ABSTRACT
Key challenges in maize breeding in sub-Saharan Africa Baffour Badu-Apraku, IITA, Nigeria; M.A.B. Fakorede and R.O. Akinwale, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
1 Introduction
2 Research facilities
3 Human resources
4 Use of tropical germplasm for maize improvement
5 Heterosis, heterotic grouping and identification of testers in maize germplasm
6 Application of new plant breeding techniques
7 Participatory plant breeding
8 Conclusion and future trends
9 Where to look for further information
10 References
Maize breeding in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has improved tremendously in the last two or three decades in terms of development, release and use of improved varieties. Through the efforts of international centres such as the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and International Center for Maize and Wheat Improvement (CIMMYT), and the strong partnership with and among the scientists working in National Agricultural Research Systems (NARS), farmers have access to improved maize varieties which are being used to address critical needs for food security, human nutrition and poverty alleviation. Despite the impressive growth and progress made in maize research, particularly in the NARS, many breeding programmes are still facing myriads of challenges which limit efficiency in their operations. These include lack of research facilities such as well-equipped laboratories and efficient irrigation systems, lack of well-trained personnel and funds to execute highthroughput techniques such as marker-assisted selection (MAS) technology.
