probably because of the season. All the farmers sampled (100%) reported that the occurrence of the diseases was prominent on their farms in the second season and that the outbreaks were associated with drought conditions or irregular rains which prevailed at the season in which the survey was carried out. They are aware that improved seed varieties exist, but they do not plant improved seeds because of scarcity (30%), high cost (20%) and ignorance (50%). This survey has shown that maize streak and rust are resurging and rapidly becoming serious problem, so urgent attention is needed to prevent the great yield loss posed to maize by these diseases.